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February 28, 2019

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BELLMORE HERALD LIFE â€” February 28, 2019

Boomers

February 28, 2019 — BELLMORE HERALD LIFE

Have you planned for long term care? What everyone needs to know

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• Yard work • Light fixtures & bulbs • Home organizing • Garage clean-up

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“I don’t know how we’d manage otherwise. Best service ever. Five stars.” - Joe H., Lynbrook

If you are fortunate, you will retain your physical and mental capacities throughout your life and can always live independently. But there are no guarantees for any of us. If you ever require some form of long-term care, will you be prepared? So what is the risk of needing long term care services? According to the Department of Health & Human Services, about 40 percent of individuals over age 65 receive some form of paid in-home care, with an average care period lasting less than one year. However, about one-third of the population receives care in a nursing home: Of those individuals, about half stay less than one year, 30 percent stay between one and three years, and 20 percent stay longer than five years. And, unfortunately, this care can be expensive. For example, it costs $97,500 per year, on average, for a private room in a nursing home, according to the 2017 Cost of Care Survey produced by Genworth, an insurance company. In some major metropolitan areas, the cost is much higher. Furthermore, Medicare typically pays only a small percentage of these expenses. So, how do you protect yourself against these potentially catastrophic costs? Essentially, you have four options. Self-insure: You can try to build enough financial assets to cover the costs of a long-term care event. However, you would need to accumulate an extremely large sum to fully protect yourself, and you’d be diverting assets that could be used to help fund your retirement. Long-term care insurance: A traditional long-term care (LTC) insurance policy will pay for qualified long-term care costs. The younger you are when you purchase your policy, the lower your annual premiums are likely to be. Keep in mind, though, that a basic LTC policy offers no death benefit or cash value — your premiums are only paying for a nursing home stay, home health care or other type of long term care service. (Also, even a good LTC policy will include a waiting period before the

insurance kicks in and a maximum amount of coverage, such as three years.) Hybrid/linked benefit insurance: Because of some concerns about paying for insurance but never needing care with traditional long-term care insurance, this type of insurance provides a death benefit plus longterm care coverage. You can accelerate the death benefit to help pay for long-term care costs, and you can also choose to create an additional pool for these costs after the death benefit has been exhausted. But if you don’t need long-term care, you still have the life insurance death benefit. Due to the death benefit, your premiums will be higher than those of a traditional long-term care policy. Life insurance with long-term care/ chronic illness rider: By choosing a permanent life insurance policy with this rider, you can accelerate all or part of the death benefit to pay for long-term care costs. (Your death benefit will then be reduced.) This option generally provides more flexibility in paying premiums than a hybrid policy, which may require a larger dollar commitment. Similar to hybrid, you still have the life insurance benefit if you don’t need care. Which option is best for you? There’s no one “right” answer for everyone, but a financial professional can help you choose the method that’s most appropriate for your situation. And from an economic standpoint — and possibly an emotional one, too — you may be better off by taking action sooner, rather than later. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by Steven Katz, a local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington, D.C., through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P., and in California, New Mexico and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C.; Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C.; and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C.

BELLMORE HERALD LIFE — February 28, 2019

What’s on your Bucket List?

Carpe Diem!

Finding the motivation and tools to finish your bucket list By Chelle Cordero In 2007, a movie premiered about two men who had terminal illnesses. Although they started out as strangers, they soon began traveling the world together, fulfilling the “Bucket List” one of them had written down. The term “bucket list” is a list of things to do before you die. The term is derived from “kick the bucket,” an idiom and euphemism for dying. The good news, though, is that a bucket list can be started at any age and no longer carries the morbid finality of being close to one’s deathbed. All people should write a list of all the things they would like to do, including places they would like to visit, activities they would like to try, concerts they want to attend and maybe even new foods they’d like to eat. Don’t worry if you can’t think of everything right now; there will be plenty of time to modify and add to your list, as you no longer have to wait until the twilight years to start it. The concept has become so popular that the internet is teeming with blogs about enjoying life and fulfilling bucket list activities. So, you start out with a list. It could be 10 or 100 items, and it might seem a bit overwhelming. These pie-in-the-sky dreams, although definitely exciting, may seem too far out of reach for the average human being, and before

