Resorce guide 6 17 by 50+ LifeStyles

THE LONG ISLAND

FREE Copy

for Caregivers and Seniors Vol.1. 2017 NEXT EDITION FALL 2017

Health Housing Financial Services Community Services

Home Services Pre Planning

Winner of 10 National Awards

A Publication of

50plusNY.com

50+ Lifestyles Resource Guide - Vol. 1, 2017

Letter from the Publisher

elcome to volume 1, 2017 of the Long Island Resource Guide. We are very proud of receiving 2 National Awards for our indispensible source of comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date information. Every effort has been made to keep our information Publisher, Frank C. Trotta current, but if you find changes in listings, useful resources we may not have included, or have ideas for improvements, we would appreciate hearing from you. Be sure to read 50+ Lifestyles monthly by subscription, or free, at hundreds of locations, or visit 50plusny.com to keep current on important and valuable information and community events. Please support and thank the businesses and organizations that care enough about those of us 50+ to make this valuable resource directory possible.

Contents Index of Services................................... 4 Local Resources.................................... 6 EMPLOYMENT Suffolk Transportation Named to Top 20 Best Companies To Work For In NY State........................................................5 PREPLANNING Retired? It’s Smart to Expect the Unexpected!...................................8 Are You Leaving Your Beneficiaries A Tax Time Bomb?...........9 With Taxes ‘On Sale’ it Could Be Time To Convert To a Roth IRA.................... 11 HEALTH & MEDICAL SERVICES When to Sign Up for Medicare.......... 13 The Benefits of Meditation..................14 Keeping You Independent in Your Home............................................16

ATTENTION ADVERTISERS

COMING IN NOVEMBER Fall/Winter Edition The Long Island

Winner of 10 National Awards

Reserve Space Now! 631-286-0058 Ext. 100

2017

Ask About

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL!

A Publication of

Read www.50PlusNY.com To subscribe monthly 631-286-0058 ext 100 Frank@50plusNY.com

Every Month • In Print • Online FREE BULK DISTRIBUTION TO 50+ COMMUNITIES 631-286-0058 EXT 100 • Frank@50plusNY.com

146 South Country Road, Bellport, NY 11713 FRANK C. TROTTA, Publisher TIM EDWARDS, Executive Editor GARY P. JOYCE, Editor MARIE TROTTA, Vice President, Production/Sales Advertising Sales: EVELYN ALOISIO Graphic Artist: GREGORY A JONES For Advertising Rates and Information contact Evelyn Aloisio 631-286-0058 ext 221 Evelyn@50plusNY.com

50+ Lifestyles Resource Guide - Vol. 1, 2017 The Long Island

FREE TO 50+ COMMUNITIES

Would your community like to receive25-100 complimentary copies of 50+ Lifestyles Monthly?

Call 631-286-0058 EXT 100 Frank@50plusNY.com

Index of Services HOUSING

HEALTH

SADDLE ROCK APARTMENTS 631-563-0174...........................................6 FLUSHING HOUSE 718-762-3198 flushinghouse.com................................ 7

BRISTOL FINANCIAL SERVICES 516-349-5555 Bristol-Financial.com............................. 8 RONALD FATOULLAH & ASSOC 1-877-ELDERLAW • 1-877-ESTATES .......9 NANCY BURNER & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 631-941-3434 • burnerlaw.com............12

NORTH SHORE VEIN CENTER 516-869-8346 NorthShoreVein.com.............................2 THUNDER HEARING SERVICES 631-830-4296........................................ 13 LONG ISLAND AUDIOLOGY 516-809-8441 LongIslandAudiology.com................... 14 AGEWELL NEW YORK 1-866-586-8044 TTY/TDD: 1-800-662-1220 www.agewellnewyork.com..................15 MCGUIRE’S McGuiresHearing.com..........................16 JOHN T. MATHER MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WOUND TREATMENT CENTER Melville: 631-249-2347 matherhospital.org.............................. 18 AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION www.heart.org/AFIBAwareness...........20 THE LUX AT MEDFORD MULTICARE CENTER 631-730-3000 www.MedfordMulticare.org................21 NASSAU-SUFFOLK HOSPITAL COUNCIL 631-656-9783 www.coverage4healthcare.com.......... 21 PRIME HEALTH BENEFITS 516-241-1283.........................................22 MOMENTUM AT SOUTH BAY FOR REHABILITATION AND NURSING 631-581-6400 rehabmomentum.com......................... 24

