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Create your version of the perfect retirement at St. Andrew’s Village 106-year-old page RiverPointe resident still ‘living large’

Peakview Assisted Living & Memory Care set to open in Centennial page

A supplement to The Villager Newspaper January 15, 2015

PAGE 2 • THE VILLAGER • January 15, 2015

SeniorChoices

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Check out St. Andrew’s Village retirement home at I-225 and Iliff Avenue by calling 303-695Courtesy photo 8100 or visiting www.StAndrewsVillage.net.

Create your version of the perfect retirement at St. Andrew’s Village Submitted by St. Andrew’s Village Choosing where to live in retirement is about more than selecting a residence. You should feel good just being there. When you live at St. Andrew’s Village, you do, because you’re free to make choices that suit your preferences. Whether it’s choosing a rental apartment home, our buy-in option, or just fine-tuning how sweet you take your tea, the choice is always yours. And you’ll be among friends — a close-knit community of people who care about you the way they care about their own families. Now that feels right. Our community is situated right by I-225 and Iliff Avenue, close to accessible public transportation and just across from the Heather Gardens Golf Course. It’s an inviting location with a neighborhood feel that connects you to all the local cultural, commercial and recreational attractions. Even the bright lights of Denver are just 10 minutes down the road. Everything you might need is nearby — restaurants, entertain-

ment, shopping, medical offices — along with a stunning view of the mountains. You’ll also find our own suite of Village Shoppes right on campus. A convenient location complimenting a liberating lifestyle, that’s St. Andrew’s Village. There are residential options available here to accommodate every need and every lifestyle preference. We offer an impressive selection of generously sized apartment homes with open floor plans, modern features, rich appointments and a walkout patio or balcony for outdoor entertainment and relaxation. And because living here frees you from all the usual chores associated with homeownership, you’ll find you have more time to spend the way you choose. Real choice, real freedom. If the time comes when a little extra assistance with daily activities is needed, our beautifully designed assisted living apartment homes, offering three levels of care tailored specifically to your needs, may be the perfect solution. If short- or long-term care associated with surgery or a medical

condition becomes necessary, our on-campus Health Care Center is staffed, equipped and licensed to provide high-level skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services. When you live at St. Andrew’s Village, you can rest easy knowing you have complete access to services and amenities that can accommodate your needs and lifestyle preferences — even if they change over time. If the opportunity for companionship, travel, education, staying fit and just enjoying life appeals to you, we invite you to come see how St. Andrew’s Village puts it all together in a very attractive package. And when you consider the genuine value and peace of mind from knowing that assisted living, skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services are available if youever need them, you’ll see that St. Andrew’s is no ordinary senior living community. It’s your first-class ticket to freedom. For more information or to arrange a visit, call 303-695-8100 or visit www.StAndrewsVillage.net.

A different perspective…I get it, now By Tammy Heflebower Today, I write about a different perspective of loss – one as the wife of a funeral director and owner. You see, although I’ve seen the business from the inside-out for over 24 years, you know, the many sleepless nights, missed holidays, and private sharing of emotions – I’ve never actually observed my husband in his element, until this past week. As odd as this sounds, it’s true. I have my own career, and I travel a great deal both nationally and internationally. Therefore, I have never attended the funerals my husband leads. Although I’m a biased author, I write this with new insight about a service I had never fully experienced. Yesterday, our neighborhood tragically buried one of our own. One of our special families called Mike in shock and horror, as they frantically tried to make sense of the sad, sad news of losing their 21-year-old son. At that moment, and for days following, I observed my husband put his personal emotions aside, drop his plans for the week, and begin the journey of support and care by heading

straight over to their home. This led to the various needs for the family and their deceased son. I don’t know that all directors go the extra mile, but I do know Mike does. He answered dozens of phone calls at all hours of the day and night, shoveled snow at the family’s home prior to them leaving for the airport, and many other thoughtful gestures to ensure the family felt comforted during the most uncomfortable time of their lives. Just prior to, and during the celebration of life, Mike assisted the family with the emotional last viewing of their son. He coordinated more than 300 attendees, staff, monitored the personalized memorabilia, and coordinated the many unplanned needs of family and friends. Then, he synchronized more than 35 vehicles (with an es-

