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A Colorful Look at Life After 50
Kaleidoscope SPRING 2015
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Kaleidoscope Spring 2015
friend to be made. A story to be told. A Wisdom to be learned. Everyone is someone. They are our mothers. Our fathers. Ourselves. People who have come to see life for the remarkable journey it has been and that is still to come. People who — better than anyone — can help us all find meaning and purpose. As the nation’s largest not-for-profit provider of senior care and services, we believe everyone deserves to feel loved, valued and at peace, all while being treated with dignity.
To learn more about our community in Prophetstown, call (815) 537-5175.
The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society provides housing and services to qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, or other protected statuses according to applicable federal, state or local laws. All faiths or beliefs are welcome. Copyright © 2012 The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society. All rights reserved.
Kaleidoscope Spring 2015
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Inside ... Publisher Sam R. Fisher
A diamond was a Sterling man’s best friend ........... Page 4
Advertising Director Jennifer Barta
Cars put safety in the driver’s seat ........................ Page 10
Advertising Sales Jill Reyna Kelly Shroyer
Cabin fever runs high among seniors.................... Page 14
Editors Larry Lough Rusty Schrader
A 110-year-old wins the genetic lottery ................ Page 16 Does the Social Security raise help that much? .... Page 21 Seniors can catch a break on April 15 ................... Page 24
Articles and advertisements are the property of Sauk Valley Media, P.O. Box 498, Sterling, IL 61081, 815-625-3600. No portion may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Ad content is not the responsibility of Sauk Valley Media. The information in this guide is believed to be accurate; however, Sauk Valley Media cannot and does not guarantee its accuracy. Sauk Valley Media cannot and will not be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services provided by advertisers listed in any portion of this magazine.
WIERSEMA CHARTER SERVICE, INC. 30-56 Passenger Coaches Gift CertificatesAvailable!
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Feb. 21 Mar. 14 Mar. 17 Mar. 21 April 1
April 22 April 24 April 29 May 14 July 1 July 10 July 24 Aug 1 Aug 7 Aug 13
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Visit our website for complete list of trips & tours www.wiersemacharter.com
2015 DAY TRIPS
Sept. 23 Sept. 24 Sept. 26 Sept. 28 Sept. 29 Oct. 9 Oct. 10 Oct. 21 Nov. 6 Nov. 7 Nov. 14 Nov. 21 Dec. 2 Dec. 5
“West Side Story”, Fireside Dinner Theatre “Fall Festival of Crafts”, Sandwich Fairgrounds (inside & outside) Big Things, Water & Apples, Peoria “Legacy Girls ‘50’s - ’60’s”, Starved Rock Lodge Fall Colors - IL, IA, WI, Lunch in Balltown, IA Fall Colors - IL, IA, WI, Lunch in Balltown, IA “Scarecrow Festival & Crafts”, St. Charles, IL “Route 66”, Circa ‘21 Dinner Theatre Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg “A Wonderful Life”, Fireside Dinner Theatre “Christmas in the Country”, Craft Show Sandwich, IL (indoors) Gurnee Outlet Mall, Gurnee, IL Downtown Shopping, Chicago Downtown Shopping, Chicago
Call to reserve your Chicago Cubs Tickets NOW!!! Watch for our November Branson Tour!!!
15049 Lyndon Rd., Morrison 815-772-2232 • 800-829-2130
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Kaleidoscope Spring 2015
He still has a soft spot for the game Decades after he last swung a bat, Sterling man’s days as world-class softball player are still among his biggest thrills BY DOUGLAS J. SMITH Special to Kaleidoscope
One definition that Webster’s dictionary gives for the word great is, “With exceptional talents, or having made remarkable achievements.” Those words certainly describe the softball career of 89-year-old Howard “Boots” Boostrom. From 1947 to 1957, and then again in 1962, Boostrom was a dominant force in men’s fast-pitch softball. In an era dominated by what would later become Hall of Fame pitchers, Boostrom, now of Sterling, carved his way to greatness by swinging an opposing bat. He won all-state player honors in 5 of his 11 years of play (1952-54, 1957, and 1962), and he was an all-American in 1957, the year he won the national batting title with a .352 average. BOOSTROM CONTINUED ON 6
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Howard “Boots” Boostrom of Sterling points out his picture in a 1957 team photo. Boostrom was a dominant force in men’s fast-pitch softball.
