Transitions in Aging 2017

Financial Planning

2017

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Medical Equipment

Medicare Aging in Place

Assisted Living

Home Care

Senior Living Medical Services

Hospice Bereavement

Nursing Home

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Your Local Guide to Aging Well

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Transitions in aging

3

Getting old isn’t for sissies, but it beats the alternative

By Kevin K. VanGundy

I’ve asked them to sign:

his month’s insert focuses on the continuum of care that you and I will go through as we age. You may be facing some major decisions, like planning your retirement and estates, modifying your home or searching for a new one, seeking the right in-home care professional or tracking down the perfect assisted living community.

While there are many resources to help with your transition from one phase of life to the next, they can be confusing and expensive. From signing up for Medicare to understanding hospice care, this special section features stories that will educate, inspire and guide you on your journey, supported by messages from local experts who can help along the way.

• A medical power of attorney • A will Their usual response is, “Oh honey, I’m not worried about. It’ll all work out.”

They may not be worried about it, but I’m the guy who will be left in charge if anything should happen to them. I’m worried. Shouldn’t I be?

T

Don’t wait to plan Neither my mother nor father has made any plans for their future. I have beseeched them to share with me: • What to do if they are declared brain dead and put on a respirator • What kind of funeral service they’d like to have • Who should I invite to attend said funeral

Aging isn’t fair Most people can guess a child’s age within a year or two, but it’s not so easy to tell with us seniors. I’ve met some that act 40, look 60 and are actually 70. I’ve met others who look 80 and are actually 60. (My wife says I act like a 16-year-old and I’m 55. That’s a good thing, right?)

The point is that aging is not always fair. Many of us should take advantage of every resource we can find to stay feeling our best and living life to the fullest. The BEACON is here to be your guide.

If you have questions, words of wisdom, topics you’d like us to address or a story you’d like to share with your fellow readers, drop us a line at Beacon@ PendantPublishing.com. ■

How are we doing?

Send us your questions and suggestions.

We want to hear from you!

BEACON Senior Newspaper P.O. Box 3895 Grand Junction, CO 81502 Beacon@PendantPublishing.com

Wheelchair-bound?

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We offer skilled rehabilitation with the latest cutting-edge equipment in a warm and caring environment. Our dedicated staff are here to ensure the highest level of support and encouragement to our guests.

The PARC Facility offers the use of the Alter-G Treadmill. Unlike any other piece of training equipment available, the AlterG AntiGravity Treadmill can take you further, faster than you ever thought possible after surgery, injury or other mobility impairment.

At Larchwood Inns you’ll notice the difference the moment you walk through our doors. Come take a tour today!

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Community Living Services Community Living Services Serving Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray, & San Miguel Counties

Services and support for AGING & DISABILITY RESOURCES FOR COLORADO (ADRC): a partnership of AGING & DISABILITY RESOURCES FOR COLORADO (ADRC):easy a partnership of over 40community area organizations designed to provide access to services and support. living over 40 area organizations designedtotoindividuals provide easy to services support.

Provides assistance andaccess caregivers.

ADRCand services include: Serving Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray, & San Miguel Counties

Provides assistance to individuals and caregivers.

ADRC services include: • Follow-Up • Information & Referrals • Options Counseling • Information & Referrals • Options Counseling • Follow-Up Aging • Planning Assistance • Application Assistance Disability Resources for Colorado • Planning Assistance •and Application Assistance Eligibility: ADRC services, provided have

by Regionpartnered 10 Community Living are to you Area organizations to Services, support Eligibility: ADRC available services, provided

by Region Community Living Services, to residents of Delta,10Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose,areOuray, and San Miguel available to residents of Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel and your loved ones.

Counties who are either 60+ years of age, or those who are 18+ years of age with a Counties who aredisability. either 60+ years age, or thoseofwho years of listed age with a please contact If you areofnot a resident oneare of 18+ the counties above, disability. If youInfo areand notand a resident onetoofathe listedinabove, please contact • Planning and •counties Benefits counseling us we willreferrals referofyou similar program your area. us and we will refer you to a similar program in your area.

• Long-term • Follow-up application assistance planning AREA AGENCY ON AGING: Region 10 Area Agency on care Aging is one of 16 Agencies AREA AGENCY on ONAging AGING: Region 10which Area administer Agency on programs Aging is one 16 Agencies in Colorado andofservices that help adults age on Aging in Colorado which programs andhealth, services help adults age 60 and olderadminister maintainRegion their dignity, andthat independence in their respective 10 Area on Aging 60 and older maintain their dignity, health, and on independence in funding their respective communities.

All Area Agencies Aging receive through the State Unit on Helping those age 60+ maintain their health and independence. communities. AllAging Area Agencies on Aging receiveAct funding through the State Unit onincluding: and the Older Americans’ to provide services to seniors, Aging and the Older Americans’ Act to provide services to seniors, including: • • • •

Our programs provide transportation assistance, caregiver support and more. Visit us online to see the full range of offerings.

• Transportation • Health Promotion • Material Aid Transportation • Nutrition • Health Promotion • Legal Services• Material Aid • Education Nutrition • Legal Services • Education • Homemaking • Dental, Vision, & Hearing • Volunteer Opportunities Homemaking • Caregiver Support • Dental, Vision, &• Hearing • Volunteer Opportunities Options Counseling Caregiver Support • Options Counseling Long-term Care Ombudsman

LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN: a trained advocate who protects and promotes LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN: whoreside protects and promotes Trained advocates who protect andin nursing promote the quality of life of the rights and qualityaoftrained life foradvocate people who homes, assisted living the rights and quality of lifeand for people who reside in nursing homes, assisted living work to resolve residences, similar licensed long-term care facilities.

