Decision: Helping Aging Loved Ones

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DECISIONS Tackling the tough choices of caring for your aging loved ones HEALTH CARE • LEGAL AFFAIRS FINANCES • REAL ESTATE WELLNESS

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S2 March 28, 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2-3

LEGAL AFFAIRS • Discuss advanced directives now to avoid confusion later • Keep an eye on upcoming legislative changes

5-6

HEALTH CARE • Aging at home can be possible with the right accommodations • Who will make your medical decisions?

• From medical bills to care, providing support and guidance is essential

7-8

WELLNESS

9-10

FINANCE

•

• Be on guard, don’t be a target Invest the time to plan for caregiving’s effect on finances

11

REAL ESTATE • Staying at home isn’t always the best choice

SPONSORS AND CONTENT RESOURCES: Altenheim Senior Living Alzheimer's Association Cleveland Area Chapter Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center ErieView Consulting Home Care Assistance Hospice of the Western Reserve Jennings Center for Older Adults Laketran McGregor Meyer Wilson North Coast Community Homes Reminger Co. LPA Visiting Angels Visiting Nurse Association

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Discuss advanced directives now to avoid confusion later

M

any individuals at some point during their lives are witness to the slow cognitive and health declines of a loved one caused by stroke, dementia or another debilitating health event.

Grandma’s independence wanes. She still has good days, but the bad days are becoming more prevalent.

So when does a power of attorney take over, making it possible for another to make health and financial decisions on her behalf?

“It’s a big gray area,” says Rebecca Zeiter, helpline coordinator at the Alzheimer’s Association Cleveland Area Chapter. “We get a lot of calls on our 800-help line. Mom can’t manage the finances, and every time I try and step in, she gets mad at me.”

A team approach is the optimal way of addressing these types of situations, Zeiter says.

“It’s so important to involve the doctor,” she says. “A doctor makes the determination on whether a loved one has the capacity to make decisions.”

But that’s easier said than done. “We tend to find that doctors don’t want to be the ones determining that their patient can no longer make his or her own decisions,” she says. “Doctors need to be the ones educating the families, especially if there’s a change in the brain.”

Only 45% of individuals with Al-

‘‘

zheimer’s disease or their caregivers report being told of the diagnosis, while 90% of people with the four most common types of cancer are informed of the diagnosis, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

New provisions to Medicare are intended to address the role of advanced directives in health and longterm care. The recent changes allow for physicians to be reimbursed for having conversations with their Medicare patients about advanced care planning.

“This can be a general discussion, like have you thought about what’s important and who can care for you,” says Bill Finn, president and CEO of Hospice of the Western Reserve.

“The whole idea is that the doctor and patient are on same page. The longer we wait to make these decisions, the more complicated it becomes.”

Indeed, according to a survey published in the January 2014 American Journal of Preventive Medicine, only 26.3% of the more than 7,900 respondents had an advance directive.

Lack of awareness was cited as the most common reason a person did not have those plans in place.

The Midwest Care Alliance, a Columbus-based nonprofit that promotes palliative care programs, offers an advanced directives packet that contains both Ohio Living Will and

Health Care Power of Attorney forms.

“A discussion surrounding a durable power of attorney is one of the most important discussions we can have early on,” Finn says.

For those individuals resistant to confronting these issues, both Hospice of Western Reserve and the Alzheimer’s Association offer resources to help guide families toward decision-making.

Zeiter offers these key talking points for adult children who are uncertain about how to introduce this conversation with their aging loved ones: “You are filling these forms out so you can dictate your wishes.”

Older adults who survived the Great Depression have a “pull yourselves up from the bootstraps, you can handle it” mentality, she says. “Approach the conversation by emphasizing they are filling out these forms so they can manage their own future instead of leaving it up to someone else to decide for them. Their voice is still being heard in the health care community.” n

Involve a neutral party, like a doctor or a bank. “We love our families, but emotions can run high when people differ on opinion,” Zeiter says. “The emotions may be more restrained with a third party present.” n

Approach the conversation by emphasizing they are filling out these forms so they can manage their own future instead of leaving it up to someone else to decide for them.

‘‘

•

• Signs your loved one needs help Outlets to keep your loved ones busy and active

REBECCA ZEITER, helpline coordinator, Alzheimer’s Association Cleveland Area Chapter

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Keep an eye on upcoming legislative changes

H

ealth care laws and policies that impact elder care are constantly changing. Allison McMeechan, an attorney who specializes in elder law and special needs planning at Reminger Co., suggests keeping an eye on the following laws, which “are getting a lot of attention in legal circles,” she says.