PREPLANNING

EMPLOYMENT

HOME SERVICES SAFE BATH LI 631-923-6502 • safebathli.com..............7 STAIRGLIDE NY 631-647-8855 • 631-327-3339 StairGlideNY...........................................7 AT HOME SERVICES FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING, INC. 631-477-3095 or 631-765-CARE athomeeldercareservices.com............. 17 EASTERN SUFFOLK TRANSPORTATION LLC 631-477-5912 or 631-876-5355 .............................................................17 SENIORS HELPING SENIORS 516-390-8938........................................ 18 “A GENTLE TOUCH” SENIOR HOME & HEALTH CARE, INC. 631-647-7622 www.agentletouchseniorcare.com...... 20

FINANCIAL

ST. CHARLES RESSURECTION CEMETERIES 631-249-8700 • ccbklyn.org.................10 MOUNT PLEASANT CEMETARY & CREMATORY 631-878-0482 MtPleasantCemetary.com.....................11

SUFFOLK TRANSPORTATION SERVICE 631-665-3245 x8 suffolkbus.com.....................................23

ADVOCACY AARP 866-227-7442 • aarp.org/longisland... 19

50+ Lifestyles Resource Guide - Vol. 1, 2017

Employment • Employment • Employment • Employment

Suﬀolk Transportation Named Top 20 Best CompaniesTo Work For In NY State

ooking to earn some extra money or to find a great full-time job? Your perfect employment solution is just around the corner at Suffolk Transportation. An Award winning “ best place” to work for. Widely recognized for its groundbreaking safety initiatives, innovative employee training programs,cutting-edge technology, and community involvement, Suffolk Transportation Service, Inc., the leading Long Island school and public transportation provider and Suffolk Bus Corporation, their public transportation division, have been selected as ”Top 20 Best Companies to work for in New York State” for 2017. This prestigious honor was

based on the results of a comprehensive questionnaire given to employees to offer their opinions anonymously on working conditions, company leadership, employee training, wages and benefits, and company culture. “We are honored to receive this award and join an elite group of top employers,” said Phil DiDomenico, Chief Operating Officer. “I am very proud and thankful to our hardworking, highly skilled, and dedicated employees at every level of our company, who create the culture of excellence that we are committed to every day.” A family business for over 50 years that consistently sets industry standards for service and safety,

the company employs over 2,000 people and has an executive team with more than 150 years of combined transportation experience. With eight state-of-the-art facilities on Long Island, Suffolk Transportation Service, Inc. combines the most advanced technology with top-notch leadership and caring employees to provide the highest level of safety, security, and professionalism. For more about working for Suffolk Transportation Service, Inc., call 631.665.3245 ext. 8 or 50+ visit www.suffolkbus.com.

Websites As a Resource • Websites As a Resource • Websites As a Resource 50+ LifeStyles. A monthly publication in print and web. 50plusny.com The Family Caregiver Alliance. www.caregiver.org New York State Health. www.health.ny.gov Medicare. www.medicare.gov Social Security Administration. www.ssa.gov The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. www.va.gov Committee of Grandparents for Children’s Rights. www.grandparentsfor children.org AARP 55 Alive/Mature Driving. www.aarp.org/drive Long Island Housing Partnership. www.lihp.org

Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation. www.liaf.org Nassau Department of Parks, Recreation & Museums. www.nassaucountyny.gov Suffolk County Parks. www.suffolkcountyny.gov/parks New York State Parks. www.nysparks.com Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center. www.alzheimersli.org Alzheimer’s Association, Long Island Chapter. www.alz.org/longisland Score-Service Corps of Retired Executives. www.scorelongisland.org

SUBSCRIPTION Send us your Name, City, Zip Code and Email address and we will sign you up for a free monthly email subscription to 50+ Lifestyles. Email us at: Subscriptions@50plusNY.com

50+ Lifestyles Resource Guide - Vol. 1, 2017

Housing • Housing • Housing • Housing • Housing • Housing

OFFICE FOR THE AGING The Nassau and Suffolk County Offices for the Aging are officially designated as Area Agencies on Aging . They are charged with developing and implementing policies and programs for Nassau and Suffolk Seniors,

60 years and older. They serve as a funding agency for community-based programs in the areas of health, counseling, employment, legal services, home care, transportation, nutrition, etc.

