KCR_Looking Forward_022819

Looking Forward Planning for Life After 50

With informative features on finance, health and wellness, retirement living and more!

DAILY CHRONICLE

Thursday, February 28, 2019

Thursday, February 28, 2019

| LOOKING FORWARD

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Different generations can learn and benefit from one another

individuals can be handy, it’s also limiting. Seniors who continue to age in place in mixed-age communities can extract joy from watching youthful children and young adults growing up, playing and socializing. Being around multiple generations also can spark interesting conversation, and all parties involved can learn something from one another.

Planning for the future. Younger generations may not understand the concept of “hard times” or “doing without” like a person who has lived through various ups and downs. Passing along advice about economic cycles, saving for the future and maintaining stability is one area of expertise at which many seniors excel.

Practicing interpersonal skills. All the technological savviness in the world cannot compensate for the power of strong interpersonal skills. Being able to address a group of people or speak one-on-one is essential in the workplace and in life. When younger generations speak to older adults, they may become stronger at verbal discourse and have greater perspective of different points of conversation.

Learning new technology. Younger generations can impart knowledge of technological devices to older adults. People with skills are usually happy to share their knowledge. Even if seniors aren’t ready to purchase tablets or smartphones, (MS) - In the not-so-distant past, extended families frequently lived in close they may be excited to have their grandchildren teach them about the latest gadproximity to one another. Such families shared meals and experiences and essengets. tially grew up together. Nowadays, families separate for various reasons, such as Providing sense of purpose. Both seniors and younger generations can job opportunities and cost of living concerns. realize a greater sense of purpose when interacting with one another. That person While there are advantages to spreading out, there are also some disadvantages, may be the reason the other one greets the day with a smile. Visits from grandnamely that grandparents and grandchildren may not see one another frequently children can reduce the liklihood of isolation and depression in older adults. And enough. Even though people of different age groups may not entirely have the younger generations can discover the benefits of personal social interaction rather same interests, the interactions between generations can benefit both young than communicating exclusively through social media apps. people and their aging relatives.

Fostering intergenerational connections is a great way to broaden social circles, Finding renewed vigor. Senior living and active lifestyle communities proimprove communication and learn new things. vide invaluable care and amenities for seniors. While being around like-minded

Things people should know about creating wills

(MS) - Drafting a last will and testament is an essential component of estate planning. Despite the importance of having a will, a recent survey from AARP found that two out of five Americans over the age of 45 do not have one.

Putting wishes down on paper helps avoid unnecessary work and sometimes heartache upon the death of a loved one. Wills allow heirs to act with the decedent’s wishes in mind, and can ensure that assets and possessions will end up in the right hands.

Estate planning can be tricky, which is why many people turn to attorneys to get the job done right. Attorneys who specialize in estate planning will no doubt discuss the following topics with their clients.

Assets owned: Make a list of known assets and figure out which assets are covered by the will and which will have to be passed on according to other estate laws, such as through joint tenancy on a deed or a living trust. For example, life insurance policies or retirement plan proceeds will be distributed to your named beneficiaries. A will also can cover other assets, such as photographs, clothing, cars, and jewelry.

Guardianship: Parents’ wills should include a declaration of who they want to become guardians their underage children or dependents.

Pets: Some people prefer to use their will to also dictate guardianship for their pets and to leave money or property to help care for those pets. However, pets do not have the legal capacity to own property, so one shouldn’t gift money directly to pets in a will.

Funeral instructions: Settling probate will not happen until after the funeral.

Therefore, funeral wishes in a will often go unnoticed, states the legal advisement resource Find Law. Executor: An executor is a trusted person who will carry out the terms of the will. This person should be willing to serve and be capable of executing the will.

People who die without a valid will become intestate. This means the estate will be settled based on the laws of where that person lived, and a court-appointed administrator will serve in the capacity to transfer property. This administrator will be bound by laws and may make decisions that go against the decedent’s wishes.

To avoid this outcome, a will and other estate planning documents are crucial.

(MS) - Many people dream of traveling the world in retirement. Such dreams come true every day. But many more retirees or people nearing retirement fear that their dreams of seeing the world won’t be possible due to mobility issues beyond their control. Thankfully, such fears are largely unwarranted.

Various conditions can affect men and women’s mobility. Many such issues tend to arise after age 50, prompting many people to believe their post-retirement travel plans will never come to fruition. Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD; and heart disease may make it hard for people to travel. But that difficulty doesn’t mean aging men and women should resign themselves to a sedentary lifestyle. Though they

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might require a little extra effort before boarding a plane for parts unknown, the following are a handful of ways that aging men and women with limited mobility can reap the rewards of traveling.

Contact airlines or other transportation companies if you require special accommodations. The U.S. Department of Transportation notes that passengers are generally not required to provide advanced notice for disabilityrelated accommodations. However, it makes sense to provide such notice anyway. By doing so, men and women with limited mobility can ensure they will have adequate assistance during their trips. When made aware of passengers’ mobility issues, airlines or other travel companies may arrange for wheelchairs to be available at the gates or train platforms so passengers can easily make connecting flights and trains. In addition, advance notice gives companies a chance to provide seating accommodations that can make for a more enjoyable trip.

