Retirement Guide Special Section by Lawrence Journal-World

FEBRUARY 20, 2022

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LAWRENCE JOURNAL-WORLD

YOUR GUIDE TO

RETIREMENT HEALTH • MONEY • LIVING

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Builders aim to provide home care for retirees, seniors

istory would suggest that if I want to age in place, I may need to become less of a handyman. (I’ll let you guess whether that’s because of the dangers of power tools or the dangers of reporting the results of my latest project to my lovely spouse.) A new Lawrence company is betting there are many retirees who will be looking for handyman services in the near future. Longtime Lawrence builders Travis Dillon and Mike Nuffer have brought a new franchise to Lawrence that aims to provide home-maintenance services to the retiree and senior citizen markets. The duo recently opened a Lawrence franchise of TruBlue Total House Care, in part, because Lawrence has a growing senior and retiree population. “We really want to put a strong focus on helping people stay at home longer,” Dillon said. “The aging-in-place modifications are

TOWN

TALK Chad Lawhorn

clawhorn@ljworld.com something we really are passionate about.” Some common modifications include relatively simple tasks like adding a grab bar in a shower or toilet area, or replacing traditional doorknobs with easier-to-open door levers. But the company also does more complex projects, like removing a tub and replacing it with a shower, or widening doorways to accommodate wheelchairs or other devices. Dillon, a carpenter by trade, previously worked for Nuffer, who has been a contractor and homebuilder in the Lawrence

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TRAVIS DILLON, LEFT, AND MIKE NUFFER are the owners of the Lawrence franchise for TruBlue Total House Care. area for about 30 years. Just prior to the pandemic, the two teamed up to create a business aimed at building projects to make homes

more accessible. But when the pandemic struck, many of their

> BUILDERS,8C

Gray Anatomy program gives seniors space to discuss health topics By Chansi Long Special to the Journal-World

Paula Slater loves health education. All of her life, during medical appointments, she’d ping her doctors with questions, and they generally appreciated her inquisitiveness. Her appetite for medical knowledge is one

reason why Slater, 67, of Lawrence, loves Gray Anatomy, a monthly series hosted by the Lawrence Public Library via Zoom. A collaboration between LMH Health and the library, Gray Anatomy launched in September as part of the library’s two-year pilot program

called Retirement Boot Camp, which was created to enhance retirees’ quality of life. So far Gray Anatomy has focused on brain and memory, heart health, hearing and skin. The Zoom sessions feature local medical experts who explain common bodily changes associated with aging.

“They all get A-plus ratings,” Slater says. “I love body and medical learning, and these presentations clearly brought out basic information and descriptions with views of problems and what to do about them.” Allison Koonce, community outreach and

engagement supervisor at LMH Health, says Gray Anatomy provides essential information for seniors, especially those who are experiencing physical changes that they aren’t sure are normal. “When we’re younger we get lots of information on how our body

changes, then we kind of stop learning,” Koonce says. “These sessions discuss what is common as you age and what should inspire you to reach out to your health provider ... It’s been excellent at just giving information ... but

> HEALTH, 6C

Sunday, February 20, 2022

RETIREMENT GUIDE

L awrence J ournal -W orld

LIVING

Breweries populating vacant U.S. churches Nationwide road trip could hit about 30 former church spots

By Kathryn Post Religion News Service via AP

Bruce Lindsay never expected to own a church. But when his mother died shortly before the pandemic, he wanted to use his inheritance to do something extraordinary. “My mother, if she were alive today, I think would have a great chuckle at what I’ve purchased,” said Lindsay. “I found myself surrounded by a church when it was the last place on earth I wanted to go to as a kid.” In August, after purchasing a 900-square-foot Methodist church built in 1876, Lindsay and his business partner, Anna Cronin, opened Dirt Church Brewing Co. in East Haven, Vermont. It’s one of at least eight church breweries that have opened in the U.S. since 2020. Today, the U.S. has roughly 30 breweries based in once-vacant churches. Though some church breweries have faced pushback for offering suds in a once-sacred space, the move has precedent. Monks have been brewing beer in monasteries for centuries, offering it to visitors and often imbibing it themselves at a time when it was safer to drink beer than water. Dirt Church Brewing Co. originally intended to open a brewery inside the church, but Cronin and Lindsay found it lacked running water, a septic tank and heat. Rather than tearing open the building to add the required services, they built the taproom next door, where the town’s