SUFFOLK Suffolk County Office for the Aging H. Lee Dennison Building-3rd Floor, P.O. Box 6100, Hauppauge, New York 11788-0099 631-853-8200 • www.suffolkcountyny.gov Riverhead County Center Office County Road 51, Riverhead, New York 11901-3397 • 631-852-1420

NASSAU County Of Nassau Office for the Aging 60 Charles Lindbergh Boulevard. Uniondale, NY 11553-3691 516-227-8900 • www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/seniors

FUEL ASSISTANCE (HEAP) HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HEAP provides an annual benefit to income eligible homeowners/renters to help pay fuel or utility costs. Open to persons 60+, the disabled or SSI recipients of all ages.

NASSAU 516-227-7386 SUFFOLK 631-853-8326

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ASSISTANCE EPIC (Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage) is available to NYS residents age 65+, who meet income guidelines and may save you money on your prescription needs. The program is state funded. For information call: EPIC, 1-800-332-3742.

50+ Lifestyles Resource Guide - Vol. 2, 2016-2017

50+ Lifestyles Resource Guide - Vol. 1, 2017

Preplanning • Preplanning • Preplanning • Preplanning

Retired?

It’s Smart to Expect the Unexpected! By Michael Hartzman, Bristol Financial Services

nyone who has retired or is planning to retire in the near future has sat down and reviewed their monthly budget. Over the years I’ve helped hundreds of people prepare for retirement and continue to guide them during the retirement years. While knowing what your monthly expenses are is crucial, it is the unexpected bills that can saddle a household with debt. In addition to making sure a household has enough cash flow to cover monthly bills it is also vital to have emergency money accessible for those once in a while expenses that could take years to dig out of if they have to be paid for with a credit card or loan. I remember sitting in an emergency room at the vet

with my dog. Across from me was a very upset older couple who were on the phone applying for a loan so their beloved pet could have needed surgery to save its life. I remember thinking these people are spending money they didn’t have that will probably take them years to repay. I also recall thinking that I would have done the same. When I discuss retirement with people one of the first things they mention is the kind, and cost of health insurance they have. What they rarely mention are the co-pays for office visits or the cost of prescriptions and refills. This all adds up quickly. In addition most clients never anticipate the high cost of dental care. As we age, teeth become more fragile and the possibility of needing a bridge or major dental work increases. It is not unusual for a client to call needing $10,000 to $20,000 to take care of such a problem. In addition to medical costs for the two-legged and four-legged members of the family, let’s talk about the (Continued on page 16)

50+ Lifestyles Resource Guide - Vol. 1, 2017

Preplanning • Preplanning • Preplanning • Preplanning

Are You Leaving Your Beneficiaries A Tax Time Bomb? By Brett Sause

hen it comes to retirement – and to passing on whatever wealth you’ve accumulated to a spouse or the next generation – you may think you’ve thought of everything. But despite your careful planning, it could be that Uncle Sam will be handing you a hefty tax bill while you’re living – or your beneficiaries when you die. “Even people who have been great about saving for retirement may not always realize the tax implications of what they’ve done,” says Brett Sause, CEO of Atlantic Financial Group LLC (www.atlanticfinancialgroup.org). “They

IRS

may have created a significant tax problem for themselves, and they could be leaving behind a tax time bomb for their beneficiaries.” The scenario is a fairly common one, especially for baby boomers in or near their retirement years. “Someone told you to get an IRA,” Sause says. “Or they told you to open a 401(k) because your employer was offering it as a benefit, and it sounded like a good idea.” And those are good ideas – to a degree, he says. An IRA, a 401(k) or a (Continued on page 10)