IF YOU’RE
50+
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Have fun, enjoy friends on Four Seasons daytrips and tours. Join us for monthly card parties and special Four Seasons events.
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Call for more information on upcoming trips and events! A club with year ‘round activities for our seasoned customers 50+.
For details, call one of our Club Directors: Betty Snitchler 815-622-3362 • Pam Stange 815-288-3327
Kaleidoscope Spring 2015
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Kaleidoscope Spring 2015
Back on the homefront, stepping up to home plate BOOSTROM
CONTINUED FROM 4
From 1952-57, and again in 1962, Boostrom played in the World Championship Series of the International Softball League – and he did it while playing for four different teams. Boostrom was exceptional at what he did, and what he did was hit the ball. The road to greatness began Feb. 21, 1925, in Galva, where Boostrom was born to Albin and Gladys Boostrom. After playing baseball and basketball in high school, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1943, during World War II, but saw no combat action while stationed in the South Pacific. He returned to Galva when he was discharged in January 1946. He married Helen Florea on Aug. 24, 1947. They have a son, two daughters, three grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Boostrom began his fast-pitch softball career
in the 1946-47 season with the Bishop Hill Swedes. His teammates called him “Lefty,” because he was a left-handed hitter. He remained with Bishop Hill through 1952, the year he won the first of his five all-state honors. That same year, the Bishop Hill squad entered the International Softball League’s World Championship Series, but didn’t advance.
In 1953, the Boostroms moved to Tampico. He played for the Tampico Merchants team and won his second all-state honor. The Tampico team advanced to the World Championship Series, but again his team was eliminated in the early rounds. The next season, he played for the New Bedford Elites, where he was dubbed “Boots.” “... Whenever I would come to the plate, the fans would chant ‘Boots … Boots … Boots,’” he recalled. “I got a lot of hits, and I hit a lot of home runs with the New Bedford team,” he said. “I had a high I got a lot of hits, batting average, always in the and I hit a lot of .300’s. I guess I didn’t want to home runs with disappoint.” the New Bedford He needn’t have worteam. I had a high ried. batting average, Boostrom played with always in the .300’s. the Elites from 1954 I guess I didn’t want through 1957, pickto disappoint. ing up all-state player Howard “Boots” Boostrom awards in ’54 and ’57.
‘‘
H
ome
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BOOSTROM CONTINUED ON 8
Where they raised you... Where they want to stay
We can help.
“Where Better To Be Than At Home?” 3408 E. 23rd St., Sterling 815-626-3467 • 815-284-3467 Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
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www. g a f f e y hom e nur s ing a nd hos p ic e . c om
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To arrange a visit contact Denise Garcia, Marketing Director 815-625-7045 marketing@hw-sterling-slf.com
2205 Oak Grove Ave., Sterling (3 Blocks N. of W. LeFevre) Managed by BMA Management, Ltd. www.bma-mgmt.com
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Kaleidoscope Spring 2015
‘... the love of softball was my biggest thrill’ BOOSTROM
CONTINUED FROM 6
The New Bedford team also made the league’s World Championship Series in each of those seasons, placing fifth in 1954. From 1955-57, the championship series was held at Bollman Memorial Stadium in New Bedford. In front of the home crowd, the Elites finished third in 1955 and 1956. In 1957, they advanced to the championship game, but lost 1-0 to place second. Boostrom took all-American honors in 1957, and won the national batting title. Although he didn’t compile his statistics through his 11 seasons, he did have newspaper articles from the 64 games he played in ’57, when he hit 11 home runs, including two games with two home runs each. Anyone involved in softball can tell you that 11 home runs is an impressive record. The International Softball Congress Hall of Fame has career statistics that show as few as eight home runs could put a player among the top 100 in the nation. After the 1957 season, Boostrom hung
up his his bat and retired from softball. That November, he began his career as a state trooper, and was a range officer for 25 years. He remained competitive, though, winning awards as a bowler in his private life and as a marksman as a professional. In 1962, at the behest of softball teammates, Boostrom came out of retirement to join the Prophetstown Merchants, who went on to win the Illinois state title with the help of his bat. He won his fifth and final all-state player award. The Merchants advanced to the league’s World Championship Series in Rock Island, but were eliminated in the first round. Boostrom again hung up his bat, retiring his softball career once and for all. He retired as a range officer in 1982, and he and Helen moved to Sterling in 2003. His memories of softball are still vivid. “Just the love of softball was my biggest thrill,” he said. “I played with and against some of the best softball players in the world: Jim Boender, Charlie Toppert, Jim Aversing, Gary Dod, Dick Pobanz, all great competitors, all in the Hall of Fame, and all good friends.