cort service) to travel flawlessly over 25 city miles to the graveside service, where he accompanied the father, and our friend, to the grave where his son was lowered into his final resting place. The service was a beautiful tribute for an impressive young man. I cried and cried. I held our own sons tighter, and I tried to imagine the inconceivable pain their family must be experiencing. I was emotionally drained and felt as though I’d been through the wringer myself. And, at that moment, I realized this is what Mike (and others in this profession) do every day. I now understand why the families for whom Mike has served, tell me, “We couldn’t have done it without him.” “We love your husband.” “He saved us.” Now…I get it. All the silly jokes about this profession aside, it is an honor and privilege to support the man who supports so many. To learn more about Heflebower Funeral & Cremation Services, located at 8955 S. Ridgeline Blvd. Ste. 100 in Highlands Ranch, call Mike at 720-344-6087.

SeniorChoices

January 15, 2015 • THE VILLAGER • PAGE 3

Knowing the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s can lead to early detection Submitted by Alzheimer’s Association Many people are starting 2015 with questions about the cognitive health of family members after returning home from holiday visits with relatives whom they may not see as frequently during the year. It may be hard to know the difference between agerelated changes and the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Although some change in cognitive ability can occur with age, serious memory problems are not a part of normal aging. Recognizing the difference between normal aging and more serious problems can help you identify when it may be time for your relative to see a doctor. According to Linda Mitchell, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado, “Family and friends are often the first to observe changes in memory, behavior or abilities. Many times, people notice cognitive changes in family members for the first time during the holidays. Recognizing the early warning signs can prompt the first steps towards an early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.” Every individual may experience one or more of the 10 Warn-

ing Signs in different degrees. If you or someone you care about is experiencing any of the 10 warning signs, please see a doctor to find the cause. Early diagnosis gives you a chance to seek treatment and plan for your future. • Memory loss that disrupts daily life • Challenges in planning or solving problems • Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure • Confusion with time or place • Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships • New problems with words in speaking or writing • Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps • Decreased or poor judgment • Withdrawal from work or social activities • Changes in mood and personality Anyone with questions about Alzheimer’s disease and/or seeking information should contact the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 toll-free helpline at 800272-3900 or visit www.alz.org/ co.

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ACC to offer tax-filing help Arapahoe Community College will again serve as a location for the Tax Help Colorado program in 2015, announced the Piton Foundation and the Colorado Community College System. Tax Help Colorado, a partnership between Piton and CCCS, provides Colorado families with the opportunity to have their tax return prepared and e-filed by IRScertified college students. These services are free to taxpayers whose annual household income was less than $52,000 in 2014. ACC will facilitate Tax Help Colorado at its Littleton campus, 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive, each Friday, Jan. 23-March 13, in Room A1540 on the first floor of the Annex Building, noon–3 p.m. IRS-

certified ACC students will prepare and e-file the tax returns. No appointment is necessary. For families who have children at home and whose household income is less than $52,000, the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit can reduce the amount of tax paid and may mean a bigger refund, as much as $6,000 more. Other tax credits can help pay for college. This is the fourth year ACC has worked in conjunction with the Piton Foundation to support Tax Help Colorado. During the 2014 tax season, ACC facilitated 190 returns for a total of $364,613 in federal and state refunds. For more information, visit www.piton.org/tax-help-colorado.

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PAGE 4 • THE VILLAGER • January 15, 2015

Keeping a Watchful Eye By Robert “Sonny” Wiegand II hen kids are little, it was often said, “Mom has eyes in the back of her head.” The intention of this all-knowing 360-degree view is not only to keep children from getting into trouble, but also to keep them safe. As mom (and dad) move on in years, the question then remains, who is looking out for them, to protect them as they age in place or in a care facility? There are benefits

to have someone checking up on them who have their best interests in mind. Consider the benefits of an independent third party looking out for the interest of a senior, especially when family members live out of town. The costs involved are little relative to the peace of mind it provides to everyone involved; and it can help to avoid costly mistakes, from forgetting to pay bills on time, to not eating well leading to ill-health, to outright care-giver negligence, to outright abuse (both

financial and physical), all which are easily preventable by someone who knows what to look for. In our work with at-risk persons, we have non-lawyers who we send to visit and check in on their well-being. We can then work together with the family to address issues as they arise. Whether a senior is living in their own home or in assisted living, we look out for the person at risk all with the well-being of the at-risk person as our main priority. If, for whatever reason an at-