AP File Photo

DAVID DONALDSON DRAWS A PITCHER OF BEER at the Lost Abbey Brewery booth at the 27th annual Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado. Last year, the San Diego company opened a new location inside a 1906 church, joining about 30 breweries across the nation to have such locations. former meetinghouse once stood. The church, now used as an art gallery and event space, remains integral to the brewery’s identity. The name “dirt church” is both a nod to the 19thcentury building as well as lingo used by the cycling community that Lindsay and Cronin belong to. “It’s kind of our little cheeky nickname for the Sunday morning long ride that was usually on mountain bikes or gravel bikes,” said Cronin. “Instead of going to ‘churchchurch,’ we would say, ‘Hey, are you going to dirt church?’” Today, the brewery hosts “dirt church” for its patrons once a month via Sunday bike rides, runs

or hikes — followed by a few celebratory beers at the taproom, of course. Across the country in San Diego, The Lost Abbey brewing company opened a new location in December inside the shell of a Mexican Presbyterian church built in 1906. The brewery added pews, chandeliers, tapestries and even stained-glass windows to accentuate its slightly irreverent brand. “This building fell into massive disrepair and probably would have been demolished were it not for the developers that saved it,” said Tomme Arthur, co-founder of The Lost Abbey. This is the brewery’s first location in a former house of worship.

The Lost Abbey was founded in 2006 to offer beers inspired by Belgian monastic brewing traditions, as well as some “nondenominational” beers brewed in no particular style. Per the company’s slogan, it offers brews to “sinners and saints alike” — a motto it’s embraced wholeheartedly. The new location, appropriately dubbed “The Church,” is split into two sides, one for sinners and one for saints. The sections are marked by corresponding décor: A St. Peter statue presides over the saints area, and Mary Magdalene — who is often misidentified as a prostitute — occupies the sinners side.

The Lost Abbey’s beers play off of similar tropes, with “saintly” names such as “10 Commandments” or “Gift of the Magi” juxtaposed with names like “Judgment Day” or “Serpent’s Stout.” The next addition will be a beer featuring Baby Moses, a wink at the popular “Mandalorian” character Baby Yoda. “We’ve always taken our beers more seriously than a lot of other things,” said Arthur, who grew up attending Catholic school. “What’s great is that every time that we need some sort of inspiration, we’re able to open up the Bible.” The Ministry of Brewing, located in what was once St. Michael the Archangel Church in Baltimore, makes it a point to avoid religious themes in its marketing. “All of our names of our beers are typically Baltimore references or something about the neighborhood,” said Jon Holley, the brewery’s general manager. “As far as religious terms, imagery, things like that, we already know that being in a church is a sensitive thing for a lot of people, so we’re not trying to touch that at all.” The church was built in 1857 and was home to a German Catholic

congregation and, later, a Spanish-speaking congregation before closing due to the cost of upkeep. In 2018, the Ministry of Brewing began a full renovation to preserve and restore many of the original elements of the building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. The church reopened to the public as a brewery in January 2020, featuring a dazzling interior with soaring columns and a mural-painted barrel ceiling. The brewery also hosts events, fundraisers and even local delegate debates. Though Holley said he “half expected” pushback for residing in a historic church, the brewery has received overwhelming support. Most often, he said, patrons can be found enjoying the brewery’s bestselling hazy pale ale called “Wispy,” a reference to wispy stained glass. Like the other two breweries, Dirt Church Brewing Co. in Vermont is intentional about its beer names. Its flagship beer? It’s named “Rejoice,” after Lindsay’s mother, Joyce. “It’s our most popular beer,” said Lindsay. “Without my mother’s help, none of this would exist today.”