Alex T. Paschal/apachal@saukvalley.com
Pictures, trophies and other memorabilia of Howard “Boots” Boostrom’s athletic exploits decorate his Sterling garage. “I was a lucky man to be with these guys. I would do it all again. What a great bunch of guys.”
124 Liberty Court, Dixon, IL 815.285.2000
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Kaleidoscope Spring 2015
Cars put safety in the driver’s seat New features can help keep older drivers safe The Associated Press
With a swell of baby boomers entering their golden years, there are now more senior citizens on the road than ever, with 84 percent of Americans age 65 and older licensed to drive, compared to barely half in the early 1970s. A recent report issued by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety also determined that 68 percent of motorists 85 or older continue to drive 5 or more days a week. But seniors’ determination to remain on the road doesn’t come without certain risks and challenges. A separate survey conducted by Liberty Mutual Insurance in Boston found that 78 percent of older drivers remain mobile, despite declining physical abilities. While automakers are reluctant to market their models specifically with an older demographic in mind, a plethora of features are available on a wide variety of today’s cars and trucks that can help keep them safer and more comfortable behind the wheel. CARS CONTINUED ON 12
Metro Art Service
With more and more baby boomers entering their golden years, more senior citizens are on the road than ever, and while automakers are reluctant to market models specifically with an older demographic in mind, many features are available to help keep older drivers – and the people around them – safer.
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Retirement Living at its best! Keep us in mind for short-term respite care. I would like to thank this great community for 40 years of ongoing support. I truly believe this amazing staff takes exceptional care for the ones you love.�
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H
40
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A G E S Q UA T I ER
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ANNIVERSARY
2014
DIXON, IL
Heritage ge ge Square
620 N. Ottawa, Dixon
(815)288-2251 www.heritagesquaredixon.com
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Kaleidoscope Spring 2015
There’s a bumper crop of safety features in cars CARS
CONTINUED FROM 10
For starters, not all car seats are created equal. The best are those that offer multiposition adjustments, with selectable seat height and lumbar support. Seat bottoms should come between the driver’s mid-thigh and lower buttocks for optimal comfort. Heated seats – or even better, the heated massaging seats offered on a few higher-end models – can help ease creaking joints or lower back pain while en route. Drivers with arthritic hands, painful or stiff fingers or diminished fine motor skills should look for cars that come with a remote pushbutton entry/start feature that eliminates ever having to use a key. Likewise, a power remote-operated trunk or hatchback is effortless to use, and a few models now allow a driver to engage this feature by merely passing his or her foot under the rear bumper. Tilt and telescoping steering wheels and power adjustable brake/ accelerator pedals help drivers of all sizes find an optimal “fit.”
Seniors with vision problems should look for vehicles with a digital speedometer readout that can be easier to spot and process at a glance than a conventional gauge. Some costlier cars offer a so-called head-up display that projects the vehicle’s speed and other pertinent information onto the inside of the windshield in a motorist’s line of sight to help keep eyes focused on the road ahead. Those driving at night can benefit from adaptive headlamps that pivot in conjunction with the car’s steering angle to more effectively light the way through curves; some can even automatically switch between high and low beams as needed (and to prevent blinding drivers in oncoming traffic). Choosing a model that comes with parking proximity warnings and/or a rearview camera can help drivers with diminished upper body range of motion by minimizing twisting and upper body rotation. A few vehicles offer a self-parking feature that automatically steers the auto into a suitably sized parallel-parking space with minimal work on the driver’s part. Perhaps most importantly, several high-tech accident-avoidance safety
features are available can be especially valuable to drivers with diminished reaction times. Blind-spot warning systems alert a driver to the presence of other cars to the side and rear of the vehicle on the highway, and some do the same for cross traffic when backing out of a garage or parking space. Lane departure warning systems warn drivers if the vehicle is inadvertently veering into another line of traffic; a few systems use the brakes or steering to help “nudge” the vehicle back into the lane. Forward collision-warning systems issue a visual and/or audible warning if the car is closing in on a vehicle or other obstruction in its path too quickly, with the best such systems being able to automatically apply the brakes if the driver isn’t responding quickly enough. Some manufacturers offer low-speed auto-braking systems designed to work in city traffic and prevent both rear-end collisions and accidents with pedestrians and bicyclists. Some models will automatically engage the brakes while the car is in reverse gear if sensors determine a pedestrian, vehicle or object is in the vehicle’s path.