Robert Wiegand II risk person doesn’t have competent family members coming by on a regular basis and paying attention to the details, having someone

SeniorChoices

check-in is a good idea. As a law firm specializing in elder financial management, we are entrusted to be fiduciaries in every sense of the word. We see the big picture and are there to be stewards. We also know it is personal. A Rotary member since 1991, principles of The Rotary International Four-Way Test (Truth, Fairness, Goodwill and Beneficial) help guide our counsel. Mom would do the same. Now, shouldn’t you? For more information, contact Wiegand Attorneys & Counselors LLC at 303-741-6410 or visit http://www.wiegandattorneys.com.

Centennial WWII veteran helps Cub Scouts with Pinewood Derby cars By Chuck Montera Super heroes come in all shapes and sizes. For four Cub Scouts from Troop 286, their super hero is a

90-year-old Centennial man who knows his way around a wood shop. Russ Yost isn’t your typical super hero. By day he is a mild-

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mannered retiree at the Holly Creek Retirement Community in Centennial, but when called to an assignment, he jumps into action swiftly and with a determined sense of purpose. His most recent assignment was to assist local scouts Seamus, Tiernan, Luca and Dominic with their Pinewood Derby cars. “I don’t have the proper tools to cut out the bodies of my sons’ cars,” said Ailbe Duffy, father of Tiernan and Seamus. So Duffy contacted Holly Creek after hearing that the community had a wood shop. Duffy was put in touch with Yost and soon a group of scouts who did not have a way to cut out their car bodies brought their blocks of down to Yost to see what he could do. “I had the scouts trace their design onto their wooden blocks and I cut out the body shapes using a band saw,” said Yost. While in the Holly Creek wood shop, Yost talked to the scouts about basic of wood shop safety and about the importance of duty and serving your country. At 18, Yost enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the 36th Fighter Squadron as a mechanic on P-38 fighter planes. “My experience in the South Pacific taught me how to be resilient,” Yost told the scouts. “We made due with what we had and sometimes we took parts off of one plane in order to get another plane up in the air.” In fact, one of the planes Yost serviced during the war, the Bonnie B now hangs in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. The scouts were delighted with the cars Yost cut out.

Luca and Seamus watch Russ use the drill press. “I can already tell this car is going to be faster than my car from last year,” said Seamus. Duffy reminded his son that there was still lots of work to do on the car, including sanding, painting and assembling the axels and wheels. The Pinewood Derby race is the last week of January. When Yost isn’t helping scouts with their cars, he and two other residents, Herb Bowman and Bill Keebler, spend their time making hand-made toy wooden cars for underprivileged children distributed

through the non-profit “Toys for God’s Kids.” According to Yost, since 2006 the Holly Creek woodworkers have made more than 50,000 toy cars that have distributed to children in more than 30 countries, including the U.S. Whether it’s helping local scouts or making toy cars for children he will never meet, Yost is happy to jump in and help wherever and whenever needed. After all, isn’t that what super heroes do?

When you live at St. Andrew’s Village you can rest easy knowing you have complete access to services and amenities that can accommodate your needs and lifestyle preferences — even if they change over time. • Generously sized one, two and • Fine dining with outstanding three bedroom apartment homes menu choices • Rental or Buy-In options available • Social, spiritual and recreational events • Community amenities include • Priority access to Assisted Living, salon and spa, pool and Skilled Rehabilitation and fitness center Outpatient Therapy Call today to arrange a personal tour. 303.695.8100 www.StAndrewsVillage.net EQUAL HOUSING

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Luca and Tiernan (front) and Seamus and Dominic (back) pose with Russ Yost, who helped them with their Pinewood Derby cars. Courtesy photos

