Life Pla ing Guide
Understanding the staff: the roles and support systems in retirement homes
Retirement homes and assisted living facilities provide a safe and supportive environment for seniors, allowing them to live independent and fulfilling lives. What exactly goes on behind the scenes to ensure this? Here are some of the critical roles of retirement home staff:
• Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are frontline heroes. They assist residents with daily tasks like bathing, dressing and medication management. They also monitor residents’ health and report any changes to nurses.
• Housekeeping staff maintain the cleanliness and sanitation of the facility, ensuring a comfortable and healthy environment.
• Dining services staff prepare and serve nutritious meals, catering to residents’ dietary needs and preferences.
• Maintenance staff handle repairs and maintenance of the building and grounds, ensuring the facility’s safety and functionality.
• Specialized Alzheimer, Dementia and End of Life Care
• Registered Nurse available 24 hrs a day
• Daily menus and specialized diets by registered dietitian.
• Beauty Salon and many more amenities
• Family owned and operated providing Elderly Care in the Valley since 1987
• Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Registered Nurses (RNs) oversee resident care, administer medications, manage medical conditions and collaborate with physicians.
• Activity directors plan and organize engaging activities to promote social interaction, physical fitness and cognitive stimulation.
• Administrative staff manage the facility’s day-to-day operations, handling admissions, finances and resident care coordination.
This team of dedicated professionals works together to ensure residents live with dignity and independence
5 essential ESTATE PLANNING documents you need as a senior
and ensure their wishes are respected. Here are five vital estate planning documents you should have:
1. Last will and testament. Your will dictates how your assets and property are distributed after your death. Local laws determine asset distribution without a will, potentially conflicting with what you want.
2. Living will (advance health care directive). Your living will outlines your medical treatment preferences if you become incapacitated. It covers decisions on life sustaining
healthcare providers and loved ones.
3. Financial power of attorney. This document appoints a trusted individual to manage your financial affairs if you cannot do so. It ensures bills are paid, investments are managed and financial obligations are met in your absence.
4. Beneficiary designations. These designate individuals who will receive specific assets, such as retirement accounts or life insurance proceeds, upon your death. Keeping beneficiary designations current ensures
the probate process.
5. Revocable living trust. You transfer ownership of assets to the trust while alive, avoiding probate upon your death. Trust terms specify asset distribution,
Seek guidance from legal and financial professionals to help you create a comprehensive estate plan tailored to your needs.
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How to get your affairs in order: advance care planning
If you become sick or disabled, you may be unable to make health care, financial and legal decisions on your own. That’s why planning is crucial in preparing for the future. Here are a few things you can do to prepare for a medical emergency.
Start Now
Give Permission
Give your doctor and lawyer permission to speak with a designated caregiver in an emergency. Furthermore, arrange with your bank to give a trusted friend or family member access to your safety deposit box.
Plan Your Funeral
Arrange and pre-pay for your funeral, burial or cremation to reduce anxiety and the burden and cost for loved ones.
Don’t wait to talk to loved ones about your wishes. Start now and have these discussions while they can help you make decisions. Appoint a power of attorney or health care proxy and ensure they agree to their roles and know your directives.
Put Everything In One Place
Put all your important papers in one place, including your will, trusts, health care directives, financial records and contact information for your lawyers, doctors and financial advisers. Whether these documents are at home or in a safety deposit box, tell someone you trust where everything is.
Update Your Records
Go through your documents and make any necessary updates. Do this once a year or whenever you experience a significant life change, such as moving to a new home.
Even if you’re not sick now, it’s crucial to gather as much information as possible and prepare to make things easier for everyone in an emergency.
3 ways to maintain family connections in retirement home life
Sustaining family connections is essential for the emotional wellbeing of seniors living in retirement homes. Here are three strategies that families can employ to maintain strong bonds during retirement home living:
1. Foster face-to-face connections. Regular inperson visits are the best way to maintain family connections in retirement homes. Scheduling consistent family gatherings at the facility gives seniors a sense of be longing and strengthens familial ties.
2. Embrace technology. Virtual calls, video chats and social media platforms are invaluable tools for families separated by geographical distances. These digital interactions enable seniors to share experiences, receive updates and stay connected.
If your loved one is uncomfortable with technology, staff members can help set up video calls or create social media and email accounts. Alternatively, a handwritten letter or card signed by multiple family members can also brighten a senior’s day.
3. Participate in events. Encouraging family members to participate in events hosted by the retirement home is a proactive way to enhance a senior’s social life. Attending celebrations, workshops and recreational activities together makes them more meaningful for the seniors.
