50+ Club 09.08.2023

50Club

Your Guide to Living Well

Brentwood teacher extols yoga’s healing power

Maintaining an active lifestyle becomes more difficult – but no less important – as we age. One East County resident turned to yoga to regain her health after a series of heart attacks, and says she has never felt better.

Lori Lopez, 65, took up yoga on her

doctor’s recommendation and loved the practice enough to become an instructor. Now, with seven years of experience, Lopez is helping others find healing through their yoga practice at YogaSix, a yoga studio in Brentwood.

“It’s hard being human, and yoga helps everything we have to heal,” Lopez said. “It’s a tool that’s been around for thousands and thousands of years … I’d say eight out of 10 of my students have some type of disability happening within their body, and that’s why we do yoga.”

Lopez already worked as a hairdresser when she decided to add yoga instruction to her skills. She also studied anatomy for

four years, and said that knowledge has only supported her ability to teach her students the importance of yoga positions and how each can help different parts of the body.

“I like that she explains everything we are doing, and then she will help us get into the poses correctly,” said Charlotte Kent, 65, one of Lopez’s regular students at YogaSix. “She shows us what we are doing, talks about why we are doing it and how it will help us, and then she shares her experience with yoga. It’s all very helpful.”

For Lopez, sharing her knowledge of yoga is an integral part of teaching classes. In addition to heart attacks, Lopez has lost 150 lbs, had a knee replacement and lives with osteoporosis and arthritis. She said practicing yoga and inspiring her students keeps her body healthy and her mind inspired.

“I do yoga and I teach yoga because it makes me feel good,” she said. “It’s made me into a better person. Yoga taught me to have confidence in myself, and with that, I can help

others so when they look in the mirror, they say to themselves, ‘you’re beautiful, smart and happy,’ instead of all the negative things we like to say.”

Lopez said both the physical and mental benefits of yoga are especially helpful to adults over the age of 50. The movements and poses of yoga help maintain a strong body while helping to heal aches and pains.

“At this age, we start wondering how long we will live, and if we are going to have a bad back forever,” Lopez said. “I started my journey when I had my heart attack. My doctor said I needed to do yoga because it calms the heart and nervous system, and clears the mind and brings focus.”

Lopez noted neither age nor ability should act as hurdles to taking up yoga. She said everyone starts where they are and should take their journey without comparing themselves to others. She offers a beginner’s workshop where she covers the basics of yoga, from how to start with simple poses to what equipment to purchase and why.

“I hear people say they can’t do yoga because they aren’t flexible, or have a bad lower back,” she said. “We will teach you how to take care of your body and your mind, and clear your soul of any old stories.”

Lopez teaches at YogaSix East Contra Costa at 5471 Lone Tree Way, Suite 110, in Brentwood. For more information or a schedule of classes, call 925-262-9521 or visit www. yogasix.com/location/east-contra-costa

DAWNMARIE FEHR

LOPEZ

Great gifts for retirees who can’t wait to travel

Retirement provides a chance for adults who have worked throughout their lives to take a step back, relax and enjoy the fruits of their labors. Though the most indelible image associated with retirement might once have been a rocking chair, modern retirees like to get up and go, and holiday shoppers can take that joie de vivre into consideration as they look for the perfect gift for retirees who can’t wait to fly the friendly skies or hit the open road.

♦ Maps: It might seem simple, but roadmaps can be an ideal gift for retirees. A recent poll from RBC Wealth Management found that 63 percent of Americans age 50 and older say travel is an important retirement goal. Roadmaps of their own country or a foreign country can help seniors plan their dream vacations. Seniors can study maps and create their own routes as they visit popular tourist attractions and find lesser known locales along the way.

♦ Vouchers/gift cards: Airline vouchers can inspire retirees to take to the skies and visit

locales that have long taken up real estate on their bucket lists. If seniors prefer to take to the open road, hotel vouchers or Visa gift cards that can be spent anywhere that accepts credit cards can help pay for gas, meals or entry to popular parks and tourist attractions.