SeniorChoices

January 15, 2015 • THE VILLAGER • PAGE 5

106-year-old RiverPointe resident still ‘living large’ By RiverPointe in Littleton Mary Cole of RiverPointe in Littleton has a preternatural ability to win at Bingo. On nights when she doesn’t win, she alerts the caller to the fact that there is a hearse waiting for him out front. Some say she has shady connections with the “Bingo Syndicate,” but others believe it’s a result of the good Karma she has accumulated over a long life, well lived. You see, she is 106 years old. And although Mary seems to be lucky at games of chance, it is quickly apparent to anyone who spends a little time with her that Mary’s great life has been no accident. This is a woman who has always been “at the helm” of her life; self-assured, confident and resilient. She is no longer driving, and recently began using a walker, but other than that she is still living large. Mary has a stern demeanor at times, which can be somewhat intimidating, until you say hello. Then the big, warm smile comes and suddenly you feel like you have a new best friend. I thought to myself (myself being Donna Macauley, director of marketing at RiverPointe), how does someone who has seen the airplane evolve from fabric covered wood to supersonic stealth fighters, and modest one-

piece bathing suits become, well, slices of nylon, spend her time? For instance, where does she like to shop for clothes and heck, what does she think of the new styles? I do know she enjoys going to thrift stores, but not for her everyday clothes. Instead, she gathers the most outrageous costumes for seasonal parties. She once attended a Halloween bash dressed as a biker dude, complete with tattooed arm sleeves (where she got those, I’ll never know), and she had somehow grown “stubble” on her chin, looking remarkably like an unshaven “hood.” At 103, she dressed as a dancehall girl wearing a low cut red dress and high-heeled shoes. By the way, she wears heels most days. During Littleton’s Western Welcome Week she dressed as an Indian, donning face paint and moccasins. What does she enjoy watching on television? Everything from Judge Judy to National Geographic to Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Coming from a family of doctors and lawyers, Mary appreciates Judge Judy’s thorough preparation. And as the well-balanced spirit she is, Mary has a deep appreciation of nature programming, as it helps keep us bound to the natural world. Rumor has it that Mary also likes Maury Povich (who is the daddy

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of that baby?), and Keeping Up With the Kardashians, although she denies these allegations! When asked about her travel experiences, Mary relates that back in the day, when she was only 100, she celebrated her birthday by traveling East to be with family. Her other favorites included New Zealand, with a climate that reminds her of California, and a remarkably safe environment, where everyone closes shop on New Year’s Eve, puts the keys to their shop under a rock while they are out celebrating, and can return with the certainty no one has disturbed their property. And Mary visited Japan at Christmas time, just to see how they decorate for the holidays. Mary feels she has learned so much through her travels, and has shared that richness with her sons, whom she has taken to every state in the Union. Mary has longevity in her genes, with a 106-year-old grandmother buried in nearby Boulder. Mary was married for 64 years, grew up even before the radio became a household item, and drove a car (standard transmission, of course) by the age of 14.

Mary Cole, a RiverPointe in Littleton resident, still celebrating at age 106. Courtesy photo

Despite her growing tendency to sleep a lot, she continues to stay active and on top of things. You can generally find her waiting first in line for the dining room seating sheet at RiverPointe, and heaven help you if you butt in line. She remembers

every staff person at the holidays with Valentine candies, Easter marshmallow bunnies, trick or treat bags at Halloween…and birthday cards. In fact, Mary never misses an opportunity to celebrate. Is that the key to living to 106?

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PAGE 6 • THE VILLAGER • January 15, 2015

3 tips for retiring out of state  Financial consultant says a little planning can save money

Retirees flock to Florida and Arizona for year-round sunshine and golf, but all things considered, they’re not the best states for happy golden years, according to a new survey. Along with average number of sunny days, factor in cost of living, residents’ sense of wellbeing, quality of health care, crime and, yes, humidity, and the best destination is (surprise!) South Dakota, according to a 2014 Bankrate report. “As this report correctly suggests, pre-retirees need to consider a lot more than snow days and tradition,” says Rodger Friedman, founding partner and wealth manager at Steward Partners Global Advisory and author of “Forging Bonds of Steel,” (www.forgingbondsofsteel.com/), a guide to developing an excellent working relationship with your financial advisor.  “Different states have different tax laws and other regulations that can have a major impact on your retirement funds. You need to be aware of these as you plan for where you want to live and how you want to live.” Whether you’re considering one of the other top four “best states to retire” – Colorado, Utah, North Dakota and Wyoming, in that order – here are five tips for planning ahead: • New state – new income tax rules. Get to know them. Familiarize yourself with the tax laws of the state you’re considering for your new home. Two of the top five on Bankrate’s list – South Dakota and Wyoming –

