Retirement Planning Guide-2020

Retirement

Planning Guide 2020

A Supplement of

Retirement Guide 2020 

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Making Your Retirement Income Last If you’ve reached retirement, you know the kind of mixed emotions that entails.

On one hand, you’re elated. You’ve reached the end of your career and finally have the freedom to do what you want every single day — spending time with family, working on your hobbies and meeting new goals.

On the other hand, maintaining a good income for the rest of your life can be difficult, especially with the wild fluctuations the stock market has experienced in recent years.

If you want to make your retirement savings last as long as you do — and perhaps leave an inheritance as part of your legacy — here are some options for stretching every dollar.

Annuities

An increasingly popular option for retirement planning is the use of annuities to provide a guaranteed stream of income, regardless of how the stock market performs.

Annuities, which are really insurance products, come in variable and fixed varieties. You basically pay for the annuity up front, then enjoy a steady income for a period of time — an option that provides a lot of security as long as the company issuing the annuity is financially sound.

The downside of an annuity is that your money is tied up, often with expensive fees should you need to access it for other needs.

Get Solid Advice

Another way to make your money last is to get good, professional advice about investing and estate planning.

While it seems that every person you meet will offer their unsolicited advice about stock tips or where to save your money, you’ve ultimately got to make that decision on your own.

The key is seeking advice from a professional you trust — someone who has your best interests at heart.

You can tell that because, first of all, they’re going to have the right certifications and a solid track re-

Retirement Planning

cord, preferably with a well-known investment firm. But additionally, the best advisers act like teachers, not salespeople. If you feel pressured into buying one product, or you’re asked to put your money into investments that you don’t fully understand, that’s a bad sign.

Finding a person who can coach you about investing, not just push you into financial products, is a better idea. Even if you’ve done a good job saving and investing to this point, it’s a good idea to reevaluate your options and investments when you actually hit retirement.

Being retired is a common goal for Americans. Before you can comfortably spend your days sleeping in, out on the lake or catching up taking time to yourself, you must have a retirement plan in order.

AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons) urges Americans to hire a financial advisor to protect their savings. An advisor will give you solid advice on investing at the right times. With their help, you can watch your nest egg grow and relax without the stress of financial trouble.

Keep an Income

Finding an Advisor

A lot of retirees enjoy keeping a job during retirement.

This can be a great option for the right type of person. It lets you earn an income, which means you’ll be dipping into your retirement savings less over time, but it also keeps you mentally and physically active.

And who knows? Maybe “retirement” is just a good excuse to start your dream career on your own terms.

AARP recommends finding an advisor who identifies as a “fiduciary.” This means they are someone who puts your interests ahead of his or her own. They are considered the safest option when it comes to providing unbiased advice that may conflict with your own wishes.

Here are some other strategies AARP recommends when finding

the right advisor for your situation.

• Credential check: It’s important to know that your potential advisor has his current credentials in good standing and doesn’t have any negative marks on his record. You can find more about individual advisors through The Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

• How they’re paid: You have the right to know how your advisor is being compensated. She will likely be paid hourly, by commission or by a percentage of assets under management. If it is a percentage, the fees should generally be under 1 percent annually.

• Talk to other clients: Ask your potential advisor for contact information of other people they represent. This gives you a good chance to gauge his success rate and commitment. If he refuses this information, it might be a red flag.

• Get your plan in writing: Having a written strategy about why an investment makes sense for you will make

See RETIREMENT page 5

These days, senior citizens are more health conscious than ever before. Many want to keep their energy levels high during their retirement years. They enjoy golf, tennis, swimming and walking. Thus, it is

Medical Care Facilities

You should know the location of the closest hospitals, doctors, ambulance services and other health professionals. Retirement communities should be easily accessible to emergency personnel.

See COMMUNITY page 15

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Community Activities

important to research whether such activities are easily accessible at any prospective retirement community.

Many seniors also enjoy arts and crafts, board games, dancing and other organized activities. Taking part in a wide range of social events can provide a tremendous opportunity for retirees to make new friends.