♦ Projector and portable screen: A projector and portable screen can let on-the-go seniors enjoy movie night under the stars or watch their favorite teams even when they’re far from home.

♦ Lifetime pass to world-renowned parks: All United States citizens or permanent residents are eligible for the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Senior Pass, which provides access to more than 2,000 recreation sites across the country. A similar system is in place in Canada, where adults age 65 and up can gain unlimited admission for a full year to more than 80 Parks Canada locations across the country.

♦ Tablet: Of course, retirees may still want to enjoy some of the comforts of home while they’re off in parts unknown. A new tablet can help traveling retirees read the latest bestsellers and stay in touch with family and friends via video conferencing apps like Zoom. Many campgrounds and hotels now provide free WiFi to guests, so a tablet can be just what on-the-go retirees need to stay connected to life back home.

– Courtesy of Metro Creative

learn self defense – using their canes

JEFF WEISINGER

Rose Marie Roza remembers the moment vividly, even though it was a long time ago.

“They stole my purse twice,” she said. “All my belongings, all my life.”

In the years since then, she not only got past that, but also found something that changed her life for the better: cane self-defense.

“It’s changed my whole life,” Roza, 88, said. “I’m more aware now of my surroundings, and now I feel more confident because I feel like I can swing this cane and hit them.”

Cane Self Defense is as self-explanatory as it sounds. It’s learning selfdefense with a wooden cane, using the cane as a tool, not as a weapon, something Master John C. Dexheimer emphasizes in every lesson.

“I never want to refer to it as a weapon because as a weapon that’s a whole different situation,” he said. “This is a tool for self defense. This is a cane, it’s a medical device. That’s what it is, even though it can be used as a tool for self-defense.”

The group meets at the Oakley Senior Center (215 2nd St.) every

Monday at 11:30 a.m. Group members learn when and how to strike with a cane, certain body parts to aim for, along with different combination techniques that they can do with the cane to defend themselves, practicing on a striking dummy as they go.

The group gets a light workout through the self-defense lesson as well. Each lesson costs $15 and goes for about an hour.

“Prior to coming here, I always

walked in malls and places like that, and I was totally aware of everyone who was around,” said Claudia Correia, an 87-year-old student of the program. “I always knew that if somebody attacked me I would freeze and do nothing or wouldn’t scream or anything. When I came here, the first time I learned to yell ‘Stop, leave me alone.’ When I walked out of my first class, I felt empowered and now I feel like if you mess with me, I’m going to disable you.”

Even with the Master title he carries, Dexheimer was once in the same shoes of those he teaches. The master was once a student nearly 20 years ago in this very class at the Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley.

“I saw an ad years ago that a martial artist was teaching self-defense to seniors using the cane,” he explained. “I was walking with a cane so I went to check this guy out.”

The classes in Oakley started in late 2018 and grew slowly until the COVID19 pandemic in 2020 shut it down. Even with fewer people now compared to before, Dexheimer, a sixth-dan black belt cane master, said he enjoys the teaching process just as much as before.

“What I enjoy about teaching is watching (the other seniors) grow and get empowered and feel much safer in the environment,” he said. “Seniors, especially seniors who walk with canes, move much higher up on the potential victim list. Now, if you’ve taken this class, they know now that they may be high on the victim’s list but they’re not going to be a victim easily.”

Those interested in the cane selfdefense classes can contact Dexheimer at 925-998-7720.

To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/ multimedia

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

Mike, 65 years old, has been doing cane-do for one year. Here, he shows off his confidence and newfound abilities in self-defense.

5 ways to show seniors they’re appreciated

Senior citizens account for a significant percentage of the overall population. E stimates from the U.S. Census Bureau released in 2020 indicate the nation’s 65-andolder population had grown by more than one-third over the preceding decade. By 2050, the number of senior citizens is expected to be close to 90 million.

People are living longer than ever, and as individuals age, the demand for senior services continues to grow - as does the need to be patient and respect the elderly. There are many ways to show seniors just how much they’re appreciated.

♦ Help with chores. Lend a hand with chores around the house that may have grown difficult for seniors. This can include mowing the lawn, weeding garden beds, shoveling snow, raking leaves, or even taking the garbage pails in and out on collection days.