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Kaleidoscope Spring 2015
Cabin fever runs high among seniors But there are things they can do to help cure the winter blues The Associated Press
While winter’s cold temperatures and extreme weather can be an isolating time for many, it can be particularly tough on seniors. When driving conditions deteriorate, and roads are slippery, many seniors don’t feel safe enough to venture out of their homes. Others just don’t like the cold and often forgo regular activities and visits with family and friends that involve going outdoors. However, regular social and cognitive activities are necessary for maintain-
ing optimal health and independence and are often key to fighting through the winter blues. That’s why it can be important for seniors to find innovative ways to maintain a safe, consistent level of activity year-round. Staying connected and active can contribute to seniors’ well-being and mental sharpness.
Technology Having access to helpful technology can be beneficial. According to the Administration on Aging, 12 million seniors live alone in the U.S. Fortunately, when armed with the right technology, these seniors don’t have to spend the winter months in isolation. For example, mobile medical alert services offer seniors the peace of mind many of them need to venture out of their homes. They can come equipped
with advanced locating and fall detection technology that adds extra reassurance that help will be there when and if needed. Additionally, there are mobile response apps that seniors can use to connect to the same emergency call centers offered through traditional and mobile medical alert services. With the added confidence from these technologies, seniors can feel empowered to get out of the house and engage in the activities they love to do, even during the winter months. The Internet also provides ways to stay connected during the winter. According to The Journals of Gerontology, the Internet has been shown to reduce the probability of depression by 33 percent. WINTER CONTINUED ON 15
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12420 W. Penn Road - Polo, IL - 815-946-3081
Kaleidoscope Spring 2015
WINTER
CONTINUED FROM 14
Internet-enabled solutions, such as email, social media (e.g., Facebook) and Skype, are all ways to keep in touch. While distance and weather can sometimes get in the way of faceto-face communication, seniors can stay socially engaged and involved through technology when traveling isn’t an option.
Volunteering and hobbies Volunteering can also be a rewarding way for seniors to get involved in their community and meet new people. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, 24 percent of those over the age of 65 in the U.S. perform volunteer work, and they report lower levels of disability and higher levels of well-being. Additionally, the quiet months of winter can be a good time to take up a new hobby – for example, joining a local bridge club or knitting circle. There are also exercise classes designed for seniors, which is a good way to stay active and social.
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Tips for keeping warm in winter
People 65 and older account for nearly half of all hypothermia deaths. Symptoms include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness. The leading reason for hypothermia in the elderly is poorly heated homes. Home Instead Senior Care offers these tips for protecting seniors in cold: weather: • Maintain the thermostat at 65 degrees, at least. • Put a carbon monoxide detector near where residents sleep. • Ensure there is adequate insulation and check and clean the fireplace and furnace. • Replace furnace filters each month. • Minimize drafts by filling old socks with sand and using them at drafty windowsills and door jams. • Place weatherstripping around windows and doors. • Keep doors to unused rooms closed, and close curtains at night. • Add an extra blanket to the bed, and warm the bed in advance with a hot water bottle. (Electric blankets never should be used, because it may be difficult to operate the controls if the temperature needs adjustment at night.) • Dress in layers of loose-fitting clothing. • If you go outside, make sure your head is covered. • Icy conditions increase the risk of a fall. To help prevent falls, stretch limbs to loosen muscles.
• Handrails should be installed outside for frequently used walkways. • If you use a cane or walker, make sure rubber tips are not worn smooth. • Make arrangements for someone to shovel and salt your driveway and walkways. Professional caregivers can help with tasks like bringing in mail and picking up groceries. • Wear shoes and boots with nonskid soles. • Seasonal affective disorder can affect anyone, including seniors. Signs to watch for are a loss of energy, increased appetite, and enhanced symptoms of lethargy and tiredness. If symptoms show, talk to a medical provider about treatment . • Building a network can help with emergency preparedness. Stay in touch with family, friends, and neighbors by scheduling phone calls, or asking a professional caregiver to come in for an hour a week. • Arrangements should be made for help in case of a blizzard or power outage. • Important telephone numbers should be kept in an emergency kit, along with nonperishable foods, water, and medications.