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MONEY

Responsibility for debt after parents’ death is a tricky situation By Liz Weston NerdWallet via AP

Many people believe one of two common myths when a parent dies in debt, says Chicago estate planning attorney Michael Whitty. The first myth is that an adult child will become liable for their parents’ debt. The second myth is that they can’t. Adult children typically don’t have to pay their parents’ bills, but there are exceptions. And even when a child doesn’t have to pay directly, debt could reduce what they inherit. Debt doesn’t simply disappear when someone dies, Whitty explains. Creditors can file claims against the estate, and those claims usually have to be paid before anything is distributed to heirs. Creditors also are allowed to contact relatives about the dead person’s

debts, even if those family members have no legal obligation to pay. If you’re concerned that your parents’ debt might outlive them, consider talking to an estate planning attorney for personalized legal advice. Here are some issues to explore.

Who is responsible? Generally, family members don’t have to use their own money to pay a dead relative’s debts unless they: l Co-signed a loan, were a joint account holder or otherwise agreed to be held responsible for the debt. l Are the surviving spouse and live in a community property state or a state that requires surviving spouses to pay debts such as medical bills. l Were legally responsible for settling the estate and didn’t follow state law. For example, if you’re the

Health CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1C

also the connection it fosters; the question-and-answer portion gives (participants) an opportunity to interact with the physician and also each other.” Carola Ratzlaff, 73, of Lawrence, says she has enjoyed being able to connect with local medical experts about topics relevant to her health. “I like the (Gray Anatomy) sessions because they are led by knowledgeable and friendly experts in their field,” Ratzlaff says. “The attendees have the opportunity to chat with a doctor and ask questions. We also benefit from the questions other people ask.” Each month a different doctor speaks on a field of

executor of your parent’s estate and distribute money to yourself or other heirs before paying off creditors, the creditors could sue you to get the money back.

‘Filial responsibility’ laws More than half of the states still have “filial responsibility” laws on the books that technically could require adult children to pay their impoverished parents’ bills, says estate and elder law attorney Letha McDowell of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. These laws are holdovers from a time when debtors prisons existed, says McDowell, who is president of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Their use has faded since the 1965 creation of Medicare and Medicaid. Filial responsibility statutes are rarely enforced, although in 2012, a nursing

expertise. In addition to crafting presentations and delivering them, the doctors stay online to field questions. Cathy Hamilton, who spearheads the Retirement Boot Camp series at the library, says the doctors go above and beyond to provide meaningful content. “Doctors are incredibly busy and under pressure these days, obviously. For them to give us that hour, plus the time spent preparing their presentations, is a real service,” Hamilton says. “We’ve even had a few provide their personal email addresses to attendees who might want to pose follow-up questions privately. That’s incredibly generous.” Hamilton says Gray Anatomy is one of the library’s most popular programs, attracting nearly 100 people per session monthly.

home chain used Pennsylvania’s law to successfully sue a son for his mother’s $93,000 bill. Some legal experts have predicted more such lawsuits as long-term care costs rise.

How creditors get paid If someone dies with more debt than assets, their estate is considered insolvent and state law typically determines the order in which the bills get paid. Legal and other fees for administering the estate are paid, as well as funeral and burial expenses. A temporary living allowance may be provided for dependent spouses and children, depending on state law. Secured debt such as mortgages or car loans must also be repaid or refinanced, or the lender can claim the property. Federal taxes and other federal debts have a high priority for repayment,

“It’s especially meaningful now since many people haven’t wanted to visit the doctor during the pandemic and preventative care is even more important,” Hamilton says. Gray Anatomy is hosted only via Zoom currently. Hamilton says they could include in-person attendance in the future, if the number of active COVID cases decreases. Gray Anatomy is held monthly, but not always on the same day. Typically sessions are at 4 p.m., the “sweet spot” for that demographic, says Hamilton, and are held on Tuesday or Thursday. Slater tries to attend the sessions when she’s able because she finds the content particularly germane to her life. “I know most people my age have had and/or dealt with the conditions presented in the

followed by state taxes and debts, Whitty says. If Medicaid paid for someone’s nursing home expenses, for example, the state can file a claim against the estate or a lien against the person’s home, McDowell says. Medicaid eligibility and recovery rules can be complex and vary by state, which is why it can help to consult an elder law attorney if a parent may need Medicaid to cover nursing home bills, McDowell says. The last debts to be paid include unsecured debt, such as credit card bills or personal loans. If there’s not enough money to pay those debts, the creditors get a share of whatever is left. Only after creditors are paid in full can any remaining assets be distributed to heirs.