Contact security agencies. Security is part of modern travel, so travelers, especially those traveling by air, should expect to go through security checkpoints during their trips. Travelers with limited mobility should contact the security agencies in their home country as well as those in any country they plan to visit to get an idea of what they can expect. Knowing these guidelines in advance can help people with limited mobility determine if they should arrive extra early so they can make it through security checkpoints in time to make their flights or trains.

Contact hotels directly. Each country has its own laws regarding how to accommodate people with physical disabilities or mobility issues, so don’t leave things to chance. Before booking a hotel room abroad, travelers with limited mobility should contact the hotel directly to confirm that it can accommodate their needs.

Men and women with limited mobility can still enjoy the wonders of travel, even if it requires some extra effort before embarking on their trips.

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LOOKING FORWARD | Thursday, February 28, 2019

How to travel even if you have limited mobility

New technology promotes healthy aging in place (BPT) - As millions of baby boomers reach their golden years, they’re changing the world yet again, this time by driving a booming market in seniorfriendly aging-in-place technologies. From simple wearable devices to high-tech monitoring systems, the list of gadgets designed to help aging boomers stay independent is extensive and growing.

Home-based technology tools are a great way to deliver peace of mind to caregivers and family members who want to help an aging parent or grandparent stay safe in their home, and to combat the debilitating isolation that often accompanies growing older.

Here’s a look at a few of the innovative technologies that are revolutionizing aging, and the benefits they provide.

Digital solutions for staying in touch. It’s easy nowadays to take using smartphones or other digital technology for granted. But for many seniors, it has never been an integral part of their lives, meaning they can be left out of the family communications loop. Filling that gap are products like GrandPad, powered by Consumer Cellular. It’s a touchscreenbased tablet with simplified apps that let older users easily make voice or video calls, send and receive email, share photos, stream music and enjoy other recreational activities such as digital games.

GrandPad also offers comprehensive security,

Thursday, February 28, 2019

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operating on a closed private network to guard against online scams, and can be managed by a designated family administrator for added personalization and protection. Plus, it’s offered by Consumer Cellular, a provider with a long history of serving the senior market.

Fall alerts can be lifesavers. Wearable devices that monitor and track health are becoming more popular among all ages. However, for seniors, especially those without a caretaker in the home, they can be lifesaving. With just the press of a button, help can be summoned for a wide range of emergency situations.

The most valuable types of these personal emergency response devices include accurate fall detection; falls are a leading cause of death for adults age 65 and older. Devices can automatically alert 911 or a close family member the moment a fall has been detected. This is especially valuable for aging-in-place situations where stairs are present.

Smarter access to healthcare and medications. As their mobility declines, it may become more difficult for seniors to make it to the doctor’s office.

In response, many providers now offer video consultation for those who cannot come in for an appointment. This technology is ideal for those suffering from minor ailments that do not necessarily require an in-person visit.

In addition, for many seniors, medication regimens can become difficult to follow, and the misuse of prescribed medications can lead to negative health consequences. One technology on the rise, especially for those without assistance in the home, is the automated pill counter designed to alert and properly dispense all medications that need to be taken.

In-home tracking for safety. Placing activity sensors throughout the house is becoming a more and more popular way to monitor loved ones who are living unassisted. Sensors can be placed in multiple discreet locations, like doors, cabinets, windows or beds to track movement around the house and report back to a caretaker or family member.

If the sensors haven’t tracked movement in an expected amount of time, alerts can be set up to ensure a designated family member, caretaker or friend is notified to check in on the senior. Tracking and monitoring systems run the gamut from units that are integrated with a full in-home security system, to simple free-standing versions that are less costly and more mobile, but may also be less sensitive.

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Thursday, February 28, 2019

| LOOKING FORWARD

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Exercises to support stronger hips Good Morning

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and keep your hands at your sides.

With your knees slightly bent and your back naturally arched, bend at your hips as if you’re bowing out of respect as far as you can go, or until your torso is almost parallel to the floor. Return to the starting position. During the exercise, keep your core braced and don’t bow your back.

Hip Abduction

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Loop a resistance band around both ankles, and then raise your right leg out to the side as far as you can. Hold in this position for a moment before slowly returning to the starting position. Switch legs and then repeat the exercise on the other side.

Hip Adduction

Loop one end of a resistance band low around a solid object, then stand to the left of that object before looping the other end of the band around your right ankle.

Place your legs shoulder-width apart, and then pull in your right leg until your (MS) - Surgery is not an inevitable side effect of aging. In fact, men and women ankles touch. Repeat with your left leg, this time moving to the right side of the over 50 can employ various preventive techniques to strengthen their bones and object. joints in the hopes of avoiding the surgical wing of their local hospitals.

According to AARP, more than 370,000 men and women undergo hip replace- Glute Bridge ment surgeries in the United States each year. Some may think such surgeries are a Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Raise your final solution to their hip pain, but that might not be the case, as AARP notes than hips to form a straight line from your shoulders to your knees, using some type of one in 10 hip replacement recipients will need a second procedure for any number support if you need to. Clench your butt at the top of the movement, pause, and of reasons, including infection or mechanical failure. lower yourself back down.