MEDICAID SPEND DOWN CHANGE Ohio is joining most states in transitioning from a 209B state to a 1634 state, as authorized by the Social Security Act. What this means is that individuals who are eligible for Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, will no longer have to file a separate application for Medicaid.

They will automatically be enrolled. The law also eliminates the Medicaid spenddown requirement, which mandated that individuals whose income was higher than a Special Income Limit, currently $2,200 per month, had to prove that they had spent their income over the threshold on medical expenses before they could receive Medicaid benefits. Instead, Ohio will now require Medicaid recipients to deposit any income above the threshold into a Miller Trust, which will be used for medical expenses. “So if my income is $3,000 a month, I’ll have to put that $800 into the trust to reduce my income and still qualify for Medicaid,” McMeechan says. “This law will affect thousands of people.” The transition is expected to be complete in July.

an effort by Congress to provide funds that directly address elder abuse and support adult protective services.

Funding for fiscal years 2011-15 was $4 million. That allocation has doubled in 2016, to $8 million, in the appropriations

LITIGATION

package. The law helps coordinate response to elder abuse between state and federal agencies, and supports improved data collection through unified Adult Protective Services databases.

SAVINGS FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES Signed into law in December 2014, the ABLE Act allows each state to create tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities. “The money grows tax-free, just like a 529,” McMeechan says. “It doesn’t affect the public benefits that individuals are receiving.” So, someone who’s disabled

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March 28, 2016 S3

won’t jeopardize Medicaid benefits.

The goal is to use the money to pay for qualified expenses, like medical bills.

“Just don’t overfund the account and use it as a long-term savings account because it doesn’t work that way,” McMeechan says. “If the individual passes away and there’s a remaining balance, the money goes back to the state to offset Medicaid expenditures.”

The individual must have been diagnosed with a disability before age 26 to qualify. This savings vehicle should be available by mid-2016.

SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST FAIRNESS ACT

Currently, only parents, grandparents, courts or a legal guardian can establish a special needs trust for a loved one.

But these federal guidelines leave out the beneficiary. “Some individuals may have only physical disabilities, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have the mental or cognitive capacity to create their own trust,” she says. What this amendment to Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act allows is for individuals under age 65 to create a special needs trust and deposit funds into the trust for supplemental income, which won’t count against could deposit up to $14,000 a year into her Medicaid income requirements an ABLE account. A balance up to and coverage. The bill passed the U.S. $100,000 will not impact SSI benefits, Senate and now is under consideration Crains_VNAO.4x6.pdf 1 3/7/16 9:08 AM in the U.S. House of Representatives. while a maximum value of $414,000

Your best friend just asked you to be her health care power of attorney.

Now what?

Now, sit down and have a real discussion about what she wants if the worst happens. Would she want to be kept alive no matter what? What if she was no longer able to breathe on her own; if she was permanently unconscious?

By completing her health care power of attorney and living will, she is taking control of her healthcare decisions. As her health care power of attorney, you will be her voice if she can’t speak for herself.

After her advance directives are complete, ask her to return the favor. After all, that’s what besties are for.

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Aging at home can be possible with the right accommodations

A

ging in place is a hot topic.

Health care costs are escalating.

People are living longer, which means an increasing number of adults are exploring ways in which they can remain at home and manage their health as affordably as possible.

“The construction industry will have to react to the aging baby boomer population,” says Scott Michaels, owner of Solon-based Home Care Assistance.

“We’re starting to see nascent trends emerge, like wider hallways and accessible home features. I think activity in the (home modification) market will increase over the next five to 10 years.”

The trend is what prompted North Coast Community Homes, a provider of housing for individuals with disabilities and mental illness, to establish about a year and a half ago an ancillary business, North Coast Accessible Homes.

“Most of our conversations are with adult children. Financial savings is the main driver of our inquiries,” says Dick Russ, vice president of resource development. “The cost savings depends on a few factors, but you can easily get to $80,000 a year paying for a long-term care facility. But making the necessary adjustments to a home can be a one-time investment of $5,000 to widen hallways, on up to $40,000 to make a home completely accessible.”

The home health care industry is expected to grow as the idea of “aging in place” gains a foothold in the marketplace. Total home health spending in 2016 is expected to grow 7.1%, reaching $99.5 billion. That number is expected to rise 58%, to $157.2 billion by 2022.