Ombudsmen long-term care facility residents. residences, and similar licensed long-term care facilities.

Ombudsmen work to resolve individual resident issues and to bring about changes at the local, state, and national individual resident issues and to bring aboutcare. changes the local, state, and national level to improve long-term They at regularly visit long-term care facilities, monitor State Health Insurance Assistance Program level to improveconditions long-term care.

Theyand regularly long-term careunable facilities, monitor and care, providevisit a voice for those to speak for themselves. conditions and care, andis provide a voice for thoseWe unable to speakMedicare for themselves. counseling and fraud Insurance confusing. offer STATE HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STATE HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCEso PROGRAM assistance you can make informed choices.

• Medicare Counseling • Save Money • Know Your Rights • Medicare Counseling • Save Money • Make Informed • Know Your Rights • Understand Your Options Choices • Understand Your Options • Make Informed Choices

How can we serve you?

Call us today to see howserve we can serve you: Call us today to970-249-2436 see how we can you: • www.region10.net

(970)300 249-2436 • 1-855-500-6050 (970) 249-2436 1-855-500-6050 N. •Cascade Ave., Suite 1, Montrose 300 N. Cascade Ave., Ste. 1 • Montrose, CO 81401 300 N. Cascade Ave., Ste. 1 • Montrose, CO 81401 eveitch@region10.net • www.region10.net • Fax 970-249-2488 eveitch@region10.net • www.region10.net • Fax 970-249-2488

Call 24-hours a day: (970) 270-9092

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Transitions in aging

2017

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As you age your needs change.

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Our Housing Rehabilitation program provides low and moderate income homeowners the means to repair and upgrade their homes through a low to no-interest loan program. Housing Resources makes the loans, secured by a promissory note and deed of trust. Our specialists will: • Secure bids for your project.

• Help you choose a qualified contractor.

• Help with all inspections, and provide assistance with the paperwork.

Eligible home improvement activities include, but are not limited to: • Remove old shingles and install new roofing materials.

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Contact Housing Resources today to see how we can help you!

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FINANCIAL PLANNING

Medicare is not free

By Lew Barr, Grand Valley Senior Benefits

M

any people are surprised to learn that Medicare is not free.

Though many of us have paid into Medicare for 40 years or more, it’s not an entitlement program for seniors— we still pay for its benefits whether we use them or not.

When Medicare was made law on July 30, 1965, it originally contained only two parts: Part A, which covers hospital costs; and Part B, which covers doctors’ fees, lab tests, durable medical equipment and so forth. Part C Medicare Advantage plans and Part D Prescription Drug plans came later.

If you or your spouse has paid Medicare taxes for 10 years, you will not pay a Medicare Part A premium, but you will pay a premium for Medicare Part B. If you enroll in Part B in 2017, you will pay $134 per month. A person with an annual income of more than $85,000, or a couple with an annual income of more than $170,000, will pay more for their Part B benefits.

So far, this sounds like a good deal, right? You get Part A hospital care for free, and people who make less than $85,000 a year will only pay $1,608

annually for their Part B medical insurance. But wait, there’s more!

Medicare is different from the health plan you had through your employer. It requires that each person has his or her own plan. An eligible married couple will pay $3,216 annually for Part B medical insurance.

The Medicare Part A deductible for 2017 is $1,316 per 60-day period. You might think that $1,316 is not a bad deductible for hospital costs these days.

But Medicare Part A only covers semiprivate rooms, meals, general nursing and the drugs that are part of inpatient treatment during the first 60 days of a hospital stay. Doctors’ services, lab tests and so forth are paid under Medicare Part B. Medicare Part B has an annual deductible of $183, and an 80/20 split for services, with Medicare paying 80 percent and the beneficiary paying the remaining 20 percent.

As you see, under original Medicare, a hospital stay can become quite expensive. Many people choose to add a Medicare Supplement Plan to cover the deductibles, coinsurance and copays that it doesn’t cover. ■

Are you confused by your medicare options?

Medicare Planning · Medicare Plan Revisement Benefit Maximization

Lew Barr is a licensed insurance agent who represents all Medicare Supplement Plan types.

There is NEVER a fee. The premium remains the same whether you buy from Lew or Directly from the Insurance Company.

970-773-0220 www.hrwco.org

www.YourMedicareGuy.com

Lew Barr

info@yourmedicareguy.com

Call or email me today... to start plotting your course through the Medicare maze

2017

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

Cruising the Caribbean on a scooter

By Teresa Ambord

L

imited mobility is no reason to stay home!

A few months ago my boss, Barry, and his wife, Barbara, took our whole company on a glorious, seven-day Caribbean cruise. Barry requires the use of a mobility scooter, and I wondered how he would get along and if he’d be able to enjoy himself.

Well, if Barry was limited, there was no indication of it. I traveled with my sister, and neither of us have physical limitations. Wherever we went, we saw Barry and Barbara having the time of their lives. They enjoyed all the same things that we did—maybe more.

We had so much fun that I could hardly wait to recommend a cruise to my parents, but I needed some information first. I knew my dad would find the long passageways difficult to walk, and I wondered if a scooter was the answer. So I asked Barry and Barbara the following questions: Did you have a modified cabin? To my surprise, they had not requested a modified cabin, although according to the cruise line’s website, such cabins are available. They did ask for one special accommodation, which was a bathroom with a roll-in shower, no lip and equipped with safety bars.

What problems did you have moving around the ship? “None,” said Barbara. “Elevators are available all over the ship, and they are spacious and outfitted with controls that can be reached from a sitting position. The passageways are long but wide enough for easy maneuvering on a scooter.

Every lounge, restaurant, buffet and theater was accessible.”