A proactive approach that focuses on strengthening and protecting the hips can Men and women unaccustomed to exercise should consult their physicians help aging men and women reduce their risk of one day needing hip replacement before performing any of these exercises. In addition, if necessary, perform the exsurgery. The following are a handful of exercises, courtesy of the AARP, that can ercises under the supervision of a personal trainer who can advise you on proper help men and women strengthen their hips. form and help you reduce your risk of injury.

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Whether it’s advice from their parents, a response to television ads urging viewers to save for retirement, or their own financial savvy, many of today’s young professionals recognize the importance of saving for retirement from the moment they receive their first paychecks. But men and women over 50 may not have been so practical, and many such professionals may feel a need to save more as their retirements draw ever closer.

Saving for retirement might seem like a no-brainer, but the National Institute on Retirement Security notes that, in 2017, almost 40 million households in the United States had no retirement savings at all. In addition, the Employee Benefit Research Institute found that Americans have a retirement savings deficit of $4.3 trillion, meaning they have $4.3 trillion less in retirement savings than they should.

Men and women over 50 who have retirement savings deficits may need to go beyond depositing more money in their retirement accounts in order to live comfortably and pay their bills in retirement. The following are a few simple ways to start saving more for retirement.

Redirect nonessential expenses into savings.

Some retirement accounts, such as IRAs, are governed by deposit limits. But others, such as 401(k) retirement plans, have no such limits. Men and women can examine their spending habits in an effort to find areas where they can cut back on nonessential expenses, such as cable television subscriptions and dining out. Any money saved each month can then be redirected into savings and/or retirement accounts.

Reconsider your retirement date.

Deciding to work past the age of 65 is another way men and women over 50 can save more for retirement. Many professionals now continue working past the age of 65 for a variety of reasons. Some may suspect they’ll grow bored in retirement, while others may keep working out of financial need. Others may simply love their jobs and want to keep going until their passion runs out. Regardless of the reason, working past the age of 65 allows men and women to keep earning and saving for retirement, while also delaying the first withdrawal from their retirement savings accounts.

Reconsider your current and future living situation.

Housing costs are many people’s most considerable expense, and that won’t necessarily change in retirement. Even men and women who have paid off their mortgages may benefit by moving to a region with lower taxes or staying in the same area but downsizing to a smaller home where their taxes and utility bills will be lower. Adults who decide to move to more affordable areas or into smaller, less expensive homes can then redirect the money they are saving into interest-bearing retirement or savings accounts.

Many people begin saving for retirement the moment they cash their first professional paycheck. But even adults over the age of 50 sometimes feel a need to save more as their retirement dates draw closer, and there are many ways to do just that.

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LOOKING FORWARD | Thursday, February 28, 2019

How to save more for retirement after age 50

Thursday, February 28, 2019

| LOOKING FORWARD

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Learn to downsize before a move

(MS) - Aging men and women often take inventory of their lives in an effort to focus on activities or lifestyle changes that can ensure happy retirements. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows there are some 76 million baby boomers — those people born between 1946 to 1964 — across the country. With the youngest of the boomers in their mid-50s and the majority having already reached retirement age, many boomers are trying to decide if it’s time to move out of their family homes and into smaller, more manageable abodes.

Many older adults find they do not need the same amount of space as they did when they had children living at home. Retirees and those on the cusp of retirement may find that downsizing is a smart financial move that frees up more time

for recreation.

However, it can be challenging to cut down on living space and then deal with figuring out how to make furniture, belongings and stored items fit in more condensed areas. Moving can be stressful even without having to cut down on prized items. Taking an inventory of belongings can help the process go smoothly.

Before moving, men and women can go room by room, making piles of items that will be kept, donated, sold, or discarded. This can be a tedious task, but it is necessary to avoid clutter in a new home.

People downsizing can attempt to sell items they do not need via newspaper classified sections or online classified sites. Appliances and furniture in excellent shape may fetch good prices. Any extra cash can be put toward buying new items that are size-appropriate for the smaller home.

Another way to clear out clutter is to sort duplicates from the stock of items.

A person may no longer need multiple sets of dishes or silverware. If the move involves switching from a king-sized to a queen-sized bed, donate or trash bed linens that will no longer fit. Pay close attention to kitchen and bathroom items, which tend to accumulate over time but might not be discarded when clearing a home of clutter.

People moving from a detached home to a condominium or a townhouse may learn that homeowner’s association fees cover everything from snow removal to lawn maintenance to pool upkeep. If so, it’s unnecessary to bring lawn and garden supplies.

Homeowners are advised to look at the floor plan of their new dwellings and pay attention to storage space. This can make it easier to plan ahead for what may fit, what will need to be purchased new and which storage solutions may be needed. Having a plan in place can make unpacking and settling in go smoothly.

The organizing company Organize Me says that homeowners should consider how cabinets and closets will be used before moving in.

Downsizing can free up time and money. When done right, downsizing can make retirement easier and create more leisure time for retirees.

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