♦ Visit more often. Frequent visits are one of the simplest ways to show seniors you care. Whether seniors live in a private home or managed care facility, visitors brighten their days, especially if they no longer get out and about as frequently as they once did. Spending time together and sharing stories can make older adults smile.

♦ Plan activities with seniors in mind When organizing parties and special events, consider the needs of seniors on the guest list. Add music from their era to playlists or DJ requests. Seat seniors with mobility issues near exits and restrooms. Make sure to arrange for photos with the guest of honor to keep family history alive.

♦ Thank seniors. Find a reason to thank a senior. Perhaps someone served in the military or volunteered their time with children. Celebrate accomplishments big and small with a “thank you.”

♦ Prepare a meal. Invite a special senior over for a home-cooked meal with the family. Make it a regular occurrence on the calendar. If he or she cannot get out easily, bring a hot meal over to his or her place, instead.

- Courtesy of Metro Creative

How to find someone special later in life

People are living longer, a reality that can be traced to a number of factors, including advancements in medicine and greater dissemination of information regarding preventive health care. According to data from the United Nations Population Division, the average life expectancy in the United States is 81.65 for women and 76.61 for men. Canada has even higher life expectancies, at 84.74 for women and 81.15 for men.

As people live longer, some may outlive their significant others and ultimately find themselves once again interested in sharing experiences with a special someone. Seniors ready to re-enter the dating pool may find that things are different from what they experienced as naïve teenagers or young adults. Dating used to be about hanging out with friends and meeting people at shared events, such as school dances or work parties, or even while enjoying a night out with friends. Nowadays, dating often begins in cyberspace. This can be confusing and anxietyinducing for adults who didn’t grow up with technology guiding their every move.

According to a report in The Atlantic, more than one-third of Baby Boomers are not married, and this generation has had higher rates of separation and divorce and lower rates of marriage than the generations that preceded them. Many Boomers have years ahead of them to devote to new relationships. Here’s what they may want to know before navigating twentyfirst century dating waters.

♦ You’re not in this alone. While online dating may be portrayed as a young person’s game, plenty of older adults are now finding connections online. In fact, many different dating apps are geared toward the senior set, including SeniorMatch, eHarmony, Singles50, OKCupid, and Silver Singles, among others.

♦ You have more time for fun. As a senior, you may have more time to devote to recreation and leisure. This can be a great opportunity to get out and meet someone who shares your passions and interests.

♦ Online dating has its advantages. While online dating apps and websites may have certain things working against them, particularly if their algorithms for pairing people are not fine-tuned, they also can be helpful. Online dating can expand social circles beyond local neighborhoods or even states, provinces or countries. You’re casting your net over a much larger body of water.

– Courtesy of Metro Creative

Photo courtesy of Metro Creative

Seniors may have to navigate new waters in modern dating. But with a good mindset and a little persistence, it is possible for seniors to find a special someone in cyberspace.

How and why to start a seniors social club

The Foundation for Senior Care says socializing can give seniors a sense of purpose, stimulate the mind, relieve boredom, potentially prevent feelings of depression, and give individuals something to look forward to.

The senior living center Aston Gardens says socialization provides a significant boost to the cognitive health of older adults, helping to prevent or delay conditions that can affect memory.

Individuals looking to cultivate healthy social interactions may turn to clubs and other groups. If there’s a dearth of opportunities, individuals can start and promote their own social club using this helpful guideline.

Decide on the purpose of the group

Social clubs can meet and be organized around any number of themes or interests. Social clubs may meet to discuss gardening, crocheting, reading, or other shared hobbies. Friends also may be interested in doing food and beverage sampling. In such instances, a luncheon social club makes perfect sense.

Turn to social media

Meeting details can be posted in a

community bulletin or on a message board at a local house of worship. However, the internet can be a speedy messenger and help like-minded people figure out how to connect. Facebook groups are one way to organize social clubs, as is the website Meetup.com. The latter is a large online network of offline groups that meet all over the country and the world. The website makes it a snap to organize a local group or to find an existing club.