What about leaving the ship at ports of call? If they had one problem, it was with the tenders (boats that

Transitions in aging

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provide ship-to-shore transportation when the ship must anchor away from the port). Our cruise included only one such port, and there, the tender operator was not equipped to allow the scooter aboard, but he offered the use of a wheelchair as an alternative What advice would you give to a would-be cruiser who relies on a scooter? Let your travel agent know ahead of time that you use a scooter, whether you need a modified cabin and if you will be able to debark at ports of call easily.

Also, because most people use larger scooters in their homes, Barbara recommended renting a smaller, leaner one for the trip. She simply asked her travel agent to make the arrangements.

A rental scooter was delivered right to their cabin, and was picked up for them at the end of the cruise.

I also asked my travel agent what advice she had for would-be cruisers with scooters or other physical limitations.

“It’s just a matter of picking the right cruise for your special needs,” she said.

“Vacationers who are on kidney dialysis can enjoy cruises through specific cruise lines, passengers with breathing equipment can be accommodated, mobility devices can be rented or brought onboard.”

She added one caveat: Travelers should get clearance from their physicians before setting sail.

Barbara said cruising affords Barry a lot of freedom because he can leave the cabin without her and enjoy the pool, a lounge…anything he wants, without needing help.

“It may vary by cruise line,” said Barbara, “but these ships were originally designed for people who are older and may have limited mobility.”

So what are you waiting for? Hop on your scooter and cruise! ■

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Transitions in aging

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Are you Ready

MEDICAL SERVICES

Exploring options for managing pain

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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Work with a registered, licensed occupational therapist • Help for those of all ages and driving abilities • Treatment plans and adaptive equipment tailored just for you • An emphasis on safety and independence •

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aybe your knees aren’t what they once were and a leisurely walk around the block has become a painful ordeal.

Perhaps too much time hunched in front of the computer has left your shoulders an aching mess.

Young or old, you’re in good company. More than 11 percent of Americans suffer from chronic pain, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and are looking for ways to rid themselves of those aches, even if just temporarily, so they can enjoy life without wincing and groaning.

“People can experience chronic pain for a number of reasons,” said Dr. Ronald Shapiro, medical director of Physicians Technology, LLC. “They may have had an injury. They may have arthritis.

Sometimes just sitting too long at the computer without a break can lead to shoulder problems.”

Although anyone can experience chronic pain, an (NIH) study showed that women, older people and non-Hispanics were more likely to report pain.

Asians were less likely.

Shapiro said there are a number of options patients can turn to for treating pain. Some of those include:

970.298.1782 MarillacHealth.org • Medical • Optical • Dental • Behavioral

2017

• Pain-relieving medication. Both over-the-counter and prescription medications are used by millions of Americans. Those medications do provide relief, although the Centers for Disease Control recently urged physicians to cut down on the amount of opioids they prescribe because of the risk that patients can become addicted to these narcotics, as well as the alarming increased incidence of fatal prescription-medication overdose.

• Physical therapy. A good physical therapist can do wonders for helping

alleviate a patient’s pain and assist them in achieving a more active lifestyle than they might have imagined. The downside is that the cost of those weekly visits can add up.

• Complementary health approaches. The NIH study says that many people turn to alternative approaches to pain relief, such as yoga, massage and meditation. The NIH says those may be able to help with managing pain and other symptoms that are not consistently addressed by prescription drugs and other conventional treatments.

• Technaceuticals. Technology is emerging as an alternative option for temporarily relieving pain, especially as a replacement for medication.

Shapiro has been involved in research in that area, and co-invented with David B. Sutton a device for home use called the Willow Curve, a lowlevel smart device that treats joint pain. Because it’s also a smart computer, the device assesses the condition of the joint and delivers a targeted digital treatment to temporarily relieve pain. A variety of ailments can be treated with such technaceuticals, including arthritis, general joint pain, knee pain, tennis elbow and rotator cuff injuries, among many others.

For more information on the Willow Curve, visit www.willowcurve.com.

“The opportunity is out there to improve the quality of life for anyone who suffers from chronic pain,” Shapiro said. “People shouldn’t feel that they just have to endure it. Whether it’s technology, physical therapy or something else, they have options that can make their day-to-day living a lot better.” ■

2017

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

HOME CARE

Do you employ an in-home worker?

Don’t run afoul of the law

By Teresa Ambord

I

f you employ a household worker— for example, a caregiver or a housekeeper in your home—do you know how to avoid tax trouble? The IRS and several states are turning up the heat to make sure that in-home workers are paid fairly, and that you as the employer are not failing to pay the necessary tax.

Paying “under the table” may sound like a good idea, but compared to the hot water you could get into if you are found out, compliance is a better idea.

What exactly is a household employer?

If you control the work done (when, where, how and by whom) by a caregiver or other worker in your home, you’re probably an employer.

You have tax obligations if you pay one individual $2,000 or more in one calendar year. If you pay one individual $1,000 in a quarter, you may need to pay federal unemployment tax, and possibly state unemployment. This does not apply to wages paid to your spouse, parent or your child who is under 21.

Payroll tax Payroll tax is equal to 15.3 percent of your employee’s gross pay. As the employer, you must pay half of that (7.65 percent), withhold a matching amount from your worker and send it to the IRS at specific times. What if you don’t withhold? Then you owe the entire amount.

In addition: • Your worker may want to you withhold federal and state income tax. He or she must fill out a Form W-4, which governs how much to withhold.

• You’ll need to file simple federal tax returns to pay over the tax you owe and tax withheld, using Form 1040ES/Schedule H process.

• In January, give your employee a Form W-2 for the previous year. Send a copy and a Form W-3 to the Social Security Administration.

• File Schedule H with your personal income tax return. If you don’t file income tax, you can file Schedule H on its own.

Most of these forms can be downloaded or ordered from the IRS for free.