50+ Lifestyles Resource Guide - Vol. 1, 2017

Preplanning • Preplanning • Preplanning • Preplanning (Tax Time Bomb... continued from page 9) 403(b) helps slice into your income tax bill today, putting more in your pocket now and less in the government’s. But these are tax-deferred plans, not tax free. Eventually, the tax bill comes due. When you retire, any withdrawals from those accounts are taxed. And when you turn 70½, the federal government requires you to withdraw a minimum amount, whether you want to or not. “People often assume their tax rate is going to be less when they retire, but that’s not necessarily the case,” Sause says. He says those who want to avoid that tax time bomb for themselves – and in some cases for their beneficiaries – could consider other ways to invest their dollars, such as:

• Municipal bonds. Municipal bonds are used to fund schools, highways or other government projects. Under the federal tax code, the interest income on municipal bonds is tax free. Usually, the interest also is exempt from state taxes. • Roth IRA. Unlike a traditional IRA, you don’t get to defer taxes on the income you contribute to Roth IRA. The upside is that when you reach retirement age, you can generally make withdrawals income tax free. And if you die with money still in the account, your beneficiaries also won’t pay taxes when they withdraw (but could still be subject to estate taxes). • Life insurance. These death benefits pass to beneficiaries income tax free, and it provides other advantages. “You can use perma-

nent life insurance while you’re still breathing,” Sause says. For example, you can withdraw money and you can borrow. People tend to see the life insurance premium they pay as another bill, he says, not unlike the cable TV or electric bills. Instead, Sause says, it could be seen as a contribution, much like the contribution to an IRA or a 401(k), because in addition to the death benefit protection, permanent life insurance has living benefits too. “It’s always hard to do someone’s planning based on what the future holds,” Sause says. “But with our national debt what it is, it’s likely tax rates are going to be higher years from now. So with retirement planning, it often becomes a matter of whether you want to pay your taxes now or pay them later.” 50+

50+ RG 6/17

50+ Lifestyles Resource Guide - Vol. 1, 2017

Preplanning • Preplanning

With Taxes ‘On Sale’ it Could Be Time To Convert To a Roth IRA

By Gary Marriage, Jr.

etirement can open up a whole new way of life for Americans ready to bring their working years to an end, but at least one thing doesn’t change. The IRS still keeps a watchful eye on your income – including whatever amount you’re pulling from the IRA or 401(k) that you spent decades building into a nice, hefty nest egg. Uncle Sam has been waiting for years – possibly decades – to tax that money because the deposits you made were pre-tax, meaning you weren’t taxed on the income you contributed to the accounts. That tax-deferral system works well – until retirement time arrives and you need the money. “When you defer taxes, eventually it catches up with you,” says Gary Marriage Jr., CEO of Nature Coast Financial Advisors (www.naturecoastfinancial.com), which educates retirees on how to protect their assets. “Suddenly, your IRA or 401(k) isn’t worth as much as you thought because every withdrawal you make potentially can be taxed.” page 12) But there’s an answer and, with (Continued President Donal

50+ Lifestyles Resource Guide - Vol. 1, 2017

Preplanning • Preplanning • Preplanning • Preplanning (“With Taxes”...Cont. from 11) But there’s an answer and, with President Donald Trump and Congress looking at tax cuts, now would be the time to take advantage, Marriage says. Those traditional IRA and 401(k) accounts can be converted to a Roth IRA, which isn’t taxed when withdrawals are made. That doesn’t mean you’ll avoid the taxes, Marriage says, because you’ll pay them when you make the conversion. But when you reach retirement, you’ll be able to make withdrawals the rest of your life tax free. “Taxes are about to be on sale,” Marriage says. “Over the next four to five years, your tax bracket is probably going to be as low as it ever will be.” Some facts about Roth conversions include:

• Space out the conversion. Most people wouldn’t want to take the tax hit all at once, and you don’t have to. You can transfer the money into a Roth in increments Those traditional IRA and 401(k) accounts can be converted to a Roth IRA, which isn’t taxed when withdrawals are made. That doesn’t mean you’ll avoid the taxes, because you’ll pay them when you make the conversion. But when you reach retirement, you’ll be able to make withdrawals the rest of your life tax free.