have no state income tax, along with five others: Nevada (No. 18 on the list), Texas (19), Washington (22), Florida (39) and Alaska (48.). Also, an itemized deduction in one state may not be an itemized deduction in another. If you use the long form (1040) to file federal income taxes, hire a reputable, experienced CPA for guidance. Look into how your new state taxes retirement income. States differ on taxing interest income from tax-free municipal bonds. Some states give tax credits; treat public and private pensions differently; or offer federal, military or blanket exclusions. The following states are community property states: Idaho, New Mexico, Texas, California, Arizona, Wisconsin, Nevada, Louisiana and Washington. Speaking with an estate-planning attorney regarding how this issue may affect you may be money very well spent.

• If you’re married, are you moving to a community property state? There are nine community property states – those that divide all martially-acquired assets and debt 50:50 in the event of divorce. (Exceptions include an inheritance or gift received by one spouse and maintained separately in that spouse’s name.) Community property states are Idaho, New Mexico, Texas, California, Arizona, Wisconsin, Nevada, Louisiana, and Washington. Speaking with an estateplanning attorney regarding how this issue may affect you may be money very well spent. • Have a lawyer review your estate planning documents.  Your existing estate planning documents should be reviewed by a lawyer in your new state of residence because statutes differ on the types of documents required and the powers bestowed upon each. For example, states are all over the map regarding the validity of a power of attorney document and the powers that may or may not be conveyed. “During their careers, their acquiring wealth years, many people live in places that have lots of jobs – and the higher cost of living that goes along with that,” Friedman says. “In retirement, many they want to move to a state where they can enjoy the same or an even better lifestyle with less money. “For that, it’s essential to consider not only the cost of living but the state laws that affect your accumulated wealth and income.”

Changing the Way the World Ag Revolutionary caregiving modelServing inspiredthe bycommunitie Japanese prefecture

Mom and dad were there for you – let us help you be there for them. Home Care Assistance of Centennial offers security for older adults and peace of mind for family members. • Home Care Assistance caregivers receive training in our Balanced Care Method™, which is a holistic program that promotes a healthy mind, body and spirit for aging adults and people with chronic care needs or disabilities. • Home Care Assistance has produced an award-winning senior wellness book series, including Happy to 102 and Mind Over Gray Matter, and a renowned healthy longevity webinar series in partnership with the American Society on Aging.

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303-957-3100 Changing the Way the World Ages

Changing the Way the World Ages

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Serving the communities of Southeast Suburban Metro Denver

Submitted by Home Care Assistance of Centennial We are living through an aging revolution. The last 50 years have seen major advances in modern medicine and nutrition knowledge which have not only extended the number of years we can expect to live, but the quality of life we can hope to enjoy. By 2031, every baby boomer will be older than the age of 65 (with the oldest boomers aged 88); this will also mark a time when seniors will comprise one quarter of the North American population. But it is not simply that people are living longer, people’s standards and expectations for aging are also seeing a dramatic shift. While retirement age used to be about stopping, now it is about going. Being in the business of providing in-home care to aging adults, we found early on that aging adults and their loved ones were hungry for knowledge on what factors enable some adults to live longer, happier and healthier lives than others. While there is no single explanation for why some people live longer and more productive years than others, there is one place on earth that has been called the ideal place for aging: Okinawa. Okinawa is an island in the archipelago region of Japan in the East China Sea where the average life expectancy is just over 82 years (almost 78 for men and 86 for women). This is more than a year longer than in the rest of Japan and almost 4.5 years longer than the average U.S. lifespan. Okinawans are three to seven times more likely to live to 100 than Americans. As impressive as the long lives lived by the people of Okinawa are, what is of equal, if not more interest, is the quality of health most elders of Okinawa enjoy. Heart disease, cancer, dementia, diabetes, and other conditions considered par for the course in older people in North America are rare in Okinawan elders. Studies have found that such genetic factors only account for about one third of the Okinawan elders’ extraordinary health and long life spans. Two-thirds of this enviable good health appears to be the result of diet, exercise, low stress levels, familial and community ties, social practices and spiritual beliefs. Each of these elements, just like the disorders and diseases they help prevent, feed on one another in a symbiotic relationship. Home Care Assistance has developed a revolutionary and proprietary approach to senior care based on these centenarian studies called The Balanced Care Method. Excellent physical health, men-