Transitions in aging

don’t have to pay him or her around the clock, but must pay for every hour worked.

• If you employ the worker through an agency, you don’t have to pay for 24 hours a day but expect to pay overtime if he or she works more than 40 hours in a week.

• Some people opt to hold down costs by having a revolving door caregiver where more than one person comes to your home and nobody works more than 40 hours.

Workers’ compensation Workers’ compensation and disability laws vary, and it’s critical that you know and follow the requirements.

Twenty states do not require household

employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. However, if your household employee is injured on the job, you could be held liable for the costs involved.

Don’t rely on homeowner insurance to pay these costs unless you have it on good authority from your accountant that your state allows this.

If all of this seems daunting, a quick sit-down with your accountant should make you feel better. Complying with the law isn’t all that hard if you keep good records. Sure, paying under the table is easier and cheaper, but you don’t want to deal with getting yourself out of hot water. ■

Do you owe overtime?

Don’t assume you can put your caregiver on a fixed salary and work him or her as much as necessary. If you employ him or her through an agency, you will probably owe the worker overtime pay for any hours over 40 worked in a seven-day work week. Even if you employ the worker directly, you may owe overtime pay, depending on the type of work.

Here’s an exception: A person you employ directly to provide “companionship care” is not owed overtime. Companionship care is defined as providing fellowship and protection, and spending less than 20 percent of work time helping with such things as bathing, dressing, meal prep, cleaning, etc. Even if you are not required to pay overtime, it’s imperative that you pay your hourly worker for every hour worked.

There’s no statute of limitations on an overtime dispute. A disgruntled employee you had several years ago may file a costly lawsuit against you if you didn’t get the pay right. This can be very expensive for you. Judges almost always side with the worker, so avoid trouble by checking with your accountant.

Live-in help If you have a live-in domestic employee, does that mean you have to pay him or her 24 hours a day?

• If you employ the worker directly, you

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2017 RESOURCE FINANCIAL PLANNING When planning for the long term, you should start saving for retirement at birth. But who has that kind of foresight? Your projected retirement savings will have a great deal to do with your long-term care choices.

Now is a great time to sit down with a good attorney, a good financial planner and your insurance agent.

Grand Valley Senior Benefits................................................ 773-0220 Mystified by Medicare? Grand Valley Senior Benefits owner Lew Barr is an independent, licensed insurance agent serving the health insurance needs of seniors throughout the state.

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT As you age, you may need tools to help you walk, such as a cane, walker or a wheelchair. Modern technology has made great advancements in helping people hear and see more clearly.

AAA Hearing......................................................................... 243-6440 AAA Hearing is a locally owned company with friendly faces eager to help you hear your best. Using the latest advances and products, we provide comprehensive, compassionate and cost-effective hearing care.

AeroCare.................................................................................252-0212 Breathe a little easier. AeroCare’s team of health care professionals provides highquality service to patients who need respiratory products such as oxygen, CPAP/BiPAP machines/supplies and nebulizers.

MEDICAL SERVICES Some medical services will keep you mobile while other procedures can keep you looking younger. Whatever you need, we have local experts that can help.

Shift to Independence…........................................................201-2264 Are you safe behind the wheel? Jill Wohlgemuth, a registered, licensed occupational therapist, develops a treatment plan tailored for drivers of all ages and skill levels.

HOME CARE You should live long enough that someday your kids will say to you, “Ew! I’m not doing that.” When that happens or when you need assistance around the house, consider calling someone to help you out.

Home Helpers.........................................................................208-3115 This in-home care agency is your family when family can’t be there. Home Helpers customizes care for an affordable solution that keeps your loved ones where they’re happiest—home.

Visiting Angels...................................................................... 254-8888 Visiting Angels is a non-medical home care service that assists people by maintaining the independence of their daily routines and familiar surroundings. We help people age and stay at home.

RETIREMENT LIVING You’re ready to move, but not into assisted living. Would you like to live in a place where other people your age live? A senior living community might be just the ticket. Is it time to downsize? These experts can help.

Bob McHugh, Coldwell Banker.............................................683-9540 Bob McHugh is a real estate agent at Coldwell Baker, focusing on helping people downsize—converting equity of larger properties into simple, convenient, low-maintenance homes that enable active living.

Carol Gerber, Bray & Co. Real Estate....................................234-2037 Seniors have special needs in downsizing and relocating. Carol Gerber, a Senior Real Estate Specialist, has the expertise to help you through the process and take care of the details ethically and honestly.

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Transitions in aging

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NURSING HOME When you need more assistance and some medical care.

Val Begalle, Cherry Creek Mortgage….................................210-5610 Reverse mortgage facts: Retain full ownership and title to your property. Secured solely on the property, you cannot leave yourself or family in debt.

Eagle Ridge of Grand Valley..................................................243-3381 Whether you need short-term, rehabilitative care or will stay long term, Eagle Ridge of Grand Valley is dedicated to enhancing residents’ lives through quality care and exceptional service.

Family Health West, Courtyard Care Center....................... 858-3900 See “Assisted Living.”

TRANSITION SERVICES

LaVilla Grande Care Center................................................... 245-1211 Caring Transitions..................................................................822-7087 Moving is physically and emotionally draining. Caring Transitions’ comprehensive services—including move management, downsizing, decluttering, estate sales and more—save you time and energy.

This warm and welcoming senior living community offers an award-winning program for people with Alzheimer’s or related dementias, skilled nursing care, rehabilitation services and respite stays—all in one beautiful location.

Mantey Heights Rehabilitation & Care Centre.....................242-7356 At Mantey Heights, our highest priority is our family of residents. We strive to provide each resident with individualized skilled care and rehabilitation while incorporating meaningful daily activities to enhance their quality of life.