Check for competition

Conduct a search of groups already meeting within a 50-mile radius to see if an existing group already meets your criteria. If not, proceed full speed ahead as you establish your own club.

Establish consistent meeting times

Most people prefer a schedule so they can plan their days accordingly. Choose a regular meeting time and place to hold the social club; otherwise, it can be confusing to accommodate everyone. Inconsistency also can make it hard to get the club off the ground.

To learn more about local senior clubs, contact the Brentwood Senior Citizens Club located at 193 Griffith Lane or call 925-516-5380 or visit www.brentwood. ca.gov/seniorcenter

In Oakley, contact the Senior Center at 215 2nd St. or by calling 925-626-7223. – Courtesy of Metro Creative

POUR OVER WILLS CAN SAVE THE DAY by Martin C. Johnson, Attorney at Law, MBA,RMA®

If you are like most folks, you’ve worked hard for the wealth you’ve earned. You probably don’t want to see it squandered. But how do you retain a level of control after you are gone? Do you desire influence over your property’s fate after you pass away? To address this, a living trust is a great method to maintain a level of control over what you have built.  Trust-based estate plans avoid probate. Yet, even with the best of planning, some assets may get overlooked and not end up in the living trust. That is where the Pour-Over Will comes into play to save the day. What’s a Pour-Over Will?

To value a Pour-Over Will, understanding revocable living trusts is key. These trusts hold the assets of the trustor, overseen by a trustee who manages them for the beneficiaries. While revocable, these trusts must be funded with actual assets. If some assets remain outside the trust upon the trustor’s death, the Pour-Over Will comes into play.

A Pour-Over Will direct assets owned by the trustor at their death to “pour over” into the trust. This automatic transfer occurs since both the living trust and Pour-Over Will were established prior to the trustor’s passing. Who needs it?

A Pour-Over Will is for those wanting all assets to enter a living trust upon their death. Unexpected life events might prevent some assets from being transferred while alive. This Will acts as a safety net, capturing untransferred assets and directing them into the Trust posthumously.

Certain assets, like motor vehicles, are better excluded from the Trust due to potential legal complications. Also, assets acquired shortly before death might be overlooked. A Pour-Over Will ensures all such assets find their place in the Trust.

How is it different from a regular Will?

A typical Will outlines asset distribution after death, provides for guardianship of children, and other instructions, while a Pour-Over Will focuses on transferring assets to the living trust. While all Wills, including Pour-Over Wills, face probate, Trusts generally evade this process. Still, having a Pour-Over Will in tandem with a Trust is wise as a precaution.

Seek legal expertise

Pour-Over Wills are usually established alongside other estate planning documents, often involving living Trusts. To ensure legal compliance and proper execution, consulting an estate planning attorney is advisable. Their expertise can guide tailored strategies, ensuring seamless asset transitions, and proper legal adherence.

This article provides only general legal information, and not specific legal advice. The information contained is not a substitute for a personal consultation with an attorney. We offer free consultations in our Walnut Creek office. 360 ESTATE PLANNING INC, PHONE (925) 289-8837 1600 S. Main Street, Suite 100, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

© 2023 Martin Johnson

New Age remedies for old age ailments

There are many ways to treat the aches and pains of old age, but most East County residents may not know that crystals, halotherapy and Japanese reiki are among their local options.

Certified reiki master and crystal energy healer Lisa Pacheco opened her business, Crystal Salt Cave, last spring and wants to help her community achieve balanced health. Her official title of certified Usui/Holy Fire III Karuna Sekhem-Seichim Reiki Master may seem intimidating, but she says what she does is simple: help people feel better through reiki and halotherapy. Seniors especially can benefit from her services as she was trained by a woman in Danville, who was trained at the International Center for Reiki in Arizona by her “yoda.”

“Seniors are the ones that have the most skin and lung issues,” said Pacheco, noting both can be improved, or eliminated with regular halotherapy. “Your body is older, it starts breaking down, and that’s just part of nature. So halotherapy helps with a variety of differ-

ent things like eczema, psoriasis, dry and itchy skin, on to asthma, bronchitis, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), seasonal allergies and anything to do with the ear, nose and throat area. This helps.”