Pay attention to what social events are organized by the retirement community.

Also research whether prospective retirement communities provide opportunities for residents to venture further afield on organized trips to theaters, museums and other events.

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Today’s retirees want a lot more than rocking chairs. As more Americans remain active in retirement, they are looking for communities that match their lifestyles and goals for relaxed living.

If you are looking for a retirement community, there are plenty of factors to consider. The first things people tend to think about are price and amenities.

But this retirement community will hopefully become your home. That’s why it is vital to choose a vibrant place, with plenty of parking and recreational activities.

Retirees should examine these aspects before making a financial commitment to a living facility.

Retirement Guide 2020

How to Choose a Retirement Community

Retirement Guide 2020 

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National Grandparents Day This September, let the grandparents in your life know what they mean to you. National Grandparents Day is celebrated the Sunday after Labor Day each year. Obviously, you should show your appreciation all year long, but on this important day, you should do something extra special.

President Jimmy Carter signed the proclamation that officially recognized National Grandparents Day in 1978. According to the experts at The Legacy Project, there are three purposes for this special day.

• To honor grandparents; • To give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children; and • To help children become aware of the strength, information and guidance older people can offer.

Tips for Grandparents

To truly bond with your grandchildren, you should insist on sharing quality alone time. This means no parents allowed.

Plan a fun adventure for your grandchildren that will inspire them to ask questions and learn valuable lessons. Some great places that will enthuse children include parks, zoos and museums.

Providing answers to their questions lets them know that they can depend on you for solid support.

This will be a great advantage when they develop problems they might be too embarrassed to discuss with their parents down the road.

Fun in the Kitchen

Are you an expert in the kitchen?

Why not teach your grandchildren a family recipe? Young children get great joy out of basic cooking tasks, such as mixing and pouring. Take this time to teach older children about why the dish is important to your family’s history.

Tell them things like who created the recipe, how long it has been in your family and any alterations you might have made to the original recipe. Getting children interested in their heritage can inspire them to do

their own research.

Ideas for Kids

This day is all about the bond between grandchild and grandparent.

Urge children to create a homemade

gift or dedicate the day to pampering.

A heartwarming gift your child can create is a personalized greeting card. Grandparents will enjoy displaying this emotional gift all year

round. Consider letting children surprise their grandparents with breakfast in bed or perform their daily chores. Grandma and grandpa will surely appreciate the thought and the break.

Types of Advisors

Types of Care

You already know to look for fiduciary standards when seeking an advisor. You likely will see other designations when you are on your search. Here are the other common terms and how they operate: • Advisors who follow the “suitability” standard can sell you products based on age or risk tolerance.

These products may not be beneficial to your needs.

• Dually registered advisors bounce around from fiduciary to suitability standards. You might find them inconsistent when planning your retirement.

In-Home Health Care

The Baptist Home in Ironton (Arcadia Valley) offers: • Adult Day Services • Respite Care • Restaurant Style Dining • 24/7 Nursing Care • Benevolent Care Assistance • New Assisted Living Apartments • Independent Living Housing For more information about our campus, please call (573)546-7429 or visit us on our website at www.thebaptisthome.org.

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In the past, the only option for long-term care was moving to a nursing home, something that can be pricey and stressful for people who have to uproot their entire lives. It’s not a pleasant option for some patients.

That’s why in-home care is becoming so popular today.

If someone needs regular attention but doesn’t want to move out of their home because of comfort or cost factors, in-home care is the perfect choice. Instead of the patient traveling to a medical facility, professionals can travel to take care of the patient.

It’s convenient, comfortable and typically less expensive than a fulltime medical facility.

Because it’s such a popular option today, most cities have several different providers of in-home care to choose from, often specializing in different services from basic housekeeping to daily medical help.

Professional Advice

How do you know which service to use? Start by talking to a doctor.