Mt. Morris, IL 815-734-4103 www.pinecrestcommunity.org
Est. 1893. Caring. Committed. Christian.
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Kaleidoscope Spring 2015
She won the genetic lottery And for Ruth Adler, the lucky number is 110 BY BARBARA BROTMAN Tribune News Service
CHICAGO – Ruth Adler reads three newspapers a day, lives in a comfy lakefront condo and has just achieved elite status beyond most people’s imagining, let alone reach. On Jan. 11, as confirmed by her Cook County birth certificate, she turned 110 years old. Turn it around in your mind. A century plus a decade. When she talks about her brother’s death in the war, she is talking about World War I. It is remarkable enough when someone turns 100, much less anything older. My own mother will turn 101 in a few weeks, to my fascination and amazement. But at 110, Adler joins the tiny demographic slice dubbed supercentenarians.
Ruth Adler, seen here in December 2014, turned 110 in January. How does she enjoy her status as one of only a handful of people to reach 110? “It’s hard to evaluate,” she said. Chris Walker/TNS
ADLER CONTINUED ON 19
All the Comforts of Home
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Formerly Coventry Living Center
We care for your loved ones like family.
• Skilled Care • Short Term Rehab • Traditional Care • Speech • Occupational and Physical Therapies 612 W. 23rd Street, Sterling, IL 61081 • 815-626-9020 • www.coventrylivingcenter.com
Kaleidoscope Spring 2015
Why build a hospice home? • Growth of hospice population • Large number of aging baby boomers and shortage of family caregivers, both creating a greater need for hospice care • Need for a specialized environment to treat hospice patients short-term acute medical issues • Alternative option for end-of-life care • Need for caregiver relief • Need for caregiver assistance • Ability for family members to participate in the care of their loved one • Lack of another hospice home within 30 miles of Sterling • Serving a five county area
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FULFILLING A NEED ...with the new Hospice of the Rock River Valley Hospice Home
You can help:
Building the Hospice of the Rock River Valley Hospice Home will require community-wide support.Your tax-deductible gift is important to create this essential resource for people and families facing a life-limiting illness. Gifts of any size are appreciated and can be made in several ways. Please contact Carolyn Spencer for details at 815-2288-33673 or carolyn@hospicerockriver.org
815-288-3673 • www.hospicerockriver.org
Lee-Ogle Transportation System will take you you need to go Monday through Friday from 6am to 6pm.
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Kaleidoscope Spring 2015
Prescriptions Filled. Expectations Exceeded. We go the extra mile to ensure you recieve the friendly service, low prices, convenient access and pharmacy expertise you expect.
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Kaleidoscope Spring 2015
19
Adler went from boredom to businesswoman ADLER
CONTINUED FROM 16
There were only 77 people validated as having reached the age of 110 living in the world as of September 2014, according to the Gerontology Research Group. The organization estimates an actual total number of 300 to 450 people worldwide. Adler, who soon could be 78th on the validated list, sat in her North Side apartment the other day with Jody Weinberg, a relative who is her close and beloved companion, and chatted amiably. Although she needs a walker to get around and is hard of hearing, and has full-time help, she is in fairly good health. Her memory isn’t perfect, but whose is? Before I met her the other day, I failed to remember that I had actually met her in 2003, when I wrote a story about a synagogue knitting group that donated their work to people in need. It wasn’t until she mentioned that she had been a longtime member of the knitting group at nearby Emanuel Congrega-
TRUST
‘‘
She wouldn’t say this about herself, but she took care of them. They became family Jody Weinberg, friend of Ruth Adler
’’
tion that light began to dawn. So, big deal about the memory. And Adler’s is actually pretty good, though to my relief she didn’t remember having met me before either. She told of growing up on the South Side, where her father owned a hardware store that made deliveries with the help of a horse that lived in a barn behind their house. She was the youngest of five children in a family that was comfortably middle-class and remained so even after her father died in his late 50s. “My mother learned how to handle
Over 50 years of combined trust experience
money,” she said. “And I learned how, too.” After her family moved to the North Side, she met and married Sidney Adler. He worked in advertising, and they had a rich life filled with travel and friends from the synagogue. But she grew bored. When she was 50, she got a job with Arbitron telephoning people and asking what they were watching on TV. Then she started a market research firm of her own, in her den. She hired women, most of whom had few other opportunities to work, to interview people about new products. Some of the women were in rough financial straits, Weinberg said. “She wouldn’t say this about herself, but she took care of them,” she said. “They became family.” But Adler was also a straight-talking businesswoman, Weinberg said. When Adler described her style as easygoing and averse to disagreement, Weinberg affectionately rolled her eyes. “Are you kidding?” she said. “People were afraid of her. Me especially.”