ASSISTED LIVING

Palisades Living Center........................................................ 464-7500 When you need a little assistance.

Crossroads Senior Living....................................................... 874-1421 Crossroads’ continuum of care campus creates a residential home-like environment, providing first-class assistance with daily activities. Crossroads is a premiere choice in senior living.

Family Health West............................................................... 858-3900 The Oaks Assisted Living & The Willows Secured Assisted Living

At Palisades Living Center, we work hard to care for our residents the way we would want our family members cared for. We believe quality treatment requires a combination of “caring and curing.”

HOSPICE

Family Health West offers several options when it comes to elder care, including a nursing home, assisted living center and a secured assisted living center, all located in Fruita.

When medicine can no longer offer you a cure, hospice care can provide you comfort and support when you’re terminally ill. Hospice also offers that support to your family and friends as well.

Spring Creek Chalet.............................................................. 249-2438

HopeWest............................................................................... 241-2212

You’ll feel at home the minute you walk through the door. Committed to excellent care, this community is dedicated to residents and to Montrose, making it many families’ preferred facility.

ielding assets and are ncome, a charitable gift able remainder trust ploring.

OTHER RESOURCES Contact the St. Mary’s Foundation to learn more about making a gift today!

rent income tax deduction

portion of capital gains sets

Area Agency on Aging/Region 10....................................... 249-2436 The Region 10 Area on Aging is dedicated to helping those age 60 and over maintain their health and independence. Programs provide transportation assistance, caregiver support and more.

our charitable gift of cash or ties, you reap multiple benefits:

me income

HopeWest is dedicated to profoundly changing the way our community experiences aging, serious illness and grief—one family at a time. Serving Delta, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray and Rio Blanco counties.

Millenium Services................................................................ 270-9092 Every dollar of your contribution stays right here at St. Mary’s Medical Center 2635 N. 7th St . Entrance #6 Grand Junction CO 81501 (970) 298-7569

Wheelchair-bound? Millenium Services will get you to and from your appointments.

Their friendly staff is ready to reach out to community members in need.

St. Mary’s Foundation...........................................................298-7569 If you own low-yielding assets and are seeking higher income, a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust may be worth exploring. Call for more information.

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2017

RETIREMENT LIVING

New spaces for the next phase of life

By Sue Ronnenkamp

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lthough I read and hear about the value of “aging in place,” I just don’t buy it. We change throughout our lives, and our lifestyle and housing needs change, too.

Think about the house you grew up in, your first apartment and your first home with children. Just as those living situations fit your lifestyle in the past, your current housing situation should be a good fit for where you are now.

Moving forward for this phase of your life should take you to a setting that’s smaller and more manageable, with less responsibility for maintenance and upkeep. Seek out housing options that offer support and assistance if necessary, along with opportunities for engagement and interaction with others.

By making the right choice about your next home, you free up time and energy to devote to your favorite people and activities so you can make the most of the coming years.

A

DROP THE ROCK! Letting go of a familiar home can be difficult and stressful, but hanging on can lead to loneliness and isolation which are detrimental to your health and successful aging.

Here’s a story I often use to illustrate the danger of hanging on when it’s time to let go: A woman was swimming across a lake with a rock in her hand. As she neared the center of the lake, she started to sink from the weight of the stone.

“Drop the rock!” shouted people watching from the shore.

But the woman kept swimming, slowly disappearing underwater. As she reached the middle of the lake and disappeared from sight for the last time, the people on shore heard her say, “I can’t. It’s mine.”

Housing that no longer fits a stockpile of belongings and outdated roles and responsibilities will start bringing us down if we don’t release them. Is it time to drop the rocks in your life?

CHANGE YOUR MINDSET Why do so many people cling to their houses when they would be better served by moving forward? One key reason is that a house is often closely associated with independence. As a society, we tend to overvalue independence. As a result, too many seniors spend way too much time, energy and money trying to age in place and hang on to a false sense of self-reliance.

It’s time to shift our mindset to one that embraces interdependence. We’re always better and stronger when we connect with others than when we try to go it alone. There are so many benefits to being part of a connected community and having readily available companionship and support.

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS GIVING Choosing to let go and move forward can be a wonderful gift to your family.

When my parents decided to rightsize, they gave me a tremendous gift by thinking through how they wanted to live out their later years and relieving me of the burden of making tough decisions for them.

I’ve helped with a number of moves, and people always look more energized once the weight of the decision and the responsibilities that come with a large house have been removed from their shoulders. They thrive in their new environments because they are spending their new free time on enjoyable activities and new experiences and engaging in life more fully. ■

2017

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Transitions in aging

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The Great Eeny-Meeny-Miney Event: How to divvy up the stuff without suffering

By Karen Telleen-Lawton

M

any of us baby boomers are at the point where our parents have decided to move into retirement homes. That’s great for them, but it can lead to a difficult situation for us— our parents can’t bring 50 years of stuff they’ve accumulated to their new digs.

It’s likely that they’ve kept everything from your third-grade pottery to more valuable items. In fact, the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College reports baby boomers will eventually inherit $8 trillion in cash, real estate and a whole lot of curios. If you and your siblings are facing a mountain of stuff after your parents decide to move, you’re not alone.

HOW TO TACKLE THE SITUATION It’s likely that your older loved ones already have wills and perhaps a trust.

These should be consulted for any special instructions as to the division of assets. But aside from specific wishes by your parents, the actual choosing of household items presents challenges best solved on the ground.

This situation presents as many opportunities as challenges. If your parents are willing, you might want to spend some time asking them about the provenance of various objects.

They will likely appreciate your caring about family heirlooms, keepsakes and mementos. On the same occasion or a subsequent one, assemble an inventory list including this special information.