over the course of a few years. So if, for example, you space out the conversion over five years, then the tax is spaced out over five years as well. A few factors determine how much you can convert the first year, but Marriage says about 40 percent of the people he has worked with were able to convert half of it in the first year. • The age to do it. A conversion

can be done regardless of the account holder’s age, but Marriage says it’s his experience that people 59 ½ to 74 benefit the most. • Start with a Roth if possible. Some employers now offer a Roth 401(k) as an option. Employees should take advantage of that, Marriage says. They won’t get to defer their taxes on the portion of their income they contribute to the account, but the interest grows tax free and they’ll avoid taxes come retirement time. Marriage says he recently did a conversion for a client where he had calculated that if the client lived to be 90, they would have paid nearly $1 million in taxes on IRA withdrawals.“Switching to a Roth lowered that to $200,000,” he says. “That still sounds like a lot, but I’d rather pay $200,000 than nearly $1 million.” 50+

50+ Lifestyles Resource Guide - Vol. 1, 2017

Health & Medical Services • Health & Medical Services

When to Sign Up for Medicare ...and Why You Might Want to Delay. We Guide you Through the Medicare Maze By Kimberly Lankford, Contributing Editor, Kiplinger's Personal Finance

ou are eligible for Medicare when you turn 65. But these days, the decision to sign up is not a slam-dunk.

The Social Security Rule

If you enroll in Social Security before age 65, you’ll automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B when you turn 65. Part A covers hospital costs and is premium-free if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. Part B covers outpatient care, such as doctor visits, x-rays and tests, and costs most people $104.90 per month in 2015. Part B premiums are deducted from your

Social Security benefits. Call Social Security at 800-7721213 with details about your situation to make sure you won’t be penalized for enrolling late in B. If you haven’t claimed Social Security benefits, enrollment in Medicare isn’t automatic. If neither you nor your spouse has employer health coverage, you should sign up for both Part A and Part B. Go to SocialSecurity.gov to sign up three months before or after the month you turn 65—even if you aren’t signing up for Social Security. If you miss the seven-month window, you’ll be able to enroll in Medicare only at limited times dur-

ing the year (from January through March, with coverage starting July 1), and you may have to pay a lifetime late-enrollment penalty of 10% of the current Part B premium for every year you should have been enrolled in Part B. If you have coverage through an employer with 20 or more employees, you don’t have to sign up for Medicare when you turn 65 because the group policy pays first and Medicare pays second. “It’s really important to get that in writing,” says Casey Schwarz, of the Medicare Rights Center. (Continued on page 18)

50+ Lifestyles Resource Guide - Vol. 1, 2017

Health & Medical Services â&#x20AC;˘ Health & Medical Services

The Benefits of Meditation:

editation is becoming more widely accepted as a way to give your mind and body much needed peace, energy and healing. AgeWell New York offers health care coverage to maintain your overall health and well-being, and we encourage activities that promote healthy living. Practicing meditation has many benefits. Energy. A meditation routine can transform the way you respond to stress, which can drain energy levels. Meditation improves the quality of our sleep, giving us more energy for the day ahead. Inner peace. We are constantly on the go. Meditation gives you the

opportunity to take a break from your everyday activities and focus on just you. Positive thinking. Meditation can refresh your thoughts and behaviors to help you to focus on the positive, blocking out negative energies or thoughts. Emotional well-being. Practicing meditation can help you release anxiety, fears or stress. It helps increase your positive mood and gives you a sense of self-assurance and confidence. Physical strength and endurance. Various studies show that patients whom have chronic illnesses or disease often engage in meditation to help improve their emotional state, but to also strengthen their immune system. Meditation helps improve breathing and heart rate, reduces blood pressure, and overall promotes healthy heart, brain and functioning.