Come Together
ADLER CONTINUED ON 20
& Join The Fun!
L to R: Amanda Walter, Angela DeVries, Sarah Wittenauer, Cathy Lauer
The First National Bank in Amboy is Lee County’s locallyowned Trust Department.We ensure that your property will be handled and ultimately passed on… in the way you desire.
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AMBOY
220 E. Main St. • 301 E. Joe Dr. 815-857-3625
Lunch Served Daily from 11:30-12:30 Educational Programs | Senior Services Daily Activities | Social Trips Computer Resource Center
WHITESIDE COUNTY SENIOR CENTER 1207 West Ninth Street, Sterling • 815.622.9230 • 888.622.9230 www.whitesidecsc.org • Monday-Friday 8am - 4pm
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Kaleidoscope Spring 2015
The guy upstairs isn’t ready for Ruth Adler ADLER
CONTINUED FROM 19
Adler took in a friend, Betty Weiner, as a partner, and they ran Adler Weiner Research for decades. Adler retired when she was 89, but the firm is still run by Weiner’s family and now has offices in Chicago, Lincolnwood, Los Angeles and Orange County, Calif. After her husband died when she was in her early 80s, Adler remained active in her knitting group. She kept going to Vegas, where she liked to play the slots. She kept up her many close friendships and her bonds with relatives. And the years continued adding up. She has no idea how she has lived this long. “Don’t ask what her secret is,” implored S. Jay Olshansky, professor of public health at the University of Illinois at Chicago and an expert on longevity. Centenarians and supercentenarians have no secrets to reveal, he said. “They won the genetic lottery at birth,” Olshansky said. “We think people who live this long are
‘‘
We think people who live this long are aging more slowly. For them, 1 year of clock time is not matched by 1 year of biological time.
’’
Professor S. Jay Olshansky
aging more slowly,” he said. “For them, 1 year of clock time is not matched by 1 year biological time. One year from now, these centenarians may only be 9 months older biologically.” Supercentenarians are actually a fairly healthy demographic, said Dr. William Dale, chief of geriatrics and palliative medicine at University of Chicago Medicine, who a few years ago had a patient who died at 112. They didn’t suffer heart attacks, strokes or cancer. They didn’t get into deadly accidents or suffer life-threatening infections like pneumonia or influenza. “It’s avoiding everything else that hap-
pens to people as they get older that lets you get to 110,” Dale said. Being 110 might be healthy, but is it happy? Adler gives her own state mixed reviews. “It’s hard to evaluate,” she said. “You’re not your own person. You can’t do what you want to do.” And sometimes, Adler said, “I can’t make up my own mind.” She fixed me with a strong look. “Understand?” she said. “Am I making myself clear?” She was. But she was also enjoying the conversation, expressing her happiness at the friends and family members who keep visiting and looking forward to her upcoming party (which came off without a hitch). Weinberg, whose mother was a first cousin of Sidney Adler’s, was expecting more than 60 people at the open house. “My doctor and his wife are coming,” Adler said. She could ask him why he thinks she has lived to 110, but she might get the same answer she got once before. “He said, ‘I don’t think that the guy upstairs wants you,’” she said.