You can find some ballpark values of items on eBay, if you choose to include that in the list. Then it’s time to hold the Great Eeny Meeny Miney event.

On divvying day, remember—and keep remembering—that your relationships with your siblings are more important than stuff. Agree to try to be your best selves, and forgive each other for inevitable moments when old hurts get in the way.

• Local siblings can put together the inventory list, perhaps including photographs. It may not be comprehensive, but it can help form a common base of knowledge, especially for faraway sibs. The closest siblings can also arrange for appraisals of any particularly valuable items. Each sibling should familiarize him/herself with the inventory list.

• Ask your folks to give you a general idea of items they plan to take with them. These items can still be available for picking, but the picker would understand that they might not take possession for a long while.

• As much as possible, each sibling should attend the Great Eeny Meeny Miney event in person. Faraway siblings may send an adult child as emissary, or can attend by phone or video call. It will likely run more smoothly if you do not open the event to spouses or children.

• Participants can draw straws for order of pick, then proceed in order, rearranging it to keep it fair. For example, 1,2,3; 3,2,1; 2,1,3 and so forth.

• Document the choices with a sticker on the item and a note on the inventory list.

• Cover one category at a time: paintings, rugs/fabrics, furniture, knickknacks, lamps, silver/crystal/china, kitchen, etc.

• When you reach the point in each category where no one wants to take possession, the rest of those items can go to charity or a rummage sale. Each sibling receives an equal portion of the cash or charitable donation receipt.

• For items that are much more valuable, there are options. One sibling can buy the others out; siblings can co-own and pass the item around every few years, or they can sell the item and split the proceeds.

• Items that each sibling gifted to your parents over the years are returned

trauma, but I think in the end we all received items we cared about. No one felt cheated. I’m convinced the planning helped keep the “Miney” at bay. ■

apart from the pick.

• If appropriate, compensate the siblings who did all the work and/ or paid event expenses. This may be with cash or extra picks.

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Copyright© 2016 Cherry Creek Mortgage Co., Inc., NMLS #3001. This material is not from HUD or FHA and the document is not approved by the Department of HUD or any Government Agency. HUD does not approve the material presented. Cherry Creek Mortgage Company, is not endorsed by nor acting on behalf of or at the direction of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Housing Administration, the US Department of Agriculture or the Federal Government. To check the license status of your mortgage broker, visit www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org.

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Transitions in aging

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com management, good nutrition, opportunities for mental and physical activity and a chance to make friends and socialize, they truly thrive.

ASSISTED LIVING

3 myths of senior living communities

By Dwayne J. Clark

I

t’s difficult to overcome stereotypes of senior living communities. Despite the fact that the level of care and amenities have evolved significantly over the past decade, people still tend to think of senior housing as the “old folks’ homes” of the past: antiseptic, white-walled, linoleum-lined institutions with cold nurses, hot temperatures and nasty food. It’s no wonder then that people continue to buy into three myths about senior living institutions that are wrong.

Myth #1: All senior housing options are the same.

The reality is that today’s senior living industry is similar to the hotel industry, with a range of choices for every

lifestyle, need and budget. You can find low-end chains that offer only the very basics, similar to a Motel 6. There are family -run operations set up in residential homes like bed and breakfasts, and then there are high-end luxury options comparable to the Four Seasons.

Myth #2: Entering a senior living community hastens “the end.”

Many seniors who could benefit from just a little added care are often found living alone, away from family, isolated and devoid of much human interaction. These seniors are perfect candidates for an assisted living community because once they are living in a place where they have access to medical care, personal assistance, medication

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Myth #3: Only the very wealthy and the very poor can afford to live in a senior living community.

The fact is that most retirement and assisted living communities are created to be affordable. The cost of assisted living needs to be carefully compared with the total ongoing costs of living at home. Additionally, as a parent or sibling ages, there are likely to be new costs, including outside help with laundry, housekeeping, home upkeep and meal preparation; medical equipment; home health care; and transportation for medical appointments and other necessities. These expenses, when taken in their entirety, are likely to be almost as much as or equal to the flatfee monthly cost of an assisted living community. Most people are surprised when they realize that not only can their parents afford to live at one of

2017 these communities, but they actually have funds left over.

Some seniors, of course, won’t have quite enough monthly income to pay the total or to pay for incidentals and will have to make use of their long-term care insurance or begin to tap their financial assets. In other cases, children or siblings help pay for the difference.

What most aging seniors need is some oversight by professionals who understand their unique needs. They need to be treated with kindness and dignity. Seniors will find all of that in abundance at today’s assisted living communities and nursing homes. For new residents, living away from the life they’ve always known is an adjustment, but more often than not, they quickly realize that it’s a change for the better.

They soon realize that the three myths about senior living communities are just that. ■

2017

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Questions to ask before choosing an assisted living community

S

eventy percent of people age 65 and older will need long-term care at some point in their lives, according to a 2014 study by CareScout, a division of Genworth Financial Services.

“But that doesn’t mean they have to sacrifice their quality of life,” said Peder Johnsen, CEO of Concordis Senior Living, which owns, operates and develops senior housing communities. “In fact, people who need some assistance with day-to-day living will often find they are much happier in a good assisted living community with an atmosphere that reminds them of their former home.”

And it doesn’t have to be outrageously priced, noted Johnsen, a third-generation assisted living facility operator whose family pioneered the contemporary congregate community model.

The median price for a private, one-bed home in an assisted living community is $42,000, he said, citing

the CareScout report. By contrast, a semi-private nursing home bed costs a median $77,000 a year.

But it’s up to prospective residents and their families to ascertain the quality of the community and whether it’s a good match for the person who will be living there.

“Assisted living facilities are not federally regulated and states vary widely on the breadth of oversight they provide, so you can’t necessarily rely on the law,” Johnsen said. “And don’t rely on salespeople either—that’s the biggest mistake people make.”