Find a quiet place and get into a comfortable position. Turn on calming music, sounds, guided meditations or just sit in complete silence. Focus on your breathing and tap into your unconscious. Your mind, body and soul will thank you for it. AgeWell New Yorkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Medicare Advantage Plans for those with Medicare, and those with both Medicare and Medicaid, provide access to a large network of physicians, preventive services, fitness programs, vision, dental, hearing and more. Call for eligibility and enrollment: 866-5868044 or agewellnewyork.com. 50+

50+ Lifestyles Resource Guide - Vol. 1, 2017

Health & Medical Services • Health & Medical Services

At Home Services: Keeping You Independent in Your Home

ince 1997, At Home Services for Independent Living owner Holly Vescovi, with more than 25 years’ experience in home health care, continues to provide quality care on the North and South Forks. The agency provides full and part-time home companion aides as well as 24 hour live-in care for the elderly and disabled. The agency’s services include meal preparation, light housekeeping, medicine reminders, incidental transportation, assistance with all daily living activities, and even assistance with pet care. All employees are thoroughly screened and all

payroll matters are managed by the agency. This family owned and operated agency puts a personal touch on caregiving by carefully planning each client’s individual needs. The agency’s goals are to provide quality services, to keep their clients independent in the comfort of their own home, and to offer the most affordable prices on the East End of Long Island. This allows for At Home Services to stand out from the rest. For more information: 631-7652273 or 631-477-3095; www.athomeeldercareservices.com; e-mail: athomeservice@optonline.net. 50+

(Retired?... continued from page 8) neediest member of your family – your home. A simple plumbing repair job can cost $300 to $500. A new refrigerator can be close to $1000. A leaking roof or basement can be $5000 to $10,000 to repair, and without proper insurance the claim may not be covered. It is important to call your agent at least once a year to review your insurance coverage. Make sure your deductibles are not too high or too low. Make sure you are not insuring things you no longer own.

Being retired is about enjoying friends and family, or spending time on hobbies or traveling. Hopefully, you are able to do these things and put money aside for the unexpected. In the long run you will be happy you did rather than building up bills and credit card debt you monthly cash flow cannot withstand. Michael Hartzman and Bristol Financial Services are located at 500 North Broadway, Suite 238, Jericho, NY; 516-349-5555; www.bristol-financial.com. 50+

50+ Lifestyles Resource Guide - Vol. 1, 2017

Health & Medical Services • Health & Medical Services (Medicare... Cont. from page 13) HSA versus Medicare

An HSA, which must be paired with a high-deductible policy, offers tax advantages, and some employers contribute money, too. But you can’t contribute to an HSA after you sign up for Medicare Part A or Part B. Before you delay signing up for Medicare to continue contributing to an HSA, do a cost-benefit analysis to determine whether the HSA tax breaks, employer contributions and other benefits are more valuable than free Part A. You should reassess your decision to choose the HSA instead of Medicare every year. You can also use HSA money tax-free to pay Medicare Part B, Part D and Medicare Advantage (but not medigap) premiums.

Adding up the cost of Medicare

Before you decide to sign up for Medicare or stay on an employer’s health plan, compare all the costs. Your employer’s coverage may be less expensive. You don’t pay a premium for Medicare Part A, which covers hospitalization. But for Medicare Part B, which covers outpatient care, most people pay $104.90 per month. Single enrollees earning more than $85,000 and married enrollees filing jointly and earning more than $170,000 pay $146.90 to $335.70 per person per month. Unless you have retiree health insurance, you’ll probably want a medigap policy and a Part D drug plan. Part D averages $32 per person (plus a high-income surcharge that boosts premiums by $12.30 to $70.80 per person if income is above $85,000 for singles or

$170,000 for couples). The most popular medigap policy, Plan F, has a median premium of $172 per month, according to Weiss Ratings. Even without the high-income surcharges, your monthly costs to sign up for Part B, medigap insurance and Part D will run about $309 per person per month. You may be able to save money by buying a Medicare Advantage plan, which offers medical and drug coverage through a private network of providers; you pay the Part B premium plus an average Medicare Advantage premium of $33.90 a month. You can get help with Medicare decisions from the Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights.org; 1800-333-4114) or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (www.shiptalk.org; 1-800633-4227). 50+

50+ Lifestyles Resource Guide - Vol. 1, 2017