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FUNERAL PLAN It may be a gift to those you love

How to plan

It was Ben Franklin who said nothing is certain but death and taxes. This article does not deal with taxes, but rather the other certainty in life.

Everyone dies, so a discussion of funeral planning is never irrelevant. When someone we love dies, there are varying stages of anger, confusion and numbness. The funeral is one of the most significant means we have of dealing with grief. The funeral ritual helps us focus our emotions and brings a sense of meaning to death.

It confirms the reality of death and provides a catalyst for mourners to talk about the deceased. Experts tell us being able to talk about the life of a deceased loved one is one of the first steps toward accepting death.

A call to a funeral director or a pre-arrangement specialist probably would be a good beginning in making sure you have covered all your bases in your planning. He or she can lead you through a process to ensure you don’t forget vital information in your plan.

Some funeral directors and prearrangement specialists offer free booklets that provide a “punch list” of topics to think through and record your wishes.

Topics in these guides include funeral details ranging from visitation to the memorial service and alternatives from burial, cremation or entombment. These are obvious decisions, but other important topics include categories that will provide a helping hand to your family.

Additional topics include organizations to be notified with phone numbers, persons to be notified, medical history, estate information, banking information, real estate holdings and insurance policies. Many include obituary information outlines, personal property inventories and special instruction and information pages. There may also be information regarding the importance of your will and how to go about ensuring it is accurate and updated.

Prearranging your funeral Prearranging your funeral is not much different than any other planning you have carried out during your lifetime. You buy insurance in case of fire, flood, theft or death. These coverages are purchased as an act of love and responsibility for those you love in case an unfortunate incident occurs.

A pre-planned funeral accomplishes the same goals.

A preplanned funeral can prevent your family members from having to make a number of significant decisions at a time when they are confused and upset.

They will have enough on their minds dealing with grief without having to make several important decisions in a very short period of time. Experts tell us that there are an average of 50 decisions to be made when arranging a funeral.

Adding to the need for preplanning is the fact that our lifestyle is more complex in today’s world. Family members often live in different states, complicating rapid decision making. Further complications stem from frustrations that occur when dealing with government agencies in different states. A solid preplanning session can help prevent these complications which can loom very large during a time of pain and sorrow.

Prefunding your funeral Prefunding your funeral also is an important consideration. Your funeral director or pre-arrangement specialist can show you options which will waive your family from possible financial burden later. You may take out a life insurance policy which would cover funeral expenses, or invest in a funeral trust account or final expense insurance policy. In most cases, funds invested today would be enough to cover the total cost of the funeral since interest earned by the funds will offset the effect of inflation.

Government regulations safeguard your investment so funds will always be available for use. Another important part in your plan is to make sure your loved

ones know where your recorded wishes can be found.

Millions of dollars in government and insurance death benefits go unclaimed because family members do not know where to find information they need at the time of death. Some considerations that also need to remain in the forefront of the pre-planning agenda: • Social Security: When a loved one dies, dependents and survivors may be eligible for certain benefits such as death payments, survivor’s benefits and Medicare. Qualifications depend on several factors such as age, marital status, number of dependent and whether employment was under Social Security. Your Social Security account should be verified periodically to ensure contributions are posted. All benefits must be applied for since payments are not automatic.

• Veterans Benefits: Honorably discharged veterans are entitled to benefits that may affect decisions about funeral arrangements. For example, veterans may qualify for a cemetery plot and burial allowances, a headstone and burial flag, as well as pension for survivors.

• Medicaid: Having a properly structured prepaid funeral is a very important reason why preplanning a funeral is imperative. If an individual has placed their funds into a prepaid funeral plans, after they have itemized a funeral pre-arrangement, the money would most likely be protected 100% from paying for any nursing home costs. In most cases they can also pay for burial space items for their immediate family members. Each persons situations is unique and laws change, however, most funeral directors and pre-arrangement specialists work closely with Elder Law Attorneys who keep them updated on current Medical Assistance laws.

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RETIREMENT COMMUNITY Be informed about all aspects

Tour property, accommodations

Find out what retirement communities are located where you are or your relative(s) prefer to live. The weather is an important factor. The proximity to hospitals, doctors, pharmacies, retail malls/stores are also important.

It is a good idea to drive by the various retirement communities to get your first impression of the appearance, architecture and location. It is also good to check the web site of each area retirement community. The web site will provide key information about the services that are offered and the accommodations.