long, this lengthy list with all of your fanciful dreams is shoved deep in a drawer and forgotten. Along with that forgotten list, the desires and hopes that were recorded slowly fade until there’s nothing but regrets about the things you could have done. Maybe, when you realize how close you are to the average life expectancy, you might try again, but you just don’t have the energy anymore to climb Mount Kilimanjaro or hike the Appalachian Trail. Here are some tips to get through your bucket list no matter what age you are when you start it. Write down anything and everything that thrills you over the thought of carrying it out. Next, prioritize and choose the three to five things you most want to do. What do you need to do in order to pursue any one of these items? For instance, if you want to fly a plane, you’ll need to get a pilot’s license, or at least take flying lessons toward that goal. You’ll need access to a plane, and you’ll probably have to file a flight plan. Take a look at the activity and decide if it is best to do in a particular season. These are the type of details you’ll have to work on in steps. Decide whether you need or would prefer a buddy to work with on an activity — such as hiking the Appalachian Trail. To work with a buddy, you would have to coordinate timing and even supplies, and

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both of you need to be in decent physical shape. Having a bucket list buddy helps with accountability, encouraging you to actually follow through on your list. Many people simply let their lists go because no one else is watching, but holding yourself accountable by sharing your dreams is a very strong motivator. Let your friends know about your bucket list, enlist their help and even participation and share your accomplishments when you get to cross something off as DONE. Annette White, author of “Bucket List Adventures: 10 Incredible Journeys to Experience Before You Die,” says: “The reminder that our time is limited is actually one of the best gifts given. It is one that can guide us to achieve what is most important to us before it is too late.” There are several bloggers who share their bucket list endeavors online. There are also sites where people are invited to join and post their lists within a group so everyone can see when you cross something off; each list owner begins to cheer everyone else on and is encouraged by hearing the success stories. It is never too early or too late to begin your bucket list. Carpe diem! Seize the day and enjoy life. n

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Encouragement is one of the most useful tools when it comes to maintaining a positive attitude.

A good attitude The one thing we need to keep going

By Mary Hunt Encouragement. For me it is a basic need, or perhaps a character flaw — I’m not quite sure. All I know is that I need encouragement, and I need it often. I have a feeling that you do, too. This matter of getting out of debt, living below our means and learning how to manage our money can be a very discouraging proposition at times. I want to become one of the encouragers in your life — someone you can count on to cheer you on in the good times and help dust you off so you can get up and back on track during the bad times. I want to be the one you can always count on to help you see the big picture, to point out the glimmers of joy in seasons of sorrow. I want to be there to help pull you up to the top of the mountain so you can see all the beauty below. Over the years I have built up my own collection of “encouragers.” Some are people, but some are books, websites and activities like exercise and prayer. I know the people, places and things that are a source of encouragement for me. I count on them. They help me to focus and give me the confidence I need to keep going. I try to concentrate more on them than on those people and situations that tend to be discouragers. One of my favorite encouragers is a short essay written by Chuck Swindoll, a well-known author. I’ve kept this close to me for years now and have read it so often I’ve memorized it. I want to encourage you to pay attention to your attitude. Print out the following if you can and then stick it in a place where you will see it the first thing every morning. Re-read it. Apply it to your life for the day. If you do this for one full month, you’ll have it committed to memory. And in the process you’ll have a new habit of choosing your attitude for the day even before you choose what to wear. Attitude The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company ... a church ... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past ... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it. n

Senior Update

Interview with Umbrella Neighbor Brad Cohen FUNERAL HOME Family FamilytotoFamily FamilyService ServiceSince Since 1914 1914

Can you tell us a little about yourself?F U N E R A L H O M E Family I’m a retired health care administrator and college Familyto toFamily FamilyService ServiceSince Since 1914 1914 professor. I grew up in Brooklyn and Queens and ultimately moved to Nassau County. How’d you come to be an Umbrella Neighbor and why do you do it? When I retired, I was looking for something to do. I have handy skills from fixing stuff around my own house for 20+ years. I saw an ad, talked with Sam, and signed up. I’ve done furniture assembly, electrical fixtures, painting, minor plumbing, cleaning out gutters. I enjoy all of that! I’ve always been interested in home repairs and renovations.