Care, Comfort, and Compassion When It Is Needed Most 1658 S. Illinois Route 2 • Oregon, IL 61061
For more information, please call
815-732-2499
Your Full Service Hospice Offering:
Visit our website:
www.serenityhospiceandhome.org Created by the Community, Supported by the Community, Serving the Community since 1984
Registered Nurses On Call 24/7/365 Home Health Aide/Homemaker visits Hospice Physician/Medical Director on Staff to visit patients in their residence Personal Physician Involvement Chaplain Visits/Spiritual Care Social Services and Bereavement Care Medical Equipment and Supplies Medications from Specialized Pharmacists General Inpatient, Respite, and Residential Care provided at Serenity Home Auxiliary Services and Trained Volunteers We are a community-based 501c3 Non-Profit
Kaleidoscope Spring 2015
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Does Social Security rise to the occasion? The cost-of-living increase: Every little bit helps, but how much it helps all depends on who you ask BY TIM GRANT Tribune News Service
PITTSBURGH – While this year’s 1.7 percent cost-of-living increase for Social Security recipients is one of the smallest in history, it still beats the 1.5 percent raise last year, and is a far cry better than 2010 and 2011, when there was no increase at all. “Any increase is manna from Heaven. But how dramatic it is in terms of helping one’s financial situation – it’s not a significant amount of money,” said Thomas J. Mackell Jr., former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond, Virginia, and author of “When the Good Pensions Go Away.” Robert Hapanowicz, president of Hapanowicz & Associates in Pittsburgh has his doubts as to whether the increase will do much for recipients. “The question is, ‘Is the Social Security increase keeping up?’” he asked. “Social Security was meant to supplement retirement income. Back when it was started, the average life expectancy was lower. People live longer today. “So, it’s likely those who rely on Social Security for a substantial part of their retirement income aren’t keeping pace with those who continue to work.” RAISES CONTINUED ON 23
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Kaleidoscope Spring 2015
23
Your check goes up, but so do your expenses RAISES
CONTINUED FROM 21
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits are adjusted annually by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to reflect the increase, if any, in the cost of living as measured by the Consumer Price Index. While the purpose of the cost-of-living adjustment is to prevent the purchasing power of the benefits from being eroded by inflation, how far recipients stretch those dollars largely depends on their local economy. For instance, in the Pittsburgh region where the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers rose 1.1 percent from the first half of 2013 to the first half of 2014, the increased spending power will go a little further than in San Diego, where prices picked up 1.4 percent during the same time frame. The pay raise for most of the nearly 64 million Americans who receive benefits will amount to less than $30 a month. “Depending on their tax situation, the increase could be minuscule. But every little bit helps,” Mackell said. That increase will be paid for by people
who are still working – especially those in the highest tax bracket. According to the Social Security Administration, of the estimated 168 million workers who will pay Social Security taxes in 2015, about 10 million will pay higher taxes. Wages subject to the Social Security tax rose from $117,000 in 2014 to $118,500 this year, adding another $1,500 that would be subject to taxation. Hapanowicz suspects more increases are in store for taxpayers as the system struggles to keep up with a growing number of people receiving benefits. “We are likely to see further increases in Social Security taxes and reduction in benefits via older retirement ages,” he said. Pamela Villarreal, a senior fellow at the National Center for Policy Analysis in Dallas, is surprised that insurance premiums for Part B Medicare will not be going up this year. That is usually what happens when Social Security recipients get a cost-of-living increase. She said the cost-of-living increase typically is just enough to cover an increase in medical premiums, so it usually has no impact on improving the standard of living. For most seniors, Medicare premiums will remain at $104.90 a month.
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“Even without the Medicare premium increase, the average Social Security recipient is receiving about $1,300 a month, which amounts to about a $22-a-month raise,” Villarreal said. “It won’t have a big impact on seniors. But it beats a sharp stick in the eye.” Hapanowicz said there are strategies that seniors can use to optimize Social Security benefits. Too many do not carefully consider when and how to take their benefits – and once they elect to receive their benefits, the decision is irrevocable. For example, one technique he discusses with married couples is to file and suspend. In that case, one of the wage earners applies for benefits, while the spouse applies for spousal benefits. Then, the original filer suspends benefits. Why? “Because delaying Social Security benefits results in an 8 percent year-over-year increase in the benefit amount,” he said. “So at full retirement age, the suspended benefits can be reinstated at a much higher level than the original amount, and you have just optimized your Social Security benefit.”