Professional advice from a doctor can help you gauge how much care you or your loved one needs in everyday life. Doctors also may have first-hand knowledge about the dif-

You should also talk to several different in-home care companies to see what types of services they offer. They’ll generally fall into three categories: — Personal care: This includes basic help with everyday life, such as bathing and grooming, help getting around the home and any special diet needs. They may be able to help prepare meals or run errands, like going shopping at the grocery store.

— Companionship: An important part of in-home care is the companionship it provides for people who are homebound. A good in-home health provider will be able to provide the kind of friendship that can help people stay mentally and physically fit.

— Medical care: This is an area that can vary widely from company to company, so make sure you know exactly which services are provided and which are not. Services can range from things as basic as reminders to take medicine to things as intensive as 24-hour care.

The medical qualifications of the inhome care providers should also be clear. You should know exactly what kind of training, degrees and certificates the providers hold so you can see whether they match what you’re looking for. Again, a doctor can help you know what qualifications to look for in your particular situation.

The Right Mix

In-home care often involves a combination of skilled medical professionals, like nurses, and non-medical or assisted living workers, more akin to well-trained housekeepers.

You need to know the difference, because there’s no sense in paying for expensive medical care if all you need is simple help with dayto-day needs around the house.

And likewise, if professional medical care is needed, you don’t want to choose a company that doesn’t have people trained and qualified

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However, our admission policies have changed. It is no longer necessary to be a Baptist to apply or to relinquish all assets to The Baptist Home in exchange for care.

ferent in-home care services in your area, so they could help steer you to one that’s appropriate for your situation.

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At 107 years old, the spirit and ministry of The Baptist Home has not changed. The Baptist Home continues to serve aging humanity with dedicated hearts and an unwaivering commitment to provide quality, Christian care.

it easier to understand. You may ask for an investment policy statement to outline the details of how your advisor will meet your goals.

Retirement Guide 2020

RETIREMENT from page 2

Retirement Guide 2020 

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How to Keep Your Mind Young Keeping your mind sharp and focused is one of the biggest challenges of aging.

In fact, your mind is almost like a muscle: something that needs to be regularly exercised and fed nutritious foods to grow stronger.

If you want to keep your mind young even as your body ages, here are some steps to take.

Stay Stimulated

The first and most important step is getting regular mental stimulation.

That means a lot more than just watching TV. You need to keep your mind engaged in deep thought and problem solving, something that can be a lot of fun if you use games in the process.

Some people like word or math problems, but hobbies can be effective, too. If you love to paint, draw or make crafts at home, that can be a great way to keep your mind busy.

Maintain Your Body

Studies show that healthy minds are also linked to physical exercise.

There are several reasons for this, but it is believed that exercise helps more oxygen-rich blood flow to the part of your brain that is in charge of thinking. Exercise can also help grow new nerve cells and synapses in the brain.

Of course, physical activity has more than just mental benefits. It can also help you reduce stress, control diabetes, lower your blood pressure and improve your heart health.

If you haven’t done so already, talk with your doctor about an exercise routine that can help to keep your mind sharp.

Watch Your Diet

A healthy diet has also been linked to better mental health as people age.

You should carefully watch your caloric intake and eat healthy foods, including those that are low in cholesterol and saturated fat, which have been linked with mental decline in the elderly.

In addition, the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide recommends three B vitamins — folic acid, B6 and B12 — to lower your risk of dementia by reducing your homocysteine levels.

Stay Social

Strong social ties have been linked to longer lifespans and lower blood pressure, not to mention more mental activity.

Look for local clubs, churches and

volunteer opportunities. There are plenty of charities and non-profits that can use the help, and it’s a great chance for you to meet new people and build those social connections that are so valuable.

Retirement Guide 2020

Yoga for Seniors

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As you age, you might notice pain in your joints or muscles that wasn’t always present. It is easy to use this soreness as an excuse to avoid physical activity. Participating in weight-bearing activities such as yoga stretches, however, promotes flexibility and overall health.

Before signing up for classes, be sure to schedule an appointment with your physician. Make sure you are in good enough health to introduce yoga into your regimen.