Demand also is rising for home health aides who can help with nonmedical home care services, such as bathing, dressing and eating. In fact, home health aides represent the fastest-growing occupation in the Cleveland metropolitan statistical area between 2012 and 2022, with a projected increase of 38.3%.

The focus on home-based health care also has implications for the technology industry.

“Technology is moving out of the hospital and into the home,” Home Care Assistance’s Michaels says. “We’re seeing more remote monitoring.”

Changes in Medicare reimbursement policies are part of what’s driving the shift from institutional care to home health care, when it’s appropriate.

“Having more services at home is less expensive all around,” Michaels says.

Just be aware of the difference between home health care and home care, and whether insurance covers those services.

Generally, home health care refers to skilled services, including therapies

March 28, 2016 S5

Who will make your medical decisions?

By WILLIAM E. FINN

A

dvance care planning -- which in Ohio includes completion of Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will forms — empowers individuals to have a voice in their care by communicating health care choices at the end of life that reflect their ethical values and wishes. Having a written plan ensures preferences are honored should individuals be unable to speak for themselves. Just as im- Finn portantly, it saves families from the agonizing role of guessing what would be wanted during a lifethreatening medical emergency.

The Institute of Medicine’s recent report, “Dying in America,” identifies persistent major gaps in care near the end of life and cites advance care planning as a key area requiring urgent attention. The growing number of individuals in our region who have some combination of frailty, physical and cognitive disabilities, chronic illness and functional limitations make this study especially relevant in our community.

and medicine administration. These services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap and veterans insurance, and they are administered for a finite period of time until the recipient reaches a maximum state of recovery, says Kevin Johnson, certified senior adviser at Visiting Angels of Cleveland.

Home care services are defined as activities of daily living, such as toileting, dressing and transferring.

These services are not covered by Medicare, but are covered by veterans insurance and may be covered by Medicaid if the care recipient qualifies.

“This is where long-term insurance comes into play,” which would pay for home care and thereby allow the individual to remain in his or her home and still retain some level of independence, Johnson says.

Goals of care conversations Trusted medical professionals can — and should — play a pivotal role in educating individuals about the necessity and the process of communicating their preferences.

Unfortunately, many people do not know how to initiate conversations with their doctors or what questions

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The best time to begin talking and planning is well before an illness progresses to a life-threatening stage to allow time for calm and well-reasoned decisionmaking and talks with one’s family and physician. Hospice of the Western Reserve has created a booklet called “Courage in Conversation: A Personal Guide,” to help families begin important conversations about end-of-life care at any stage. It includes tips, helpful worksheets and all the legal forms required by the State of Ohio. Free copies of the booklet can be downloaded at www.hospicewr.org/decisions.

Good advance planning for health care decisions is really about values, priorities and quality of life. People want to share their memories, pass on wisdom and keepsakes, connect with their families and make some last contributions to the world. Ensuring choices about end-of-life care are in place can make those moments as fulfilling as possible.

Finn is president and CEO of the Hospice of the Western Reserve.

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From medical bills to care, providing support and guidance is essential

T

he notion of unexpectedly being thrust into a loved one’s personal affairs is unsettling and confusing. Karen Larry-Moyer recalls her experience with her own mother, which is what prompted her to start her own medical bill consultancy.

“My mom had a hip replacement and was moved to a long-term care facility for rehabilitation,” says Moyer, CEO of Northfield-based ErieView Consulting. “The stitches weren’t even healing, and already she was getting

stacks of medical bills. Were we just supposed to show up and give her this stack of bills when she’s trying to heal?

She would’ve been overwhelmed.”

Their situation is not unique, which is why Larry-Moyer and other industry professionals say designating a family member or other trusted individual to negotiate the health care system on a patient’s behalf is critical to managing overall medical and financial well-being.

When it comes to handling medical bills, Moyer suggests carefully sorting

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through the contents of each envelope.

Don’t allow your loved one to pay them all up front without analyzing them first, she says.

“There’s a cultural mentality in the older generations of paying the bills first, but challenging them later if something doesn’t look right,” Moyer says. “Once you pay the bill, the health care provider has no responsibility to follow up.”

Collate the bills. Staple together duplicates. Sort according to the provider and date of service.

“Just don’t let the bills stack up, because they don’t go away,” Moyer says. “They get worse. A lot of people go into bankruptcy because of medical bills.”

Of course, family members cannot arbitrarily step in. Health care providers will not disclose any information about a patient unless the person designated within the patient’s power of attorney is negotiating.