According to WebMD.com, halo therapy began in Poland in the 1800s when people realized salt miners had excellent respiratory health and almost no skin problems. That realization evolved into today’s salt caves, where visitors experience halotherapy by sitting in a relaxing, spa-like room – or cave – breathing in tiny particles of salt. Pacheco said she has experienced the benefits first-hand.

“I personally have eczema on my hand,” she said. “I’ve had it for 20 years in two spots on my hand and they won’t go away, and just drive me nuts … I’m in the cave all the time now and my hand hasn’t flared up in a year and a half since I opened.”

In addition to the salt cave, Pacheco offers reiki, a practice she admits is “a

little out there.” The name comes from the Japanese words for “universal” and “life energy.” She defines it as an ancient holistic form of healing in which energy is administered through light touch on a fully clothed person.

“The premise is that you have hurts in your life, big emotions from when a kid called you a name when you were 4 up to someone who was in a car accident and is now too traumatized to get in a car,” said Pacheco. “These experiences can build up in your system and create a blockage, which in turn creates physical pain – foot pain, back pain, stomach aches –all stemming from these blockages. As a reiki master, I go in and remove those blockages and the pain goes away instantly” because she aligns the chakras, she said.

Pacheco said she has had clients come in with joints swollen from arthritis, chronic back pain and a variety of other complaints. After a reiki session, many leave pain-free.

Tricia Piquero, a Brentwood resident

who is older than 50, is a regular visitor to Crystal Salt Cave. She said she initially went because she knew of the benefits salt caves offered, and she stayed because she feels Pacheco’s reiki experience is exceptional.

“Reiki has been around a long time and is becoming more and more mainstream,” Piquero said. “Lisa is high quality, and highly certified from one of the best schools of reiki, and she brings her own unique personality with it. You won’t know what to expect unless you experience it yourself. And when you leave, you feel so relaxed, like you’re on a cloud.”

Pacheco said she hopes people will come in and try her services to experience the benefits for themselves.

“If you think about the horrible things in the air, even if you don’t have lung conditions or skin conditions, you breathe in pollen, toxins, carcinogens, every single day,” she said. “So even if you don’t have major issues, you are cleaning that stuff out of your lungs. This is energy I have been given in my body, and I want to give this to other people.”

Crystal Salt Cave is at 8065 Brentwood Blvd., Suite 2, in Brentwood. For more information, call 925-392-7258 or visit www.crystalsaltcave.com

DAWNMARIE FEHR

Seniors have many different options if they decide they want to return to the workforce in a parttime capacity.

Retirees can consider these part-time jobs

Many adults nearing retirement age count down the days until they can bid adieu to the daily tasks of commuting and working so they can enjoy much more time for recreation, travel or whatever is they aspire to do.

As enticing as unending free time may seem, some retirees find it is not ideal to be entirely free from the responsibility of working. As current seniors can attest, inflation can drive up the costs of living, meaning that seniors who were once able to afford a certain retirement lifestyle may no longer enjoy that hardearned luxury. Others may miss the daily

see Jobs page 13B

We understand that making end-of-life decisions can be difficult. Our caring staff is here to help you every step of the way.

Photo courtesy of Metro Creative

opportunities to socialize that working provides, or the way problem-solving on the job stimulates the brain. But even retirees who miss working may not be ready to return to the workforce fulltime. That can make part-time employment an ideal fit for mature workers.

Here’s a look at some part-time positions that could be a good fit for older adults reentering the workforce.

Retail sales associate

Working in retail opens seniors up to a wide array of responsibilities and scenarios. Jobs may include greeting customers, making sales, putting out inventory, and helping customers select merchandise. Being personable and having good customer service skills are necessary traits to have when working in retail. Many stores offer part-time employees flexible hours so schedules can be customized.