Other pertinent information may be obtained from the Department of Human Resources Licensing and Survey reports. The information may be obtained via the Internet, at the local Department of Human Resources or any retirement community that has a licensed nursing wing or assisted living unit. The Dunn and Bradstreet Financial Rating, the State Nursing Home Association, The Better Business Bureau and Longterm- Care Ombudsman are four additional agencies where retirement community stability and historical information may be obtained.

A tour of the retirement community is imperative to assess the types and sizes of cottages, apartments and rooms associated with each level of care. Safety features, emergency response equipment and handicap accessibility are important features of the tour.

The tour allows a potential resident to evaluate the size or space needed for their furnishings, the closets and storage space. The cleanliness and maintenance or upkeep of the property may also be assessed on the tour. Staff-resident interaction, social activities and residents’ appearance may also be observed.

Interview with key staff Call for an appointment and meet the staff; each retirement community is run by an executive director and department managers. Make an appointment with the director of marketing or the admissions coordinator. The marketing director will show you around the property and introduce you to the staff and management who will answer any questions you may have. It is important to assess the length of employment of the executive director and key managers, their educational credentials, experience and licenses.

Become informed about services During the initial and follow up interviews and tour, it is vital to be informed about the amenities, services and levels of care that are provided and included in the admission contract. It is imperative that a potential resident be advised about whether the retirement community is a buy-in or lease arrangement, the price, refund policy, pet policy, etc.

All amenities such as meals, housekeeping and laundry/linen service, telephone, cable television, transportation and social activities should be explained. A full service, multilevel continuum of care retirement community offers levels of care that range from independent living in villas and apartments, to assisted living or personal care to skilled nursing care.

The social or recreational activity program should be assessed when making the decision about your future lifestyle. An activities or social calendar should be available for you to study. A varied program of activities offering mental or sensory stimulating activities, physical activities and cultural entertainment should be included so that a resident has multiple daily options and may be as active as they choose to be. Examples of popular activities include bridge and other card games, movies, bingo, aerobic exercise

classes, exercise equipment for individual or group use, birthday parties, special theme parties and seasonal or holiday celebrations.

Also, outings with provided transportation that include tours of the area, lunches at local restaurants and trips to cultural events should be included in the social calendar. Arts and crafts classes should be available for those who enjoy creative pursuits. A transportation program should be provided to assure transportation to doctor’s appointments and other essential pickups, deliveries or personal transportation to shop, obtain medications and other essentials since many senior citizens choose to stop driving.

Visit the site and be sure the homesites match your lifestyle.

The top five things you should know 1. Find out what retirement communities are located in the area where you or your relative s) prefer to live.

2. Interview key staff, including marketing, dietary, housekeeping, security and transportation managers and directors, to name a few.

3. Tour the property to assess the living conditions, safety features and handicap accessibility.

4. Become informed about services, amenities and continuum of care.

5. Communicate with the residents, their families and friends. Plan an overnight stay at the facility.

Page 6 How To Guide • Thursday, February 27, 2014

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How To Guide • Thursday, February 27, 2014 Page 7

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How to choose an AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM Summer is right around the corner and with it comes the hot humid weather that makes you so uncomfortable. Your air conditioning system has the potential to affordably cool and dehumidify your home along with the potential to make you throw away your money on an air conditioning system that does not work properly.

Knowing the steps you need to take is part of the responsibility of being a homeowner. There are a few simple steps that every homeowner can take on their own while other steps require choosing a qualified professional. When the time comes to update your system choosing the right contractor is essential in installing a long lasting, reliable, and efficient system.

Air Conditioner Maintenance Heating and cooling your home is typically half of the utility cost in your home. When your air conditioning system is not maintained it is forced to work even harder to cool your home. This raises your utility costs while shortening the life of your equipment.

One very simple thing homeowners can do to help themselves is to keep their furnace filter clean. Some filters say that they need to be changed every 30 days, others are 30-90 days, and some are every 6-12 months. The important thing to do is check it once a month to make sure that it is still clean. If it is still clean simply put it back and enjoy another month. If it is dirty then it is time to replace it.

Another task that should be done annually is washing the outdoor condenser. The heat that is removed from your home is expelled to the outside at this point. Washing off the collected fibers from cottonwoods, spider webs, dirt, dust, and other collected debris helps the airflow across this unit and the exchange of heat from your home to the outdoors.

Keeping your system clean saves you money in operation costs today and money in replacement costs in the future.