Your local health professional might recommend you start out with a less strenuous exercise to prepare your body before fully jumping into yoga.

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Elements of Yoga

Yoga was designed to enhance the mind, body and spirit. It focuses on three important elements: exercise, breathing and meditation. Practicing yoga provides a calming

See YOGA page 15

FARMINGTON

PARK HILLS

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POTOSI

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Retirement Guide 2020 

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Write the Story of Your Life

Create your own legacy by writing a memoir that your family can share with future generations. Life-story workshops are a challenging yet liberating way to share your greatest memories.

Perhaps, you never considered yourself a writer, but these unique classes might surprise you with how satisfying it is to share your story.

Writing will not only allow you to surprise your family with fun anecdotes you might not have previously shared, but it also can enhance your mental and manual dexterity.

Typing or writing notes are great ways to keep the joints in your hands strong.

If you suffer from a painful degenerative joint disease such as arthritis, you can still share your memorable stories by enlisting a partner to do the actual writing for you.

What to Expect at the Workshop

While each workshop has a different curriculum, you should expect a comfortable environment in which stories are shared among other seniors.

See STORY page 13

What can our Veterans Services do for you?

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Retirement Guide 2020

Lift Base and Mattress

Retirement Guide 2020 

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Find a Hobby

Retirement is an exciting time for anyone who has spent their entire adult life dedicated to hard work and schedules. It is your time to relax and have the time to do whatever you wish. You might be surprised how quickly you get bored without the hustle and bustle of the life you were used to.

Now is the perfect time to master a new hobby and keep yourself from feeling the retirement blues.

nation-wide club chapters in your area through word of mouth. If these established clubs don’t interest you, consider creating your own. Communicate with other seniors in your community to find out which clubs they would be interested in joining.

Once you begin acquiring members, consider holding fundraisers to raise awareness of your club and a cause you feel is important.

Volunteer

Even if you already consider yourself an avid chef, expand your boundaries and learn to cook new, exciting dishes. Attempting foods from different ethnic backgrounds is a great way to learn new things and impress your dinner guests. You might be able to find classes in your area where you can learn in a hands-on kitchen environment.

Finding a cause you feel you can benefit by volunteering will give you a great sense of pride and enrich your overall life. After retirement, boost your sense of self-worth by offering your services to schools, hospitals or non-profit organizations.

Become artsy

Art is a great way for people to express themselves. Learn to tell a story with your imagination by taking on painting, sewing or woodworking projects. Making art is not only good for keeping your mind sharp, but you will feel good about gifting your creations to loved ones.

Clubs

Join or create a club in your local community. You can easily find

Cook new dishes

Relax

You spent your whole life working.

Now it’s time to spoil yourself with your newly available free time. Find activities that create a sense of calm, such as fishing, reading or catching up on your favorite shows. Retirement is the time to experience all the things you never thought you had time for during your “working life.”

Take CHARGE of Your FUTURE

Research shows that nearly 90% of people want to stay in their own home as they age. For over 40 years Kindred at Home has been helping people just like you stay independent at home with a variety of services.

Choose how you want to live!

Customize your lifestyle:

• Housekeeping and • Respite care for laundry Family Caregivers • Medication reminders • Shopping and Errands • Personal care • Nurse Visits • Meal preparation • Care Coordination with • Companionship Home Health and Hospice We accept: Private Pay, VA, VHC, Long Term Care Insurance, Medicaid (MOHealthNet), Anthem BCBS “Mediblue”, Vouchers from ALS, MS Foundation and the Alzheimer’s Association.

To check eligibility call Ginger Pizarro at 573-431-6599 or 573-454-5706

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Retirement Guide 2020 ď Ž

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Retirement Guide 2020 

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Make Plans for an Epic Vacation If you’re like most people, you’ve been looking forward to your golden years as a time to relax, enjoy life and do a little traveling.

In fact, traveling can be a great way to learn new things, meet new friends and unwind in new settings. It can also be surprisingly affordable for people on a fixed income.

Live Your Dream

For starters, everyone deserves to follow their dream, however exotic, at least once in their traveling lives.