Consultant

Retirees who loved their job but wanted to spend less time doing it can return as consultants. According to The Balance: Money, individuals often find they earn more per hour working as consultants than they did as full-time staff members. Consulting is a way to share expertise and experience without making a full-time commitment.

Customer service representative

A customer service representative is tasked with helping customers solve problems and ensuring customer satisfaction. He or she may work ain a traditional office or store location, or answer calls and resolve issues from home.

School positions

Retirees may want to consider jobs working in schools or in related capacities. Driving a school bus is an option if people are willing to undergo the proper training and licensing to operate this type of vehicle. Seniors also may consider working as lunchroom aides or lunch service providers, crossing guards, substitute teachers, and paraprofessionals. School employees will work only a few hours during the day. They’ll also enjoy many holidays off as well as summer vacations.

Receptionist

Receptionists greet patients or customers in office settings. According to AARP, they are the welcoming faces of organizations. Answering phones and light clerical work also may be required of receptionists. Those who want to work off-peak hours can think about working nights and weekends in hospitals or skilled nursing facilities.

– Courtesy of Metro Creative

By Michael J. Amthor, Esq.

HAVE YOU TALKED WITH YOUR FAMILY ABOUT MONEY? YOU SHOULD. HERE’S WHY.

I have discussed the importance of estate planning many times in these articles. Saving money, peace of mind and making things easier for those you leave behind are just a few of the benefits. However, with estate planning typically comes difficult conversations with family members that does not come natural. Subjects such as who you want to be in charge of your estate after death, who should receive your assets and end of life issues are just the beginning. Nine out of 10 Americans consider it important to have a financial plan but almost half have difficulty discussing finances with loved ones. There are three reasons for this: It can be overwhelming, it can be awkward and talking about a future plan is difficult when you don’t have one in place. The statistics tell an interesting story. 38% of people do not even talk to their spouse or partner about the other’s financial situation before getting married. 55% of those without a financial plan say they are not confident in their retirement and a full 86% of us do not feel they have saved enough for retirement. It starts with a conversation and

sometimes we just need a little help to take that first step. When I talk to clients about estate planning, I do so without making them feel guilty or being ashamed. The most important step you take is talking with someone. I reassure my clients that it is never too late nor too early to start talking about finances after death. Most of my clients have a very real sense of accomplishment and relief because many have been putting it off for years. I cannot emphasize enough the peace of mind my clients walk away with when we complete their estate plan and they know this important issue has been handled. Make a commitment to yourself and talk to your family today about these issues. Keep it light and do not take it too seriously. Your next call should be to my office and we will put your plans into action.

If you have questions on this or any other estate planning topic, call me at (925) 5164888. East County Family Law Group, 1181 Central Blvd. Ste. A, Brentwood www.eastcountyfamilylaw.com – Advertisement

Why it pays for seniors to maintain good credit

The benefits of maintaining good credit include looking more reliable in the eyes of prospective employers and securing lower mortgage interest rates when buying a home.

Those rewards can benefit anyone, but they’re especially enticing to young people. But what about seniors? Do individuals stand to benefit significantly from maintaining good credit into their golden years?

According to the credit reporting agency Experian, senior citizens tend to have the best credit scores of any consumer demographic. That could be a byproduct of years of financial discipline, and there are many benefits to maintaining that discipline into retirement.

♦ Home buying and borrowing: Buying a home is often considered a big financial step forward for young people, but that doesn’t mean aging men and women are completely out of the real estate market. In its 2020 “State of the Nation’s Housing” report, the Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) of Harvard University reported that the share of homeowners age 65 and over with housing debt doubled to 42 percent between 1989 and 2019. In addition, 27 percent of homeowners age 80 and over were carrying mortgage debt in 2019.

Maintaining strong credit after retirement can help homeowners who still have mortgage debt get better terms if they choose to refinance their mortgages. Even seniors who have paid off their mortgages can benefit from maintaining good credit if they decide to move into a smaller home but cannot afford to simply buy the new home outright.

♦ Rewards: Retirement is often associated with travel, recreation and leisure. Such pursuits can be more affordable when seniors use rewards-based credit cards that help them finance vacations, weekend getaways and other expenses associated with traveling. Seniors who maintain strong credit ratings into their golden years may have more access to the best travel-based rewards cards than those whose credit scores dip in retirement.