tal awareness and inner calm are common among the studied elders. The Method seeks to capture some of the lifestyle factors that go towards creating such long-lived and healthy people. Its philosophy can be summed up in two words: moderation and variety. A steady diet of mackerel, tempeh, seaweed, sweet potatoes, and green tea is probably not realistic for most Westerners. Neither is daily tai chi practice or walks between villages, yet there are many ways to implement the principles of the Okinawan lifestyle within a Western framework. We have distilled some of the main lifestyle components below for you: • Dietary factors: A major factor that results in the extraordinary health enjoyed by Okinawan elders is their distinct diet. It is plantbased, low in protein and high in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and flavonoids. It includes low to moderate alcohol intake, plenty of fruits and vegetables and very low levels of saturated fat and sodium. • Exercise factors: Okinawan elders have life-long routines of moderate exercise and physical activity. They walk most places they go, keep up daily tasks like housework, gardening and working well past the age of “retirement” in North America and practice the soft martial art of tai chi. They report that these physical activities also give them a sense of calmness and psychological wholeness. • Sense of purpose and active social ties: The remarkable life spans and health in Okinawa can be further explained by the extent to which their lives are also low stress, socially rich, purposeful and spiritual. Their inner calm and desire to remain productive into older age offers Okinawan elders substantial stress relief, a sense of social connection and purpose and a respected, important role in their community. The Balanced Care Method is a way of viewing aging as a rich and meaningful part of life. Each element – fostering independence, encouraging the maintenance of social ties, remaining active – supports and reinforces the others. The best lesson we can learn from the elders of Okinawa is to embrace and celebrate aging and approach it with a sense of balance and reverence. As we predict in our aging book, Happy to 102, expect to see bigger birthday cakes or thinner candles in the decades ahead. For more information, contact Home Care Assistance of Centennial Office at 303-957-3100 or www.CentennialHCA.com.

Serving the comm

SeniorChoices

January 15, 2015 • THE VILLAGER • PAGE 7

Peakview Assisted Living and Memory Care center is a two-story, 85-unit community that is equipped with everything a person would need.

Courtesy photo

Peakview Assisted Living & Memory Care set to open in Centennial this spring Submitted by Spectrum Retirement Peakview Assisted Living & Memory Care is making its debut to the southern Centennial area at the beginning of 2015. Located off E-470 and Liverpool Street, Peakview will be introduced as Spectrum’s fifth retirement community in Colorado. Peakview will feature assisted living, transitional memory care, dementia & Alzheimer’s/ memory care. This 85-unit community and two-story building is equipped with a full-service beauty salon, theater, private dining/bistro room and stateof-the-art wellness center. In all Spectrum communities, we pride ourselves on encouraging a healthy-lifestyle for our residents. For this reason residents

are given a restaurant-style menu with an array of healthy choices to choose from—personally prepared by our expert chefs. Our main focus at Spectrum is to uphold our promises of what we contribute to the community and our residents. It is important our residents and their families understand Peakview is not just another “retirement home,” but a community with custom designed living for those who may or may not need around the clock care, all provided in our homelike apartments. Peakview Assisted Living & Memory Care is different in that we specialize in providing only the services you need and have designed specific programs customized to meet those needs.