If you’ve always imagined visiting one particular place on the globe, now could be a great time to make that a reality. Save your money. Mark your calendar. Pack your bags, and jet off into the sunset or visit some awe-inspiring destinations in the United States.

Listed below are some favorite senior vacation destinations in America.

Niagara Falls, New York

This beautiful waterfall separates The United States and Canada. When viewing from the

American side, expect a panoramic view of the big three waterfalls that are connected by the Niagara River. Breathtaking views, walking trails and a government-preserved park make this an incredible experience.

Don’t forget to witness the Falls from the Canadian side. There, you can catch a better look at Horseshoe Falls. It is a stunning waterfall that pulls over 750,000 gallons of water over its edge every second.

Green Valley, Arizona

For seniors who love spending a day on the links, Green Valley offers a great golfing community. There are numerous golf courses with varying difficulties. You’ll have no problem finding a course suitable for your skill level.

When you’re done golfing, head out on a hike

to see beautiful wildlife and a gorgeous environment. Green Valley was designed to be an attractive retirement village. Don’t be surprised if you end up planning to spend several vacations here or even decide to relocate.

Big Island, Hawaii

The different sights to see on the Big Island vary in scenery but all create a jaw-dropping experience.

You can find yourself getting wrapped up in utterly beautiful views on one of its amazing beaches.

After that, witness an active volcano in person.

The Big Island features four active volcanoes.

Plan to spend several days on this amazing island, as you will want to take in every amazing experience it has to offer.

See VACATION page 13

The stories you choose to include in your legacy don’t have to be groundbreaking moments.

Once you get started, you might surprise yourself with memories you had forgotten.

AARP has found through workshops that participants have shared early memories of schooldays and learning to ride

Finding a Workshop

There are several ways you can find a workshop in your area. You might start by inquiring with local senior centers or searching online for groups.

Some workshops are even available as online courses, though they might lack the intimacy you will feel when sharing your stories with people in the same room.

If you can’t find a workshop, look into creating your own course in your community.

INVESTMENT SERVICES TO ASSIST YOU

Day Trips

At the opposite extreme, you may be surprised at just how much there is to do near your own home.

Spend a day pretending to be a tourist in your own town. Visit museums and parks, and explore your downtown business district with some shopping and entertainment.

You can also pick up a map and look for things to do in cities near where you live.

Call the local chambers of commerce to see if they have events calendars or listings of tourist attractions that are worth visiting.

Bus Tours

Bus tours are a great option for many seniors, and they’re growing more popular with each passing year.

Not only are they really easy — someone else does the planning, scheduling and driving, after all — but they’re also a lot of fun. They turn into social events where you can bring your friends and meet new people.

They’re also surprisingly affordable. Check with churches, tourist organizations and your local senior center to see what options are available for senior tours in your area.

Family Tour

Another way to save money is to tour the country one relative at a time, staying in spare bedrooms for free.

Of course, you want to make sure you’re actually welcome. If you’re friendly and generous, your loved ones will usually be thrilled to have you around for a few days.

If, like many people, you have family members scattered all across the nation, you might consider taking a road trip to visit as many of them as possible. Map them out to see where you can stay and who you can visit during your trip.

No matter your age, income, or goals, it always makes sense to start planning as soon as possible.

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What to Include

bikes, and even revealed dark moments of their past. Writing about the memories of unhappy moments might give you an opportunity to cope in a different way.

Try to start your story from the early memories that stand out.

The trip down memory lane will likely bring you to moments in your life you’ll love to relive.

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Your instructor might choose to perform one-on-one sessions during which he will explain in detail how your life experiences have shaped the person you have become. A qualified instructor also will encourage you to write stories that might not seem important to others but had a beneficial impact on you.

You might be asked to share your stories with other members in the workshop. This is a great way to inspire and encourage other writers to participate.