even file a claim against an insolvent estate if there’s little hope they’ll collect, Whitty says. But that doesn’t mean they won’t ask surviving family members to pay. Legally, debt collection agencies are allowed to contact a surviving spouse or executor to request payment, and to contact relatives to ask how to reach a spouse or executor. But, collection agencies aren’t allowed to say that the debt is legally owed by a survivor if it isn’t, Whitty says. Of course, collection agencies aren’t known for always following the law. If you’re contacted by an unethical or abusive collector, consider filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. You can do that, and learn more about your rights under What to expect the Fair Debt Collection when collectors call Practices Act, at the CFPB Often, creditors won’t website.

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CATHY HAMILTON SPEARHEADS THE RETIREMENT BOOT CAMP SERIES at the Lawrence Public Library. library’s Zoom classes,” Slater 60, I’d guess over 75% of (us) says. “The majority of us attend- have dealt with and probably still ees are seniors, and being over do have related conditions.”

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HEALTH

LIVING

What the No Surprises Act means for your bills The provider can also bill you l You give written consent for what’s left after your insur- to give up your protections er pays its portion of the bill, a against balance billing. If you don’t give consent, they More Americans worry practice called “balance billing.” can’t bill you as out-of-network, about unexpected medical bills but they can refuse to treat you. than any other expense, accordWhat does the No “I really encourage patients ing to polls by the Kaiser FamiSurprises Act do? to think very, very carefully bely Foundation in 2018 and 2020. fore they waive their rights and Unfortunately, those bills Balance billing The No Surprises Act bans sign that form,” Kelmar says. aren’t rare: 18% of emergency visits and 16% of in-network balance billing for emergency “They have every right to ask hospital stays had at least one services and some nonemer- for an in-network provider. The hospital has to provide them out-of-network charge, a 2020 gency services. First, your insurance has to one. ... If they want to stay inPeterson-KFF Health System cover emergency services as network, they should not sign Tracker study found. The No Surprises Act, which in-network with no prior autho- the form.” bans most surprise medical rization. Balance billing isn’t al- Disputes over what you owe If you’re paying for services bills as of Jan. 1, could ease lowed for emergency care, even at out-of-network hospitals or yourself, you have the right to those worries. a good-faith cost estimate from “This law puts an end to the emergency departments. If you go to an in-network the provider. If a provider bills practice of charging patients exorbitant bills for unexpected, hospital or ambulatory surgical you $400 or more above that out-of-network care,” Sen. Pat- center for nonemergency care, estimate, you can challenge the ty Murray, chair of the Senate balance billing isn’t allowed for bill. If you’re using insurance, Health, Education, Labor and any of these ancillary services: l Anesthesiology, pathology, your insurer can tell you what’s Pensions Committee, said in an radiology or neonatology. covered and estimate your outemail. l Care from assistant of-pocket costs. If your insurer Here are answers to some hospitalists or denies a claim because it says common questions about the surgeons, intensivists. certain services aren’t covered, No Surprises Act and what it l Diagnostics like radiology you can dispute that decision. might mean for your finances. or laboratory services. Kelmar and U.S. PIRG l Any other item or service worked with the federal govWhat is a surprise from an out-of-network pro- ernment to set up what she calls medical bill? vider, if an in-network provider a “one-stop shop to go to with A surprise medical bill is a wasn’t available. any questions and complaints.” bill that you weren’t expecting You can’t waive or lose your You can call 800-985-3059 or from an out-of-network pro- protection against balance bill- visit CMS.gov for disputes or vider. They often arise when ing for emergency services or any other issues related to the you didn’t choose the doctor or ancillary services at in-network No Surprises Act. you didn’t know they weren’t in facilities. You only ever need to Arbitration between providers your network. pay your in-network copay, co- and insurers “You don’t control where insurance, or deductible. The No Surprises Act “prothe ambulance takes you for an Consent for vides insurance companies emergency treatment,” says Pa- out-of-network billing and health care providers a fair tricia Kelmar, health care camYou might want care from a process to resolve (out-of-netpaigns director for the United specific provider like an expert work) bills without additional States Public Interest Research in a specialized surgery, even if cost to patients,” said Murray, Group, or U.S. PIRG, a federa- they’re out-of-network. An out- a Democrat from Washington tion of state-based consumer of-network provider at an in- state. advocacy organizations. “You network facility can only send You don’t need to be indon’t control who’s giving you you a balance bill if all of these volved in negotiations or disanesthesia or doing your lab are true: putes between providers and work once you’re in a hospital l The provider isn’t on the your insurer. If they disagree — in your in-network hospital.” ancillary services list above. over a payment, they need to Insurers often require higher l They give you a plain- either work it out themselves or copays, coinsurance or deduct- language explanation of your use a new arbitration process. While patients aren’t directly ibles for out-of-network care. rights. By Alex Rosenberg