In terms of working with health care providers, be sure to keep your

loved one involved in the conversation as much as possible, according to AARP’s Caregiving Resource Center.

Write down questions in advance of an appointment, and consult a second opinion if necessary.

If a loved one has suffered a stroke and is unable to speak, try flashcards or communication boards to help her

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SIGNS YOUR LOVED ONE NEEDS HELP Sometimes, a loved one’s need for help is obvious, and other times, the need is gradual. Here are some common signs that indicate your loved one needs intervention, according to the Parkinson’s Resource Organization:

1

THE HOME IS UNKEMPT

A messy home signals the senior is not only physically unable to keep the home clean, but may be depressed.

2

CHANGES IN PERSONAL HYGIENE

4

SCORCHED POTS AND PANS

5

The individual’s clothes are dirty, and his hair is disheveled. Activities of daily living — including showering, laundry and teeth brushing — are becoming more difficult and infrequent.

3

this could mean the cookware burned as a result of being left on a flame for too long. This is a sign of short-term memory loss or Alzheimer’s disease.

These are red flags because

LOSS OF APPETITE

When shopping and cooking a meal becomes too overwhelming, a senior will forgo eating balanced meals. Ask your loved one to describe the last meal he had to make sure he is getting enough nutrition.

FORGETFULNESS

Not paying bills and forgetting to refill prescriptions are among the warning signs that a caregiver needs to step in.

Having advanced care directives in place ensures a more seamless transition into the next phase of an aging loved one’s life, when some type of assistance becomes inevitable.

“A simple discussion ahead of time can remove some of the suffering later on for the loved ones and the family,” says Bill Finn, CEO of Hospice of Western Reserve. “You can even talk about your future wishes and give instruction to your family in a non-threatening environment, like over dinner table at Thanksgiving. It’s easier to have these discussions when you’re healthy.”

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WELLNESS

Outlets to keep your loved ones busy and active L ife expectancy is climbing.

People are living longer and want to maximize all life has to offer, within realistic boundaries of their health and financial ability.

Aging, more than ever, is only a mindset.

The dramatic rise in life expectancy is driving the focus on the availability of diverse activities and interests for adults in the prime later years of their life.

From online social dating, to lifelong learning, yoga and volunteering, seniors are discovering an increasing variety of outlets to keep them busy in their post-career years. An online search of AARP’s featured senior activities throughout Ohio and the U.S. include classes at major universities, customized art programs at assisted living centers and intergenerational daycare.

“There’s a growing awareness of older adults interested in activities they can engage in,” says Richard Browdie,

president and CEO of Benjamin Rose Institute, a Cleveland-based nonprofit research and advocacy organization.

“Wellness is another big one.”

The average life expectancy for females in 1940 was 76.7, but increased by more than 10 years, to 86.8 in 2015. That figure is expected to climb to 89 by 2050, according to the Social Security Administration. By comparison, men in 1940 lived to 70.6 on average. The age reached 83.1 in 2015, and is expected to grow to 85.9 in 2050.

Longevity is yielding healthier lives and “compressed morbidity,” or shorter periods of decline before death, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research. A holistic approach to wellness will help maintain quality of life and integrity

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during the twilight years of one’s life.

To that extent, Benjamin Rose Institute offers a 10week aging mastery program that offers content related to increasing participants’ health, financial well-being and social connectedness.

“These are well-structured courses that touch on eight major topics, all related to wellness in some form or another,” Browdie says.

“These include financial manipulation and abuse, health and the impact of isolation. We touch on the topics related to lifestyle decision-making.”

Offering a diversity of traditional and creative programs also is a key part of attracting and engaging residents in independent living and assisted living environments.

Among the offerings at Altenheim Senior Living in Strongsville are tai chi instructors, WHOGA (wheelchair yoga), a rotating lesson on a new culture and language, outings to Amish country and an on-campus Oktoberfest.

“The residents and their families love the annual Oktoberfest with authentic German beer and food, a German brass band and an ethnic dance group,” says Paul Psota, CEO of that nonprofit senior living service provider.

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FINANCE

March 28, 2016 S9

BE ON GUARD, DON’T BE A TARGET

D

avid Meyer has seen his fair share of victims of investment fraud walk through his office door. Many of these clients are wealthy and educated professionals, and otherwise thought they weren’t susceptible to losing their life’s savings to a fraudster.