Since we’re family owned & operated, we have the flexibility to meet your individual needs. You will be served by people who are members of your community, where the best service is affordable. Todd W. Althenn, licensed funeral director & pre-need specialist

licensed funeral director & pre-need specialist

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GOLD! The Gold Seal reflects Mercy’s commitment and dedication to providing the highest standard in sepsis care.

hello@askumbrella.com • 516-882-4498 • askumbrella.com/herald Tel: 516-785-0225 • Fax: 516-785-5406 Senior Updates are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.

Mercy is the first hospital in New York to earn a Gold Seal from The Joint Commission in Sepsis Care. Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to infection. It is a life-threatening medical emergency.

mercymedicalcenter.chsli.org

516-62-MERCY (63729) 1000 N Village Ave, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 1021270

Mercy Medical Center

302 S. Bedford Avenue, Bellmore, N.Y. 11710

947973

302 S. Bedford Avenue, Bellmore, N.Y. 11710 Tel: 516-785-0225 • Fax: 516-785-5406

I like the idea of helping people that otherwise might not be able to do things on their own. Also, they get a visit from somebody. It’s nice to have somebody come into your house, especially if you live alone.

What’s a memorable Umbrella experience you’ve had? I went to assemble a backyard furniture set for About Umbrella someone. Half ofwe’re it had already been done and Since family owned & operated, weis have Umbrella the easy,the trusted way for people 65+ to when I got there all these parts were left over. So I care for their homes. Tell Umbrella what you need flexibility to meet your individual needs. You will did the other side and I still had all these parts and I done and get a vetted, skilled person from your said, “You me toby take apart thewho otherare side?” be want served people members of your comcommunity to help on your schedule for a flat, She said, “No, no. We’ll save the parts and if it falls munity, where the best service is affordable. affordable hourly rate. apart, we’ll call you.” I really like doing this. I’ve gotten to meet a lot of Call 516-882-4498 for more information. people — essentially my neighbors, people W. in myAlthenn, Todd community. 1020745 947973

February 28, 2019 — BELLMORE HERALD LIFE

Senior Update

BELLMORE HERALD LIFE — February 28, 2019

Sepsis is a medical emergency: causes, symptoms and treatment

Prevent: • Scrub the germs off by washing your hands.

Lather your hands with soap and running water, rub your palms, back of hands and between fingers for 20-30 seconds. Rinse and dry well; • Exercise caution by staying up-to-date with vaccinations. For example, the seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine, pneumococcal, childhood vaccinations; • Take antibiotics, if needed and as directed by your health care provider; • Schedule and keep appointments for medical checkups; • And seek treatment for possible Infections early. Therefore, keep cuts clean, dry and covered until healed as any infection can lead to sepsis.

Identify symptoms: • Shivering, fever, or very cold; • Extreme pain or general discomfort (“worst ever”); • Pale of discolored skin; • Sleepy, difficult to rouse, confused; • 0And shortness of breath. Treat sepsis: • Seek treatment immediately from a medical professional; • Educate yourself of the symptoms so you are aware of signs; • And act fast! Without timely treatment, sepsis can be deadly.

For more information, visit www.mercymedicalcenter.chsli.edu or call 516-62-MERCY (63729). *According to the CDC

1000 N. Village Ave., Rockville Centre 516-62-MERCY (63729) www.mercymedicalcenter.chsli.edu

Senior Updates are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.

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ach year, at least 1.7 million adults in the U.S. develop sepsis, the body’s extreme response to an infection, and nearly 270,000 Americans die as a result of sepsis*. Sepsis happens when an infection you already have — in your skin, lungs, urinary tract or somewhere else — triggers a chain reaction throughout your body. Without timely treatment, sepsis can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death. And, in most cases, sepsis occurs even before the patient is admitted to the hospital. Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre, a member of Catholic Health Services, is the first hospital in New York State to receive The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Sepsis Care. The Gold Seal reflects Mercy’s commitment and dedication to providing the highest standard in sepsis care. Mercy has been working on implementing a robust sepsis care program for the last several years. The program integrated evidence-based clinical practices into the medical management of sepsis and reduced risk in the community by educating our clinical staff and the public about the illness. Emily McMahon, RN, sepsis coordinator at Mercy and member of the Mercy Sepsis Program committee, underscores the importance of sepsis education and awareness. She offers the following tips on how to prevent, identify and treat sepsis.