NerdWallet via AP

involved, “we really do care about how well arbitration works,” Kelmar says. “It was very important to us that there was a reasonable payment made to the provider that wouldn’t increase costs in the long run for our health plans — that we would then see passed on to us in our premiums in the future.”

What’s not covered by the No Surprises Act? The No Surprises Act doesn’t ban all surprise and out-of-network bills. Here are two important exceptions: l Ambulances: The act covers air ambulances, but not regular ground ambulances. l Facilities: The act applies to care provided in hospitals, emergency departments and ambulatory surgical centers. Other facilities like clinics and urgent care centers aren’t included but might be added later. These protections don’t apply to those who are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, Veterans Affairs Health Care or Indian Health Services because they’re already protected against surprise medical bills.

Will the No Surprises Act affect health care costs? “I worked hard to make sure the bill we passed would end surprise bills in a fair way that didn’t raise costs for patients in other ways like higher premiums,” Murray said. The No Surprises Act could achieve that goal, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, or CBO. Most health insurance premiums could fall by 0.5% to 1%, according to CBO estimates, so both patients and the government would pay slightly less to insurers.

Getting more joy out of giving By Liz Weston NerdWallet via AP

We may think spending money on ourselves will make us happier than spending it on someone else. That belief can make it hard to carve money out of our budgets to give to good causes. But research shows that spending money on others is more likely to make us happy. This seems to be a worldwide phenomenon, and one that applies whether we have a lot of money or only a little. “Generosity and happiness are pretty clearly linked in the research,” says Kristy Archuleta, a professor of financial planning at the University of Georgia. “When we are generous of our time, our talents, giving to others in whatever kind of capacity we can, we tend to be happier.” Some generous acts create more positive feelings than others, however. Here’s what to consider if you want to maximize your happiness while helping others.

Make it social Canadian social psychologist Lara Aknin determined that giving was most rewarding when it offered a social connection. Instead of sending someone a gift card to a restaurant, for example, we’ll feel happier if we take them out to dinner, Aknin says. Volunteering can also connect us with others, as can organizing or attending a fundraiser. Investigate your impact We also want to know that our giving matters. Being able to see or envision the change our contributions will make tends to increase our happiness, Aknin says. “The more information we have about the positive impact of our gifts, the greater the emotional rewards,” Aknin says. Emphasize choice Want to take the joy out of giving? Make it an obligation, Aknin says. For maximum happiness, people need to have a choice about whether to give, to whom and how much.

FILLING A

RETIREMENT

SAVINGS GAP

Are you on track to achieve your retirement savings goals? It’s important to establish a target savings amount and regularly make retirement plan contributions. It’s also vital to regularly check your progress so you know if you are on the right track. Should you determine that you are falling behind on your savings goals, it’s time to try to rectify the situation. Any or all of the following solutions can help you overcome a retirement savings gap:

#1 – BOOST YOUR SAVINGS

The ﬁrst option to make up for a retirement shortfall is to boost your savings. For example, if you set aside $200 more per month in your retirement accounts, that could add up to more than $63,000 in 15 years (assuming a 7% average annual return before fees and taxes). Find that money by reducing current living costs, particularly discretionary expenses.You may want to reﬁnance your mortgage to reduce house payments or transfer balances on high interest credit cards to lower your monthly payouts. Be sure to take full advantage of an employer’s matching contribution to a workplace retirement plan if you have access to one.