There are, however, a number of easy ways to see if a home has a truly caring atmosphere and well-trained staff.

Ask to see the home’s state licensing survey Every state has an assisted living facility licensing agency, and all have some form of survey system for ensuring that

Transitions in aging

certain standards of quality are met, according to the Assisted Living Federation of America.

“Requirements vary from state to state about how often the surveys are conducted and how the public can access the reports, but no matter what state you live in, you should be able to ask the facility for its most recent report, or obtain it from the licensing agency,” Johnsen said.

The surveys will tell you if problems were found—or not—and what the facility did to address them.

Visit during non-business hours Go before breakfast or after dinner— times when the administrators aren’t around. What’s the atmosphere like?

How do employees behave and interact with the residents?

“That’s a good time to talk to residents, too,” Johnsen said.

Be a “mystery shopper,” he suggested. Pretend you’re just visiting the community, not scouting it out as a

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prospective customer.

Ascertain how truly “homelike” the community is In your own home, if you don’t feel like eating breakfast at 7:30 a.m., you don’t have to. You can have breakfast at 10 a.m. You can get snacks when you want them.

“Depending on what’s important to your loved one, there are potentially many rules that can affect how ‘at home’ a person feels,” Johnsen said.

“Some communities allow residents to have pets, others don’t. Some provide lots of activities. At some, residents can quickly and easily arrange for transportation or a service like hair styling.”

Not every community can offer everything. That’s why it’s important to look for those features that are especially important to your loved one.

For inspection reports and occurrence findings on Colorado assisted living residences, visit www.colorado.gov/pa cific/cdphe/assisted-living-residences ■

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Transitions in aging

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NURSING HOME

Strategies for paying for long-term care

P

eople pondering their retirement years often conjure images of spending more time on a favorite pastime or traveling around the country or the world.

Health concerns can intrude on those idyllic scenes, though, not only affecting enjoyment of life but also punching a heavy dent in retirement savings.

“As we age, usually our medical or long-term care expenses increase, sometimes depleting our assets to a level of crisis,” Financial Advisor Jake Lowrey said.

“It’s important for retirees, and anyone planning for retirement, to become

focus on people

our residents

their lives

their families

educated about what the pitfalls are and what they need to do to avoid losing their life savings.”

Long-term care can especially burn a hole in savings accounts. In 2012, for example, nursing home care averaged $74,800 a year, according to a report by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.

Meanwhile, assisted living facilities averaged $39,500 per year, and home health services averaged $21 per hour.

More than 10 million Americans need some sort of long-term care, the Kaiser report said. That number covers all ages, even children, but about half are people

65 and older.

“Those older Americans had looked forward to enjoying their golden years,” Lowrey said. “They should be able to have actual golden years instead of what can end up being scary years, both personally and financially.”

Certainly, being able to maintain good health is a key factor in protecting savings and making retirement enjoyable and satisfying, he said.

But life doesn’t always work out that way. Fortunately, there are strategies seniors can use to lessen the impact of expenses brought on by long-term care needs. According to Lowrey, some of those include: • VA benefits. Military veterans may be able to offset nursing home or assisted living expenses through benefits provided by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

A veteran’s eligibility for long-term care services would be determined based on his or her need for ongoing treatment, personal care and assistance, as well as the availability of the service in the area where the person lives, according to the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Other factors, such as financial eligibility, a service-connected disability, insurance coverage, and/or ability to pay may also come into play.

• Medicaid-compliant SPIAs. A singlepremium immediate annuity is a contract with an insurance company where you pay the company a sum of money up

2017 front (the premium), and the company promises to pay you a certain amount of money periodically for the rest of your life.

A Medicaid-compliant SPIA is a specially designed annuity that pays out over the person’s “life expectancy” and has other specific characteristics. A couple who put money in a Medicaid annuity are able to avoid having the income from that annuity count against the financial assistance a spouse receives for nursing home care.

• Setting up a trust. Trusts can help shelter wealth from the look-back periods in Medicaid requirements and assist in qualifying for VA programs, among other advantages. ■

THE COSTS OF LONG-TERM CARE Genworth Financial regularly surveys the average costs of various services around the country. These were the average costs for care in the Grand Junction area in 2016: Homemaker Services....$125 per day Home Health-Aide........$125 per day Adult Day Health Care...$62 per day Assisted Living Facility ..................... ............................$3,795 per month Nursing Home semi-private room.........$220 per day private room.................$282 per day

2017 Council AgingLeadership Leadership Round Round Up 2017 Council ononAging Up

August Workforce Center, August25, 25,2017 2017--Mesa Mesa County County Workforce Center, 512512 29½29½ Rd.,Rd. GJ. AGENDA: AGENDA: Do youhave have questions? questions? We You 8:30-9:00am Registration have answers on livable 8:30-9:00am Registration We have answers on 9:00-9:lSam Opening remarks and introductions communities, health care 9:00-9:15am Opening remarks and introductions livable communities, 9:15-10:00am AARP Livable Communities Project impacts and more health care impacts 9:15-10:00am AARP Livable Project 10:00-11:00am CMU HealthCommunities Care Panel Discussion andmore 10:00-11:00am Health CareCare Panel Discussion ll:OO-ll:45amCMU CLUB 20 Health Overview The event is open to the The event open to the public.

11:00-11:45am 20 Health 12:00-l:30pmCLUB Luncheon BuffetCare Overview public.isRegistration is Registration is required. l:30pm-2:30pm Area onBuffet Aging Regional Updates required. Dial 2-1-1 or 12:00-1:30pm Luncheon (970) 244-8400 for (970)or244-8400 for Regions 9, 10, 11 and 12 Dial 2-1-1 1:30pm-2:30pm Area on Aging Regional Updates information and to register. information and to register.