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Specially, The Residence Club at Peakview Assisted Living and Memory Care is a transitional memory care program that helps individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment. We believe that many residents who currently live in a traditional memory care setting could flourish in a less restrictive environment. This unique and stimulating club is for residents who have memo-

ry issues, but who are currently residing in assisted living. It supports the independence of the resident by helping to maintain normal daily activities. The best of The Residence Club programming combines and strengthens relationships through engagement in activities with others who enjoy the same interests and personalization to meet the overall needs of the group.

All of us are looking for the same thing when it comes to placing our loved ones in the hands of others, you can be rest assured that our Spectrum family will give your and your loved ones the attention, love, and heartfelt care they would give to their own. For more information about Peakview Assisted Living & Memory Care, visit www.peak viewassistedliving.com.

PAGE 8 • THE VILLAGER • January 15, 2015

5 life insurance game-changers & cautions consumers need to know If you’ve been putting off buying life insurance or revising your current plan, you’re not alone. Many consumers cite high premiums and a glut of red tape among the reasons they shy away from purchasing or modifying a policy. However, over recent years and even months, the life insurance industry has made great strides and is now more consumeroriented than ever before.  Common barriers and challenges that once blocked shoppers from securing great coverage benefits with ease— and at affordable prices—are a thing of the past. Indeed, amid a handful of game-changing industry innovations, the time to consider life insurance coverage is now. Here’s why:

1. No Medical Exam Necessary

Medical exams have always been a major pain point in the life insurance process. Increasingly, companies are offering policies for lower benefit amounts (like $400,000 and under) without the need for a medical exam. However, insurance companies do check your pharmacy records to see all medications prescribed in the past five years. While underwriting times for these policies average about three weeks, some companies do offer coverage in just 24 to 48 hours and you can even find instant issue term life insurance.  Cautionary note: With new “no medical exam” processes leading to quicker issue policy options, consumers must be careful to take the time to research an insurance company in full before submitting an application, even when the process is entirely online. When an insurance company declines an applicant, that status is stored in the Medical Information Bureau database, which is a service that gives all of the major insurance companies access to shared data. The MIB services “alert” un-

derwriters to errors, omissions or misrepresentations made on insurance applications in an effort to mitigate their risk exposure and, in doing so, allow them to pass cost-savings to consumers. This “declined” status will tarnish your record and can make it difficult for you to secure insurance from another provider.

2. Technology-Driven Price Drops

Today’s life insurance rates are down as much as 70 percent from their highs in the mid 1990’s. This is in large part due to the Internet, which has fostered aggressive competition between insurance companies. New technologies have also made it possible for companies to cut administrative costs and those savings are passed on to the marketplace. If you have an older life insurance policy, there’s a good chance you can get a better deal on an updated policy. As with refinancing a home mortgage to take advantage of better rates, it’s a good idea to revisit your current policy and see what’s available in terms of lower costs and higher benefits.   Cautionary note: While consumers can get insurance quotes online, many of the rate comparisons on the Internet will just quote based on the lowest premiums for the healthiest of applicants. One attractive rate may be advertised but, after the underwriting and health questionnaire process, many individuals find they actually qualify for more expensive policy rates. In addition, many rate comparisons found online require the customer to enter in their name, phone, and email address to run a quote. This can be problematic for consumers since this personal information is often sold to agents as leads, which can result in the consumer receiving sales calls from up to eight agents that bought the

lead. Unfortunately, these calls can continue for years, and email can be spammed for years. So, be sure to read the fine print usually associated with the “submit” button prior to running an online quote. Companies that sell your information as such are required by law to disclose that they will use automated dialers or provide your information to third parties.

3. Ageism is Extinct

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that once you’re past a certain age, you can no longer get affordable life insurance. Regulators have revised life-expectancy projections -- known as mortality tables -- for the first time since 1980. A man who is 40 years old today can expect to live to be 78, not 73, as was the expectation 25 years ago. Because of this, an 80-year-old male can get a 10 year term policy and an 85-yearold can still get a fully underwritten whole life policy.   Cautionary note: As we get older we experience more medical issues. Anyone over 50 or someone with known medical issues is best off contacting an experienced agent to handle their life insurance needs, as this agent will contact underwriters of multiple insurance companies to discuss the nuances of your particular application before applying in order to avoid the client being declined or adversely rated in the MIB. This agent-driven process also allows for insurance companies to compete against each other to get the best rate. More inexperienced agents may submit an application without reviewing multiple options and/or are captive and can only sell/submit to one specific insurance company. An independent agent or brokerage is best to ensure flexibility and customized service.