#2 – UPGRADE YOUR INVESTMENTS

For most people, time is on their side when investing retirement assets. This provides ﬂexibility to invest your money in a way that can generate a competitive return because you have time to overcome short-term market ﬂuctuations. If your savings isn’t generating the return you expected, you may want to reassess your holdings and seek out a combination of investments that have the potential to earn a higher return within your tolerance for risk.

#3 – MOVE YOUR RETIREMENT DATE

You can choose to take more time to meet your retirement savings goal. That might mean working longer than you initially expected and continuing to set money aside to close the savings gap. If you planned to retire in your 60s or earlier, you should have some room to maneuver.Assuming you are in good health, adding a year or two of work may be feasible.

#4 – ADJUST YOUR RETIREMENT EXPECTATIONS

If you are too close to retirement to make a signiﬁcant dent in your retirement savings gap, you may need to adjust lifestyle expectations when you are done working. Take a closer look at your retirement income needs and determine where you can cut back on discretionary expenses in the years to come.

LOOK FOR

Even if retirement is a long way off, you want to stay on top of your progress and make sure you are taking all of the steps you can to make your goals a reality.Talk to a ﬁnancial advisor to help you assess where you stand and what you can do to avoid or erase a savings gap.

Dan Cary, Certiﬁed Financial Planner™, is a Private Wealth Advisor with Dan Cary and Associates, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. in Lawrence, KS. He specializes in fee-based ﬁnancial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 28 years.To contact him, www.ameripriseadvisors.com/charles.d.cary/, or

Call 785-856-7111,1311 Wakarusa Drive,Suite 2121,Lawrence KS 66049.

Trish LaRue, CRPC® Financial Advisor Dan Cary and Associates

Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Investment products are not insured by the FDIC, NCUA or any federal agency, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any ﬁnancial institution, and involve investment risks including possible loss of principal and ﬂuctuation in value.Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2022 Ameriprise Financial, Inc.All rights reserved. C1-582707

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HEALTH

For some, retirement opens door to mental health crisis By Liz Weston NerdWallet via AP

Pamela Hixon of Leipsic, Ohio, was eager to retire from her job running a hospice agency. Soon after she quit, however, Hixon spiraled into depression and anxiety. She sought help from counselors and her pastor, but it wasn’t enough. Six months after retiring, she took her own life. “She lost purpose, she lost significance, she lost a sense of meaning in her life,” says her son Tony Hixon, a Findlay, Ohiobased wealth manager who wrote about the experience and how it transformed his financial planning practice in a book, “Retirement Stepping Stones: Find Meaning, Live with Purpose, and Leave a Legacy.” Overall, retirees are a contented bunch and many report being happier in retirement than they were at the end of their careers. Older adults are less likely than younger people to experience major depression, says Brent Forester, president of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry.

Builders CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1C

elderly customers didn’t want construction crews inside their homes, due to fear about COVID-19. As those fears eased, Dillon and Nuffer decided to partner with the TruBlue franchise because it provides a lot of value-added services.

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Getting depressed is not a normal part of aging. But one of the risk factors (for depression) is loss, and the loss of one’s professional identity ... is a big one.” — Brent Forester, American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry president

Nonetheless, retirement often involves significant losses — of identity, purpose, structure and social contacts — that can trigger depression and other psychiatric illnesses, says Forester, who also heads the geriatric psychiatry division at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts. “Getting depressed is not a normal part of aging,” Forester says. “But one of the risk factors (for depression) is loss, and the loss of one’s professional identity, the loss of one’s job, is a big one.”

through work, or they move to a new community after retirement. (Social isolation is another big risk factor for depression.) Substance abuse can cause problems for retirees, as well, Forester says. Some people may use their unstructured time to drink more or use drugs more often, and aging brains are much more sensitive to the adverse effects of these substances, he adds. People also have time to think about bigger questions of purpose and meaning, Hixon says. “The age-old question of ‘why am I here?’ can get crowded out by being busy,” Hixon says. “Upon retirement, you do have time, and that question can sometimes plague a person.”