VACATION from page 12

Retirement Guide 2020

STORY from page 8

Retirement Guide 2020 

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Stay in Touch by Embracing Technology

Being unfamiliar with technological advances can be frustrating for seniors who are trying to catch up. When learning how to operate machines such as computers, tablets or smartphones, patience is key. Becoming efficient in technology will give you a sense of accomplishment and help you keep in touch with family and friends.

It might be hard to see the excitement of technology without witnessing firsthand the benefits. Social media, text messaging and video calls are quick ways to check in on the important people in your life without having to plan a face-to-face visit.

While visiting in person still holds important value, technology makes communicating easier and helps develop stronger bonds.

Learning Social Media

It might be humbling to learn new skills from those who are younger, but they are likely more familiar with the workings of technology.

Ask your children or even grandchildren which social media sites they frequent and inquire about a general way to utilize them. You don’t have to be a computer whiz to quickly learn to communicate with technology.

Sit and absorb with a family member or friend as they post and reply to others on their social media accounts. Once you get a grip on how it operates, make an account yourself on popular social media sites. You’ll be thrilled when you see how easy it is to reconnect with old friends. When making an account, be sure to log your username and password in a safe location. You may need it if your computer fails to save your information.

Cell Phone Benefits

Cell phones don’t only make it easy to communicate faster, they also are good tools to have for emergencies. According to The National Council on Aging, falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries for American citizens.

Having a cell phone close by gives you the opportunity to reach help with the touch of a button. Make sure you’re familiar with how to add emergency service phone numbers to speed dial.

A smartphone also provides you with easy ways to keep in touch with loved ones. You might be surprised at how little you actually talk on your phone. They make it simple to send and receive messages through text, which you can respond to at your convenience. You also can navigate your social media accounts in almost any setting.

Pet policies are another feature to consider when investigating potential retirement communities. It is especially important if you have a pet that you do not want to leave behind. Some facilities will allow you to bring your pet to live with you while others will not. There may be no need to leave your fur babies behind.

Churches, Libraries and Schools

People typically prefer to live in less congested, quiet areas during their retirement years. Consider how close the community is to schools, sports facilities and other sites which produce large traffic volumes and noise levels.

You should also know where the nearest libraries and churches are located, as well as where you can access public transportation such as trains and buses.

Ask whether the retirement community provides its own transportation for local trips.

Senior Health Benefits

Practicing yoga does much more than provide you with physical activity and enhance flexibility. Here are some other good reasons you should try it, per the SFA: • Sleep better: A yoga routine helps seniors fall asleep faster and improves the overall quality of sleep.

• Healthy sugar levels: Diabetes is a big contributor to senior illness. Studies show that practicing yoga for just 40 minutes a day significantly lowers blood sugar levels.

• Eases pain: Studies show that yoga can reduce chronic pain levels and the reliability of pain medication.

Benefits from Common Positions

AARP has laid out the names of some common positions you will be asked to perform. Here is how they help: Tree pose: Achieved by standing on one leg, it is great for improving balance.

Plank: Performed by holding yourself up with your hands and feet. It builds upper-body strength and core stability.

Camel pose: Accomplished by standing on your knees and stretching backwards. It’s a great way to stretch and open your chest.

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Pet Policies

effect and allows you a unique opportunity to take your mind off your busy routine and focus on yourself.

According to the American Senior Fitness Association, aging causes a loss of flexibility in our rib cages. This may sometimes cause spinal deformities that lessen room for lung expansion.

Yoga helps seniors remember to fully inhale and exhale which helps to slow down heart rates to improve focus and concentration.

Asana is the other aspect of yoga. It is a Sanskrit term which translates to “pose” or “posture.”

Achieving asana means there is a balance between each side of the body. This means no organ, muscle, joint or bone is under any excessive stress.

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You may wish to restrict your search to communities located near your preferred physician or other service providers.

The prospective community should have a formal emergency plan in place. Additionally, check the retirement unit itself to see if it has custom safety features, such as railings in the bathroom and in the entrance ways.

YOGA from page 7

Retirement Guide 2020

COMMUNITY from page 3

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Retirement Guide 2020