♦ Unforeseen expenses: No one knows what’s around the corner, but savvy seniors recognize the importance of planning for the unknown. The COVID-19 pandemic seemingly came out of nowhere, and among its many ripple effects was the sudden job loss experienced by seniors. The JCHS report found that 21 percent of homeowners age 65 and over had reported loss of employment income related to the pandemic. Unforeseen medical expenses also can compromise seniors’ financial freedom. Maintaining a strong credit rating into older adulthood can help with this.

– Courtesy of Metro Creative

I am never bored or lonely. Coming here was the best thing that has happened to me.”

Gloria R, TreVista Resident

Courtesy of Metro Creative

Financial strategies that can help seniors make more money

Investing is often portrayed as something people need not worry about after retirement. The theory that people should avoid risk as they approach and reach retirement age makes sense, as the unknown of investing can expose aging individuals to losses that compromise their ability to live comfortably on fixed incomes.

Though conventional wisdom regarding financial risk and aging still makes sense, the effects of inflation over the last year-plus have highlighted how important it can be for seniors to keep growing their money even after they retire. Fortunately, various strategies can help seniors grow their money without exposing them to considerable risk.

♦ Look into high-yield savings accounts. Interest on savings accounts was once a great way for individuals to grow their money. But interest rates on standard, no-minimum-balance accounts are now so low that the growth in interest is negligible. However, individuals with sizable savings, such as seniors, can explore high-yield savings accounts. High-yield savings accounts offer much higher interest rates than standard accounts. The rules governing eligibility to open such accounts differ between financial institutions, but many mandate that account holders have high minimum balances, typically in

the neighborhood of $250,000. So long as account holders maintain that minimum balance, they can accrue penalty-free interest without exposing their money to the risks of the market.

♦ Consider other exclusive bank accounts. High-yield savings accounts are not the only way seniors’ banks may be able to help grow their money without necessarily taking on market-related risk. Products such as Chase Private Client CheckingSM offer exclusive perks, including a dedicated client advisor who can work with seniors as they navigate life changes, including retirement.

♦ Consider low-risk investments. Risk aversion is not the same thing as risk avoidance. It’s wise for seniors to be averse to risk, but they can still consider low-risk investments like short-term bonds as a means to growing their money in retirement. Low-risk investments can be vulnerable to inflation, not unlike money sitting in a savings account. However, certain short-term bonds, such as Treasury InflationProtected Securities (TIPS), are designed to mirror inflation, which makes them an option worthy of consideration for seniors who have been concerned by the ways inflation has affected their financial status in recent years. According to the Department of the Treasury, the principal of a TIPS can go up or down over its term. When the bond reaches maturity, if the principal is higher than the original amount, bond holders get the increased amount. If the principal is lower at maturity, bond holders still get the original amount.

– Courtesy of Metro Creative

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Seniors looking to make more money after retirement can consider a host of options that can make them less vulnerable to inflation.

Programs & Services

P Hospice care

P Palliative care

P Dementia education

P Senior-care classes

P Caregiver resources

P Grief support

P Volunteering

Signs it could be time to move to an assisted living facility

The decision to move oneself or an aging relative into an assisted living facility is complicated.

Though such facilities typically offer an excellent standard of care, it can still be bittersweet for an individual to leave his or her home. Though each individual case is unique, the following are some indicators that the time might be right to move oneself or an aging loved one into an assisted living facility.

♦ Emotional challenges: The National Council on Aging (NCOA) notes that certain emotional challenges may indicate the time is right for an individual to move into an assisted living facility. The NCOA encourages individuals making such a decision independent of others to ask themselves if they are experiencing feelings of loneliness or depression. Assisted living facilities can provide much-needed social interaction that seniors may not be getting at home. If feelings of loneliness or depression are present, then the time might be right to make the move to an assisted living facility.