Professional maintenance is recommended annually by all manufacturers of air conditioning equipment. Newer equipment has it written in the warranty paperwork that the system may require annual maintenance to maintain the warranty. What should be done during this maintenance is checking to make sure that everything has been properly cleaned and that the system is working at the proper level to

cool your home efficiently.

A proper air conditioning maintenance should be checking the motors of the system, the electrical components, and the refrigerant charge while the system is operating.

This maintenance should be done when it is warm enough to actually run your air conditioner. Many of the newer air conditioners want to have it be 65 degrees or warmer outside to have your air conditioner work hard enough to give accurate readings.

Life Expectancy Energy Star recommends that a homeowner consider changing their air conditioning system if it is more than 10 years old and their furnace or boiler if it is more than 15 years old (energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_checklist_consumers). The benefits of updating the efficiencies on equipment and warranty coverage at that time make sense economically. If you are having constant repair issues or a single expensive one it may also be time to upgrade to a better quality system. A low quality system may only last 7-10 years while a high quality one may last 15-20 on a similar maintenance schedule.

Choosing a Contractor There are several ways that you can choose a contractor. Google, Bing, your community newspaper, the Yellow Pages, and neighbor or family recommendations are all ways that you can find a contractor. What you should find out about a contractor is if they are licensed, bonded, and insured. This means that they will be taking out the proper permits and if there is anything that goes wrong their insurance is covering it instead of yours. You should find out what equipment they install and what their service hours are. Some equipment anyone can purchase, others require the contractor to go through training to become a dealer for.

What you are looking to do when you looking to purchase a new furnace and air conditioning system you are actually looking to form a long term relationship with a contractor that you trust to take care of your needs for years to come.

A licensed, bonded, and insured contractor will cost you more initially than “a guy” when installing your system.

They have more expenses such as that license, bond, and

insurance. They also have an office staff that they use to obtain the necessary permits required for your work. They deal with utility companies to process the paperwork for any rebates that you may be eligible for. They process the heat load calculations to make sure that the proper sized system is installed to make you both comfortable and to save you money in operation through energy efficiency.

They have technicians on call should there be any issues and have the office staff to process any warranties that you are eligible on those issues. A good contractor has also had training to properly install your system to minimize any issues you may have in the future.

A good contractor will ask if you have any other issues you would like to deal with such as indoor air quality or humidity problems either high or low. If you have a system that was not installed by a licensed professional may not have any warranty at all according to the documentation that comes with a new system. A good contractor should have a place of business that you can visit for whatever reason. A good contractor should be looking after your best interests both now and in the future.

The Bottom Line on What You Should Know Your heating and cooling system is like anything else in the world, the better you take care of it the better it will take care of you. There are some things that you can do for yourself and there are some things that you will need to hire a professional for. When you are looking for a professional you should find someone that you trust. They should have qualifications from sources that should include the city and the insurance company.

Some other qualifications that you may consider are the Better Business Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce, or the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). Google and Angie’s List can offer insights into how a company works as well with their review system. What you are looking to do when you are looking to purchase a new furnace and air conditioning system is to form a long term relationship with a contractor that you trust to take care of your needs for years to come.

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How To Guide • Thursday, February 27, 2014 Page 9

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PET BOARDING FACILITY When taking a trip away from home, leaving your pet behind can be stressful unless you have a trusted caretaker for Fido or Boots.

With so many people owning pets and so many reputable boarding facilities, how would you know where to go?

Friends and neighbors may not have the experience or time to properly look after your pet, particularly for longer trips. You will have peace of mind if you leave pet care to the professionals, such as a pet sitter or boarding facility.

A number of boarding facilities in the Twin Cities offer a variety of services that can reflect budget and luxury. It can be as simple as a pet staying in a caged area with breaks for food and walks. There is also overnight boarding and day care, plus grooming and training services available.

To find a boarding place for your pet ask a friend, neighbor, veterinarian, animal shelter or dog trainer for a recommendation.

Once you have names, it is important to do a little background check. Most importantly, make an appointment to take a complete tour of the facility.

Be wary if they are not willing to show you the entire facility. Make sure the kennel you are considering displays a license or certificate showing that the kennel meets mandated standards.

Check with your Better Business Bureau to see whether any complaints have been lodged against a kennel you are considering. The phone directory and internet provides lists of local boarding kennels, many including star ratings and reviews.

Some boarding places offer reward programs, giving discounts, incentives and coupons for usage. Some offer shuttle service and express check-in and out.