Retiring can pose challenges Often, people are too busy working and raising families to develop interests that might offer structure and purpose in retirement, Forester says. Their social networks can disappear if Easing the transition they primarily made friends People may be Nuffer said TruBlue has supplier contracts with several specialty products, such as tub systems designed for people with mobility issues. Plus, the company has a background check system that every new employee must pass before they are allowed to go into a customer’s home. The company also promotes specialized training for employees. Both Dillon and Nuffer

are “certified agingin-place specialists” through the National Association of Home Builders. They’ve also been trained to give “Age Safe America” home assessments. The TruBlue system also is better set up to provide more routine maintenance services, in addition to the larger remodeling projects. “We can come out monthly or quarterly,

desperate to get away from workplace stressors — a bad boss, a too-heavy workload, a rigid schedule — that they don’t fully consider the benefits they get from working. Or they may be accustomed to viewing retirement as the finish line and don’t think deeply about what their day-to-day lives might look like without work. “Retirement is a transition, not a destination,” says psychologist and retirement coach Dorian Mintzer of Boston. “It’s very helpful to think about ‘what are you retiring to?’” Consider how you’ll spend your days and what might offer “a sense of connection, engagement, purpose and meaning,” says Mintzer, co-author of “The Couple’s Retirement Puzzle: 10 Must-Have Conversations for Creating an Amazing New Life Together.” That might include hobbies, volunteering or time with family, for example. Figure out what gives you joy as well as what new things you’d like to do or learn next. “What are some of the things you had to put on the back burner when you were

younger?” Mintzer asks. Part-time work is another option, she says. Reducing the hours you work can help alleviate burnout while allowing you more free time. Talking with a therapist, coach or sympathetic friend may ease the transition as well. “Get support from people. Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” Mintzer says.

Finding help Of course, many people are pushed into retirement earlier than they planned because of job loss, poor health or unexpected events such as the pandemic. People who retire involuntarily are often less satisfied with their lives and suffer from worse mental health than those who retire voluntarily. People experiencing financial strains — a common result of unexpected retirement — may be more vulnerable to depression and other mental health problems. Complicating matters further, the symptoms of depression and other mental health issues may be different in older adults, Forester says. Rather than

feeling sadness, for example, depressed older people may feel numb or anxious, have difficulty with memory or decisions, or suffer from otherwise unexplained physical complaints. If you’re concerned about your mental health, consider talking to your doctor. Depression and other mental health problems are medical conditions that typically can be treated with medication and therapy. If you’re concerned about a loved one, encourage them to seek medical treatment and to follow their treatment plan. You may need to help them make the initial appointments or accompany them to treatment, since lack of motivation and energy are common symptoms of depression. For help and more information, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. And if you’re considering retirement, make sure you have a life plan as well as a financial plan. “Just the act of planning can help you feel more in control and less anxious,” Mintzer says.

depending on their needs and wants,” Dillon said. “It might be just to change furnace filters, or maybe change light bulbs, if they aren’t comfortable getting on ladders anymore.” The company doesn’t plan on doing actual landscape services, like lawn mowing, but its regular visits might involve some chores like leaf raking or gutter cleaning, the pair said.

In addition to the retiree and senior markets, Dillon said he expected busy families to also be an important market for the business. As home prices increase, the idea of keeping your home properly maintained probably should increase too. “We tend to not maintain our homes like we should,” Dillon said. “We change our oil and wash our cars, and a car is something that loses

value. But with homes, we tend to ignore it until it becomes a really large bill.” The Lawrence-based business doesn’t have a retail storefront. Rather, it works with customers via phone or online. Details can be found at trubluehousecare.com/lawrence. Its service territory includes all of Douglas County and stretches into parts of western and southern Johnson County.

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