By combining these strategies, families can maintain ties, ensuring that their loved ones in retirement homes lead enriched, engaged and connected lives.
One thing we hear constantly is how much our residents enjoy our food! At Evergreen Estates we provide three meals a day so you don’t have to do the grocery shopping, cooking, or cleaning afterward. Invite your family to join, we would love to see them!
Eachof our residents are free to enjoy a worry-free lifestyle, because we provide the necessities. Things like housekeeping, laundry services, and group activities are all included in the monthly rent! Plus, we’re located on TriState Health’s campus. So come by and take a look around!
Filing taxes last minute can be a stressful task, and the rush to meet the deadline often leads to common mistakes that can cost you time, money and peace of mind. Be aware of these common errors to ensure a smooth last minute tax filing process:
• INCOMPLETE INFORMATION. Rushing through tax preparation can result in missing crucial information, such as forgotten deductions or credits.
• FORGETTING TO SIGN. Failing to sign your tax return can result in it being rejected. Ensure you’ve signed and dated all necessary documents.
• FILING UNDER THE WRONG STATUS
Choosing the wrong filing status can affect your tax liability. Make sure you select the correct one, such as single or married, BASED ON YOUR SITUATION.
Filing taxes last minute: common mistakes to watch out for a
• IGNORING E-FILE OPTIONS. Electronic filing is fast and secure and reduces the risk of errors compared to paper filing. Opt for e-filing to save time and ensure your return reaches the CRA on time.
• MISSING THE DEADLINE. Filing late can result in penalties and interest. If you can’t meet the deadline, file for an extension.
• NEGLECTING DOCUMENTATION. Keep records of all tax-related documents and receipts for deductions. This ensures accuracy and helps in case of an audit.
• NOT SEEKING PROFESSIONAL HELP. If your tax situation is complex or you’re unsure about deductions, credits or changes in the tax code, consider seeking assistance from a tax professional.
smooth and accurate
The deadline to file your taxes is April 30. Avoid the stress of filing taxes at the last minute and contact a local professional tax services company to ensure a smooth and accurate process
Thinking of switching financial institutions?
Are you feeling dissatisfied with your current financial institution and considering moving your money elsewhere? If so, consider these factors before making your next move.
YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION
Before making any changes, assess your finances. If you have substantial assets, you’ll be in a better position to negotiate attractive deals with a new finan cial institution. It’s also crucial not to overlook the importance of your credit rating. If your credit score has declined in the past few years, it could impact the benefits you’re eligible for with a new institution.
THE COMPLEXITY OF THE PROCESS
The idea of switching to a new bank may be appealing for the prospect of better interest rates, waived transaction fees and enticing rewards programs. However, changing over isn’t a quick and easy task. You’ll have to notify your employer, the government, your service providers, creditors and anyone else who automatically deposits or withdraws money from your account.
POTENTIAL FEES
Some banks charge fees and withhold taxes when they release funds to be transferred. The amounts vary based on the nature of your accounts (whether they’re investments or savings accounts, for example). Keep a few hundred dollars as a buffer in each of your accounts so you
have enough to cover any preauthorized payments you may have overlooked. Defaulting on payments could result in penalties, so it’s important to stay on top of your financial commitments.
Once your move is complete, be sure to close your old accounts. Many institutions charge fees for inactive accounts, so it’s best to tie up loose ends.
ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS
If switching financial institutions seems too tedious, there are other ways to improve your satisfaction with your financial services. For example, you can speak up about your dissatisfaction with your current institution. By expressing your willingness to switch institutions, you could negotiate better terms or a more attractive transaction package. Your feedback can make a real difference.
Tip: Before starting a conversation with your financial institution, review the fees associated with each of your accounts. These fees could be silently eating away at your money, adding up to hundreds of dollars a year. Don’t be afraid to negotiate!
Consider doing business with more than one institution. You
could keep your current accounts with one and let another handle your investments. This way, you might snag advantageous rates without having to completely switch everything around.
Do you need help finding a new institution or renegotiating with your current one? Contact a financial expert in your area.
Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home & Crematory
Thinking of Pre-planning Your Funeral or Cremation -Ensures your wishes are met.
-Pre-plan in person, by phone, or online.
-Prepayment guarantees the cost of services and merchandise at today’s price. 920 21st Ave., Lewiston • 208-743-6541 • 800-584-8812 www.vassar-rawls.com
Dennis Hastings