“One out of five seniors is a target of financial fraud, but most people think it will never happen to them,” says Meyer, the founding principal of Meyer Wilson, which handles investment fraud and consumer class action cases from its offices in Cleveland, Columbus and Los Angeles. “You go to the doctor because your knees hurt, and the doctor tells you that you need surgery, so what do you do? You get the surgery because you trust his opinion. We trust people to act in our best interests because we’re not experts at everything.”

That trust, however, leaves investors vulnerable to misconduct.

“Fraudsters don’t care who you are — they are only concerned about how they can convince you to invest with them. Anyone with money is a potential victim of investment fraud,” he says. “Doing just 15 minutes of research on the front end can protect you from losing your life savings.”

So whether you are exploring an investment opportunity, or are the adult child of a parent who has investments, consider these tips to safeguard those assets:

designations, such as the “CFP” for certified financial planners and “CFA” for chartered financial analyst, are well-regarded in the industry because they require extensive testing and

continuing education, Meyer says.

“Many other designations, however, are just marketing gimmicks,” he says. “In some cases, the designation is awarded upon submitting an

application and paying a nominal fee.”

Do your own background check.

Visit finra.org and search your broker’s name. Every stockbroker who is licensed to sell securities has a central registration n

depository (CRD) number, which is linked to a database that holds all sorts of information about your broker, including whether he or she has been sued or has been involved with a bankruptcy.

WHE N S TOCK BROK E R S A R E CROOK E D, SOME THING H APPENS TO THEM.

Never invest money with someone who calls you on the phone or contacts you online. “Sometimes seniors who live alone get that call, and they establish a relationship with the sales person on the other end. The senior ultimately goes to the bank and wires his lifesavings,” Meyer says. n

Never wire money. “The intake of clients who have wired money to people whom they thought were going to invest it and ultimately lost their savings has tripled over the last couple of years,” he says. n

RSVP ‘no’ to a free lunch seminar.

Those events are intended to sell you something, even if the host says otherwise. What sounds like an informative investment session may turn out to be a hard sell for an annuity or another “investment.” “Seniors go to these things, and they feel obligated to fill out a form because they got a free lunch,” Meyer says. “It could turn into the most expensive lunch you ever ate.”

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Most stockbrokers are honest. Some are not. At Meyer Wilson, we’ve been successfully representing investors against dishonest brokers for more than 15 years. We’ve done it locally. We’ve done it nationally. And we’ve built our reputation on our success. So if you know of a stockbroker who is crooked, negligent, or just plain not smart enough to do the right thing, contact us. We can help.

n Be wary of titles and licenses. Don’t

invest your hard-earned money with someone who is not properly licensed to sell investments. Licenses are granted by federal or state regulatory authorities, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Ohio Division of Securities. Some titles and designations are granted by private organizations. Certain professional

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Invest the time to plan for caregiving’s effect on finances

F

rom the time we are young, our lives are built around planning and decision-making — what we want to be when we grow up, where we’ll go to college, to whom we’ll get married, how many children we’ll have and where we’ll live.

“We even do the same for our children,” says Lee Ann O’Brien, director of community relations, special projects and planned giving at McGregor, a Cleveland-based senior living provider. “We even go so far as to make arrangements for our burials and funerals. But amid all this planning, we overlook one key factor — where we’ll live when we can no longer live at home.”

The lack of planning presents emotional and financial challenges for adult children who find themselves assuming the roles of chauffeur, caregiver and health care advocate when their loved one no longer can do these independently. The so-called “sandwich generation” often is financially unprepared for supporting themselves and dependents young and old.

“It becomes very expensive,” O’Brien says.

About 12% of Americans ages 45 to 54 are providing financial support for their children and ongoing living assistance to other loved ones, according to a poll conducted in 2015 by the Associates Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The

report also found that most Americans ages 40 and older do not feel prepared for planning or financing long-term care for themselves or a loved one.

So, what can be done to protect one’s savings while caring for aging loved ones? The key is to carefully wean dependency on the adult children and guide them toward a living arrangement that addresses long-term care needs, those in the industry say.

“The first start is having that conversation with a loved one about where to live,” O’Brien says. “Most people moving into retirement communities in the 55-year-old to 75-year-old range are still active in some way, and are looking for amenities, programs and events.

Remember, you’re not just picking a place — you’re picking a lifestyle.”

Amenities certainly are one consideration, but location is a key factor, too.

“It has to be convenient so family members can easily visit. Otherwise, far drives are expensive and timeconsuming,” she says.

Make sure the residence offers a long-term solution and not a

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panacea for fixing the caregiver’s interim financial strain.