♦ Physical challenges: Many individuals move into assisted living facilities because the physical challenges of daily life have become too significant to handle alone. The NCOA notes that individuals who are feeling overwhelmed by tasks such as buying groceries, cooking and cleaning may benefit from moving into assisted

living facilities that handle such tasks for them.

♦ Issues with hygiene: The presence of additional challenges related to hygiene also may suggest a move to an assisted living facility may be beneficial. Staff at assisted living facilities can help adults who are struggling to bathe, dress themselves or use a restroom on their own. Family members can look for signs that a loved one’s personal hygiene has taken a turn for the worse. Issues with hygiene can be a byproduct of depression, and poor hygiene also can increase risk for infection and illness.

Our caregiver classes, dementia consultations, and grief support are free of charge to our community, even for those whose loved ones are not on our hospice service. Visit us online to learn more.

♦ Injuries: The NCOA notes that falls or nearfalls are another potential sign that a person can benefit from moving to an assisted living facility. Falls can hurt anyone, but they can be especially damaging to aging adults. For example, the National Institutes of Health report that falls may result in loss of independence, chronic pain and reduced quality of life. Assisted living facilities are often equipped with features to reduce risk of falls, such as grab bars in showers and bathrooms and even along corridor walls. In addition, assisted living facilities may be housed in single-story buildings or equipped with elevators, which means residents won’t be forced to navigate potentially dangerous staircases at any point during the day. Staff also can respond quickly if residents experience a fall, providing much-needed assistance that seniors living alone or with an aging spouse may not get at home.

– Courtesy of Metro Creative

When your loved one is faced with a life-limiting illness, you want a care team that treats them with compassion, dignity, and respect. Hope Hospice has been that trusted resource for families in the East Bay Area since 1980.

Signs of unsafe driving in older drivers

Alicense to drive has long been symbolic of independence. Teenage drivers long for the day they earn their licenses and can take to the road without mom or dad riding shotgun, while aging drivers want to keep driving as long as possible so they can come and go as they please in their golden years.

There’s no formula drivers and their families can employ to determine when it’s time to take the car keys away from senior citizens. Thankfully, fatal collisions involving older drivers have declined considerably in recent decades. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, collision-related fatalities among drivers ages 70 and older declined by 15 percent between 1997 and 2018. A host of factors have no doubt contributed to that decline, including lane-assist technology and forward collision warning systems that have become standard offerings on many modern vehicles.

As much as technology has helped make driving safer for everyone, aging drivers should still keep an eye out for certain signs that may indicate their skills behind the wheel

are diminishing and potentially compromising their ability to drive safely. According to AARP, the following are warning signs of unsafe driving.

Delayed response to unexpected situations:

Frequent close calls and narrowly avoiding collisions when other drivers stop suddenly indicate reduced response time that can put aging drivers at an elevated risk of being involved in an accident.

Becoming easily distracted while driving:

Distracted driving has become a significant concern in recent decades, but it’s often associated with young drivers. However, aging drivers who are easily distracted also pose a safety risk to themselves and other motorists.

Decrease in confidence while driving:

Only drivers will know if they feel confident enough to drive safely, and it’s vital that

aging drivers be honest with themselves when assessing how they feel when driving.

Having difficulty moving into or maintaining the correct lane of traffic:

Lane-assist technology can help drivers recognize how often they’re staying in the correct lane of traffic. When the warning bell goes off frequently, it might be time for older drivers to reconsider if it’s safe for them to be behind the wheel.

Hitting curbs when making right turns or backing up:

Hitting curbs when turning or backing up indicates drivers may be having difficulty controlling their vehicles and/or seeing the road, both of which indicate it’s no longer safe for drivers to get behind the wheel.

Getting scrapes or dents on car, garage or mailbox:

These signs also indicate drivers are having trouble controlling their vehicles.

Driving too fast or too slow for road conditions:

This indicates drivers are not as alert to their surroundings as they need to be to stay safe on the road.

Courtesy of Metro Creative Learning to recognize potential warning signs of unsafe driving can help aging drivers make the safest decisions for themselves, their passengers and their fellow motorists.

– Courtesy of Metro Creative