2:30pm-3:30pm Legislative Discussion Regions 9, 10, 11 and 12 2:30pm-3:30pm Legislative Discussion • Senior issues from 2017 Legislative Session • Senior issues from 2017 Legislative Session • Emerging issues for the 2018 Legislative Session • Emerging issues for the 2018 Legislative Session • Open Discussion • Open Discussion d N0IDIWEST C0I.OIADO

Area AgencymAging

2017

Ombudsmen lend a helping hand for those with long-term care needs

By Teresa Ambord

N

eed help finding a long-term care facility for yourself or someone else? Or perhaps you are in a dispute with a facility that you can’t resolve on your own. That’s the job of your local ombudsman.

It’s a funny name, but the job of the ombudsman is to stand between the long-term care providers and the residents who rely on them.

Every state has an ombudsman program, which is run through the state office of Administration on Aging. Many ombudsmen are volunteers, trained to provide the help you need or point you in the right direction.

People who live in adult care facilities need someone to speak for them and advocate for better conditions and for fairness if there is a problem. An ombudsman works to solve the problems individual residents and their families

Transitions in aging

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encounter with long-term care. They also work to bring needed changes to the long-term care industry.

This is not to say that there are not excellent homes serving the elderly.

Most residents receive outstanding care. But every group has its bad apples, especially when money is involved.

In poorly run facilities, there may be abuse that is financial, physical, emotional or mental. The ombudsman’s job is to visit a nursing home to look for signs of abuse.

AN OMBUDSMAN: • can help you find a facility where you can obtain quality care • is trained to resolve problems • can assist you in getting help with complaints • is certified to perform an investigation to resolve the issue and must investigate complaints

• has the responsibility to represent the resident’s interest before the interests of government agencies • must provide residents with information about long-term care and inform consumers about the issues and laws relating to long-term care • must educate consumers and longterm care providers about the rights of residents and about good care practices

NURSING HOME RESIDENTS’ RIGHTS: • To be treated with dignity and respect • To refuse physical or chemical restraints • To voice concerns without fear of retaliation • To control own finances • To communicate privately with anyone they choose • To have personal records kept confidential • To send and receive mail • To be informed of rights before admission

• To apply for assistance without discrimination • To be notified of discharge or transfer

DO YOU SUSPECT ABUSE? Elder abuse is growing more common, especially as economic tensions mount, and as multiple generations of families are forced to live together. If there is immediate danger, call 911. If the danger is not immediate, it’s still critical that you tell someone. Tell a doctor, friend, pastor or some other person you trust, or contact Adult Protective Services (APS) in the state where the elder lives.

To contact the ombudsman for Mesa, Delta and Montrose counties, call 243-7940. To find the APS office in Mesa County, call 248-2888 or 211.

For Montrose County, call 252-5000.

For Delta County, call 874-2030.

It’s important to remember that APS provides service only if the senior agrees or has been declared incapacitated by the court and a guardian has been appointed. The APS agency only takes such action as a last resort. ■

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Transitions in aging

HOSPICE

Dedicated to profoundly changing the way our community experiences aging, serious illness and grief one family at a time.

Hospice care: the last responder

By Ellen Jane Windham

W

hen a doctor says there is nothing more to be done for a patient, it’s time to call hospice.

Hospice is a type of program that provides care and support for a terminally ill patient and their family at home. Two physicians must certify that, in their opinion, the patient has an illness that will result in death in six months or less if the disease takes its normal course. Since Medicare mandates hospice care, the government decides the rules for payment.

There are more than 5,500 different hospices in the U.S. Some are small, with a few nurses and a small patient census. Others are national companies with offices serving people in every state.

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HOSPICE CARE PROVIDES: • Physicians on call 24/7 and a case manager, usually a registered nurse, who will visit one to three times a week.

• A home health aide who assists with care, including bathing and linen changes.

• A team of continuous care nurses who will work at the bedside in cases where extreme symptom management is required. They usually work in 24-hour increments, and the patient is reevaluated every 24 hours until the symptoms are under control. This is never a permanent situation.

• A chaplain assigned to each patient.

He or she does not take the place of your personal spiritual adviser.

• A social worker to assist with advanced directives and any needs of the patient or family.

• Volunteers to visit with the patient to talk, listen or read.

• Bereavement services for the family for 12-13 months after the death of their loved one.

WHO WILL PAY? Hospice cares for all people diagnosed with a terminal illness regardless of diagnosis, race, nationality, sex, religious affiliation, availability of a caregiver, monetary worth or ability to pay.

No one who fits the criteria of a terminal illness and less than six months to live is ever turned away. All hospices are required to accept non-funded patients.

The majority of hospice services are paid for at 100 percent by the patient and family through Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance. Be sure to confirm that your hospice choice is Medicare certified if that’s how you’ll be covering care.

All medication relating to the terminal diagnosis is paid for under the hospice benefit, as is necessary medical equipment and supplies.

QUESTIONS TO ASK When the time comes for a patient to enter hospice, the doctor or hospital will recommend a company. Before choosing one, interview two or three.

Have as many family members as possible present to ask questions.

Here are some important questions: • How long have you been in business?

• Are you Medicare certified?

• What is your nurse-to-patient ratio?

• How many patients do you have on your service?

• Will I be able to get someone to answer my call 24 hours a day?

• Do you have access to staff if we need continuous care nurses?

Every person grieves differently. There is no right or wrong way—some will go through the stages many times and some will go through them in differing times and ways.

It is a good idea to remember when you have hospice care for yourself or a loved one, you are never alone. You have a team of caregivers, who are usually the most compassionate and caring listeners you will ever meet. ■