On your visit, ask to see all the places your pet may

be taken. Pay particular attention to the following: Does the facility look and smell clean? Is there sufficient ventilation and light? Is a comfortable temperature maintained? Does the staff seem knowledgeable and caring? Does the facility have an effective communication system in place, such as radio transmitters, to handle possible emergency situations.

Ask if pets are required to be current on their vaccinations. How often are pets fed? Can the owner bring a pet’s special food? What veterinary services are available? Are other services available such as grooming, training and bathing? How are rates calculated?

Inquire about the play areas. Are they indoor or outdoor and are they climate controlled? How much interaction would your pet have with other pets? Are they put in the company of other dogs with similar temperament for healthy socialization? Ask if your pet will have the opportunity to socialize and play with dogs of like temperament and size in the doggy daycare setting while they are being boarded for an extended stay.

Many boarding facilities offer private rooms, featuring air conditioning and TV. Some offer community living room style lodging where animals can feel at home.

Some animals may do better in this situation especially if they have never been boarded before, have not done well in a boarding situation, have separation anxiety or may be too energetic to be contained in a kennel.

Your pet’s activity level may help you determine which kennel you select. The standard kennel options include three or four outside exercise periods each day of the stay. Some premium services offer several hours of play with other dogs and kennel staff.

Grooming services can also include tooth brushing,

manicures, ear cleaning, fur cutting and styling, dematting, de-shedding treatment and scrubs in mineral mud, salt and sugar.

Boarding facilities have gone high tech with the use of a webcam so owners feel more connected when away.

It’s also a good idea to accustom your pet to longer kennel stays by first boarding her during a short trip, such as a weekend excursion. This allows you to work out any problems before boarding your pet for an extended period.

While individual amenities may vary for each pet, the right kennel is the one where you feel confident your pet is in good hands.

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How To Guide • Thursday, February 27, 2014 Page 11

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REMODELER For many families the purchase of a house is undertaken for the long haul. The size, the home’s amenities, and the home’s location are generally key factors in a family’s choice of a house. Still, as the years pass any number of situations can make what was once a dream home seems like a burden. But, if the kids

are grown and have left the nest or, if you’ve finally landed that raise and you’re looking for a solid investment of the extra income. Or, if you are just tired of looking at the same old paint scheme, you don’t have to sell and start all over again, consider remodeling what you already have.

“Remodeling is a great solution for many families,” according to Mike McCalvy, a past president of the Remodelers Council of the Twin Cities (RCTC).

“Besides getting the home that they want and need, in a neighborhood they love, remodeling can improve their home’s value, often well over the costs invested.”

Even the best remodeler can’t fix a problem if a homeowner hasn’t figured out what he or she want or needs first. The RCTC suggests examining your lifestyle – what fits how you live in your present home, and what doesn’t – then making a prioritized wish list of desired facelifts or prospective amenities.

Don’t forget such factors as lot size and neighborhood. Is there adequate room to expand? Will property values in your neighborhood support planned improvements? Build a scrapbook of the ideas and styles you like.

The final preliminary step is to establish a budget.

This will dictate types of products and define some of your options.

Then you need to try to find the right remodeling professional for your needs. The local Twin Cities builders association suggests prospective homeimprovers start by talking with fiends, neighbors or relatives who have completed remodeling projects on their homes. They also recommend checking the credentials of prospective remodeling firms. RCTC and BATC each maintain lists of local remodeling professionals who must meet stringent standards and codes

of ethics to become members of either organization.

Once the list of companies has been narrowed, the local Twin Cities builders association suggests interviewing the prospects. Seek out information on a prospect’s experience – are they licensed? Does the remodeler have examples of past work? Do they have a list of references? When checking with past clients, inquire about the prospect’s attention to time and budgetary issues. Even seemingly insignificant details, like how clean the work site was at the end of the day, can make the difference between a satisfactory and a troublesome home improvement experience.

It is also important that the prospects provide a good explanation of the costs of the project and the payment process, the construction schedule, and how project changes and unforeseen problems are addressed – a well-communicated plan is key to a satisfying relationship.

As you search for a remodeler, look for someone who pledges to keep good lines of communication going at all times. A remodeler that has a strong reputation in the industry is important.

It’s also important to look for a remodeler who has many design options and ideas to share. Will the remodeler develop a customized plan for you and then follow through with a plan that can be completed on time and on budget?

The bottom line is that the combination of a tight new housing market, favorable interest rates and increasing appraisal values of existing properties means there’s never been a better time to remodel.

Page 12 How To Guide â&#x20AC;˘ Thursday, February 27, 2014

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