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4. New Living Benefits

New living benefits riders enable you to use your life insurance policies while you are alive. For example, the accelerated death benefit rider allows you to use up to 75 percent of your coverage amount if you have a terminal illness. The chronic illness rider allows you to use up to 90 percent of the policy’s death benefit if you are unable to perform two of the six daily living requirements of bathing, continence, dressing, eating, toileting, and transferring. This is very similar to a Long Term Care Policy. Companies leading the way for living benefits riders are Transamerica and Protective Life Insurance. There is also a critical illness rider which allows you to use up to 90 percent of the death benefit of your policy if you suffered a critical health condition such as cancer, heart attack, stroke, a major organ transplant, end stage renal failure, ALS, blindness, or paralysis of two or more limbs. Life insurance companies realize people are living longer. This is good news for everyone. No longer are great benefits only for the young or for those willing to pay high premiums and jump through multiple hoops. The insurance industry has listened and has responded to the needs of the consumer in order to streamline the application process and deliver benefits that make sense. Now not only can you get life insurance at any age, but you can also enjoy those benefits during your lifetime. It doesn’t get much better than that. Cautionary note: While some of these new benefits are wonderful, they are still very new. State regulators are still reviewing some of these benefits and some of them may even be required for free in some states, like California. For example, waiver of premiums due to disability has been under scrutiny in various regions. So, it’s important to capitalize on these benefits while they are in play. Gaining access to insurance benefits while the insured is living stops unscrupulous businesses from buying insurance policies from sick people for pennies on the dollar. Using life insurance to fund long term care is a great idea for some, though an estate planner can advise regarding the best solution based on personalized needs. Accelerated death benefits, chronic illness riders, and critical illness riders are outstanding considerations and should be discussed.

5. Painless Policy Procurement

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Traditionally, if you wanted to buy life insurance, you had to have an in-person meeting with an insurance agent. In fact, most insurance companies required their agents to be present in order to witness the application. This practice has gone the way of the dinosaur. According to a 2013 study performed by LIMRA

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and The Life Foundation, fully 50 percent of consumers preferred buying life insurance without a face to face meeting. The industry apparently heard this collective marketplace voice and, today, there is no need to meet with your insurance agent in person. Applications can filled out over the phone or on the internet, the entire process is quicker and easier than ever. To that end, insurance carriers are offering Express or Rapid applications that include time-saving features such as digital applications, the acceptance of digital and voice signatures, and the ability to scan or fax the applications, thus avoiding “snail mail” altogether. In addition to making the application process simpler and more expeditious, insurance companies are also making it easier and more convenient for consumers to comparison shop and find the policy that best fits their budget. You can research all the insurance carrier’s rates online, and some brokers even allow consumers to run rate comparisons online without requiring them to enter their contact information as part of the process. This model is a bona fide hit, with 80 percent of the marketplace now researching and running rate comparisons online before purchasing a policy. Cautionary note: While new insurance policy shifts are positive for consumers and allow them to make more informed decisions and offer more convenience, be mindful of potential security and identity theft issues. First, ensure you are dealing with an A-rated insurance carrier, which you can easily confirm by utilizing online resources like www. ambest.com. This online resource allows consumers to search any insurance company’s financial ratings. Because insurance applications contain social security numbers and much other personal information, don’t send your application to more than one person and, before hitting “send,” confirm the recipient’s email address is correct. Second, because you have an application in digital format, be sure your own computer or device is secure, which may require firewall, virus and malware cleaning software. Follow these tips and you’ll be en route to finding the policy you need quickly and safely.   For those that put off getting life insurance because of the medical exams, paperwork, price, or pushy salesmen, the good news is that modern industry enhancements have largely alleviated those concerns. But, keep in mind that just a few minutes of due diligence can make a huge difference in the outcome of the life insurance endeavor. Brian Greenberg is a multifaceted entrepreneur currently serving as a founder and executive of multiple online businesses, including serving as president of True Blue Life Insurance.