815-772-4031 403 Scenic Street, Morrison, IL WINDSOR MANOR Assisted Living & Memory Care Community
24
Kaleidoscope Spring 2015
Seniors can catch a break on April 15 There are tax savings out there, if you know where to look The Associated Press
WASHINGTON – You’ve downsized to an apartment, the kids are long gone, and you’re no longer eligible for some of the deductions and exemptions that had helped you lower your tax bill. But for those 65 years or older, there are other tax breaks that might benefit you come tax time. For one, not all your Social Security benefits are subject to federal taxes. How much depends on your other income and filing status. “No one pays federal income tax on more than 85 percent of his or her Social Security benefits based on Internal Revenue Service rules,” the Social Security Administration says on its website. To determine what percent of your benefits might be taxable, add half your benefits to your other income, including nontaxable interest. If your combined income is between $25,000 and $34,000 and your filing status is single, up to 50 percent of your benMetro Art Service efits might be taxable, according to the IRS. Grandma and Grandpa can get a break from another member of the family: TAXES CONTINUED ON 25 Uncle Sam, if they know where to look.
Kaleidoscope Spring 2015
25
Check state tax laws, too TAXES
CONTINUED FROM 24
For married couples filing jointly, the 50 percent taxable figure applies if your combined income is between $32,000 and $44,000. Combined income lower than the threshold? Social Security benefits aren’t taxable. If the combined income is above these income ranges, up to 85 percent is subject to income taxes. Be sure to check your state tax laws. In many states, you won’t have to pay state tax on all or some of your Social Security benefits. People 65 and over also should consider whether it’s more beneficial for them to claim the standard deduction or to itemize. The standard deduction is higher for seniors – $7,750 if your filing status is single, $14,800 if you’re married filing jointly and you and your spouse are both at least 65. That compares to $6,200 for single filers under 65 and $12,400 for married taxpayers under 65 who are filing jointly. “Seniors very often have already paid up their mortgage and they very often don’t itemize anymore,” said Jackie Perlman, principal tax research analyst at the Tax Institute at H&R Block. But it is important to do the math – or let your tax preparer or tax software do it for you – to see whether it still makes sense to itemize even with the higher standard deduction. TAXES CONTINUED ON 26
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Kaleidoscope Spring 2015
Tax breaks can help with seniors’ medical expenses TAXES
CONTINUED FROM 25
Even if you don’t have mortgage interest to deduct, you can still deduct any property taxes you paid. State income taxes also are deductible, or alternatively, you can choose to deduct state sales taxes, an attractive option if you live in a state that doesn’t have an income tax. For seniors, medical expenses have to exceed 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income to be deductible. That threshold applies even if only one spouse has reached 65 and you file jointly. For those under 65, medical expenses are deductible only if they exceed 10 percent of your adjusted gross income. And medical bills can be hefty for seniors. Covered medical expenses include the portion of doctor, dentist and hospital bills and the cost of prescription drugs not covered by insurance, as well as premiums for Medicare or other insurance coverage. Prescription eyeglasses are deductible, as are the cost of false teeth, hearing aids and wheelchairs. So is the cost of transportation to medical appointments.
Charitable donations also are deductible. However, seniors who are at least 70½ had another option for charitable donations. At that age, you’re required to take a minimum distribution for your individual retirement accounts. If you rolled that distribution over directly to a charity – instead of taking the money and then donating it – the distribution is not counted as income and therefore is not taxable. “The difference is you’re lowering not only your taxable income but also your adjusted gross income,” Perlman said. And that can affect such things as whether Social Security benefits are taxable and whether you can deduct your medical expenses. But there’s no double-dipping. If you itemize, you can’t also deduct a charitable donation that was made through a direct rollover from an IRA. There is also a small tax credit for low-income seniors, which Perlman says is not widely used. “It might be helpful for someone who neither contributed to the Social Security system nor ever married.” The IRS offers free tax help for people 60 and older, working through nonprofit groups like AARP Foundation.
Online
The IRS offers tips, answers to frequently asked questions and other information for seniors at: www.irs.gov/Individuals/Seniors-&-Retirees
Beware of scams
Tax time is also a time when scam artists ply their craft on unsuspecting victims, and seniors are a favorite target. Often the scams begin with a phone call from someone posing as an IRS employee demanding money for unpaid taxes. The IRS offers the following tips for taxpayers: The IRS will never ... • Call to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill. • Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe. • Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card. • Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone. • Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
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Please come visit us for a tour & welcome our new Executive Director and Director of Nursing
Please come visit us for a tour & welcome our new Executive Director
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