“What if they have to move again because their health changes? Moving is expensive,” O’Brien says. “You may want to consider continuing care retirement communities. Once you’re in and care needs change, you may be able to stay in the same apartment or suite but receive a different level of care services.”

The responsibilities indeed are overwhelming, but also provide those who identify as the sandwich generation the opportunity to create a roadmap for their own future, and otherwise prevent their children from facing a similar scenario.

“Consult an elder adviser or estate planning attorney. Pre-plan to age gracefully,” says Claire Zangerle, president and CEO of the Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio. “Engaging professionals who do this everyday is an investment in your future.”

Determine whether your current home has the right layout for accessibility accommodations or whether it’s time to downsize. You may be healthy now, but a fall or other debilitating event can strike at anytime, usually when we’re not expecting it, Zangerle says.

“You may want to think about taking the equity from your home and putting it into a long-term care policy” so that you can receive home health and home care services, she says.

WANTED: Employer Flexibility

T

he aging baby boomer population presents challenges for their children, who still are at the peak of their careers. The time and responsibility associated with caring for their parents, whether helping them manage a chronic condition or transition into an assisted living facility, are going to require more flexibility and understanding from employers, says Kevin Johnson, a senior adviser at Visiting Angels of Cleveland. “Employees who find themselves in this situation struggle with absenteeism versus presenteeism, where they’re on the job but preoccupied,” he says.

“Corporations will have to put something of substance in their benefits package to allow for paid time off, much like maternity and paternity leave, to help Gen X and Gen Y manage these situations.”

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Consider all possibilities when deciding living arrangements

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or other aging loved ones to downsize, but they should be part of the search.

“Talk to them as early as possible,” she says. “There are many things you can do if you want to stay in your own home to make it more accessible, even if it has multiple floors. You can move the laundry room from the basement to the first floor, or convert the dining room into a bedroom,” Salopeck says.

For those loved ones who are candidates for independent or assisted living, get a feel for the amenities offered. Visit various locations, and note the variety of activities and participation levels.

“I’ve seen people come back to life when they move into a group setting with intellectual stimulation,” Salopeck says. “The advantage of

moving to a life care community is built-in friends, built-in activities, built-in transportation and access.

We’ve seen people forge new relationships and really flourish.”

According to a 2014 report by Family Caregiver Alliance, an advocate for caregivers, the average monthly price of assisted living in Ohio is $3,512 a month. Some assisted living facilities reach $8,000 a month, say those in the industry. But don’t let the sticker shock deter you from nudging a loved one toward this avenue, if it’s most appropriate.

“There are a lot of expenses that go away when you move out of your house, like your mortgage, car payments, car insurance, utilities and food,” Salopeck says.

‘‘

H

ome is where the heart is, but you can’t love something that may not work for you in the near future. That’s why aging adults need to be proactive about considering their next realistic residential choices.

“Don’t hold on tight to that fivebedroom home you raised your children in,” says Allison Salopeck, president and CEO of Jennings Center for Older Adults, which provides a myriad of care and supportive services for older adults. “It may end up limiting your ability to enjoy life, especially if something catastrophic happens while still living in the home,” such as a fall, heart attack or stroke.

Adult children should not only help encourage their parents, grandparents

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THE FREEDOM TO STAY IN THE HOME YOU LOVE

I’ve seen people come back to life when they move into a group setting with intellectual stimulation.

ALLISON SALOPECK, president and CEO of Jennings Center for Older Adults

On The Move Easy access to transportation is a key factor in the process of helping a loved one transition into a downsized new home, specifically if it is independent housing. “Seniors outlive their ability to drive by seven to 10 years,” says Julia Schick, director of marketing and public relations at LakeTran, Lake County’s regional transit system. “That’s where easy access to public transportation is so important, so they can still get to doctor’s appointments, go shopping and be part of their community.” LakeTran serves about 250,000 seniors a year, and the average ridership age has been increasing.

“We’re seeing a larger increase of 80- to 95-year olds who can’t drive but still want to get to the hair salon or the YMCA. Having that access to transportation impacts their quality of life.”

You want to keep living in your own home, but an age related condition is threatening your independence. At North Coast Accessible Homes, a certifed Aging-in-Place provider, we have been helping people overcome these challenges for over 30 years. Staying in the home you love is now possible.

Call us today for a FREE assessment!

216-365-2614 www.NorthCoastAccess.org

14221 Broadway Avenue • Cleveland, OH 44125 216-365-2614 • www. orthCoastAccess.org