Senior Living by Discover Hawkins County

Senior Living

December 8, 2018 A special publication of

THE ROGERSVILLE

REVIEW

2 • Senior Living • December 8, 2018 | The Rogersville Review

Living Your Best Life You should definitely take time for all the relaxing you want, then find ways to fill those hours and allow you to enjoy your post-work life. MarketWatch has a few suggestions for making the most of your senior years.

mericans dream of retirement — time to finally do gardening or projects or take trips. We imagine retirement offering all the opportunities working 40 hours a week detracts from.

he program, started in 1975 as Elderhostel, offers more than 5,500 learning adventures, taking scholars on trips to 150 countries throughout the world, with the aim of educating, introducing people to each other and to different cultures. These trips are planned with different levels of fitness, finances and experience in mind, with the organization planning the itineraries. Each trip is staffed by faculty experts who take scholars to the usual and not-so-usual attractions of a city or region and let them experience the food, history, customs and lifestyle. Trips are available for solo travelers, couples or groups, and the cost includes lodging, many meals, gratuities and group transportation. On

looking for volunteers. You could even use your expertise acquired from working to help out a small business.

FIND (OR REDISCOVER) A NEW SPORT OR HOBBY

A pickup basketball game after a long day of work when you work at GET A JOB OR VOLUNTEER home can be exhausting. A pickup OK, maybe this isn’t your first game without that long day of stop. But a post-retirement job work can be energizing and a lot of may give you the opportunity to try fun. Learn to golf, go fishing or something new and perhaps less boating, play tennis, go biking, join stressful, or working a part-time a team (check out the National position in something fun. It also Senior Games Association if you provides additional income, which want some real competition) or many Americans would benefit reacquaint yourself with the local from during their retirement years. gym or hiking or walking trails. Volunteering also is a great way Regardless of your level of fitness, to be involved in your community. you can find some sport or exercise Libraries, schools, museums, that fits. hospitals and nonprofits are always Retirement is also a great time to

Become a Road Scholar

find a new hobby. If you’ve always been interested in cooking but never had much time to experiment, now you do. Take up gardening, learn to play the piano, take dance lessons or take up painting.

TRAVEL

These might be trips to Europe, Asia or Australia; or weekend trips to the local national parks, the cities around you, or visiting friends and family throughout the country. It could even be packing up a camper and driving the country, exploring the nooks and crannies of the United States that tourists often overlook. Why not use the freedom of retirement to scratch the travel itch? u

Journeys, which allow you to take your grandchildren with you to swim with sea life in Mexico, go etired and ready for your next adventure? Look no back in time at Colonial further than Road Scholar, a nonprofit organization Williamsburg or explore the many that offers travel, educational opportunities and other facets of Paris. There are trips experiences for seniors. suitable for children as young as 4 years old. international trips, the organization to home or take a less expensive Of course, not everyone has room takes care of airfare as well. trip, learn about the ecology of the in their budget for an extended trip. If you’re ready to explore the Channel Islands National Park off There is financial aid available; world, Road Scholar offers nature the coast of California or go on a Road Scholar offers scholarships to hikes through Costa Rica, a five-day rejuvenation retreat. people who want to go on an maritime journey in Croatia and Want to explore a little further? adventure but cannot afford to. The Slovenia, or hiking through the Trips include time for independent organization also has caregiver Canadian Rockies or Cinque Terre, exploration or optional learning grants to help those who are caring Italy. For the more historically adventures that you can add to your for a sick, disabled or elderly family minded, explore the Caribbean itinerary. member pay the costs of arranging island of Martinique or visit Cuba or Or, if you want to make Road substitute care. the Chesapeake Islands in Scholar an intergenerational For more information, visit www. Maryland. If you want to stay closer experience, check out Grandparent roadscholar.org.

The Rogersville Review | Senior Living • December 8, 2018 3

Ready to Downsize? A

three-bedroom, two-bathroom ranch house with a sprawling yard makes sense for families with kids and a dog and bikes and extra cars.

the questions to ask yourself and priorities to consider as you’re looking for a new place.

CONSIDER WHAT YOU WANT

Do you just want a smaller space? Or is locating closer to amenities or in a certain area your top priority? You may want to consider a townhouse or condominium or other property with a For empty-nesters, though, homeowner’s association to lessthat big, beautiful house often just en the amount of upkeep you’re becomes a list of Saturday mornresponsible for. If you want to ing chores — mowing the yard, spend less on a mortgage, you cleaning more bathrooms than may have to compromise on locayou use on a regular basis and tion or amenities. Knowing what’s vacuuming bedrooms that no one most important will make shopis sleeping in but are filled up with ping easier. old belongings you think about getting rid of but haven’t. CONSIDER YOUR TIMELINE Retirement offers a good If you’ve been in the same opportunity to downsize the house for 30 years, you’ve likely house into something more man- accumulated 30 years of stuff. ageable and less expensive. Give yourself a reasonable timeKiplinger talked to experts about line to pack, purge and clean your

Healthy Living EAT RIGHT, EAT SMART

The AARP actually suggests eating like you have diabetes — don’t eat after 7 p.m.; get rid of the bottom bun when eating hamburgers or other sandwiches; keep nuts in your bag or glove compartment so you have

house to get it ready for sale. You should also look at the real estate market in your area and the area to which you’re relocating. If you hit a market slump, it could be worth waiting to see if the value of your home will increase. Talk to a Realtor about what you can reasonably expect to get for your home and how much it will cost you to sell and then buy a new home.

ADULT COMMUNITIES

Active-adult or continuing-care retirement communities may be the right step. These offer lots of amenities and more of a community feel. CCRCs provide assisted living and skilled-nursing facilities. These offer different payment methods, such as simply paying for rent and then paying out-ofpocket for other care as needed or contracts with an upfront fee for lifetime care.

taying healthy and sharp as you get older will contribute to living a longer, more fulfilling life. While many of the habits that keep you healthier in your earlier decades will continue to serve you well as you get older, seniors need to be careful with high-impact exercises and should be aware of different risks.

something healthy to snack; use mashed avocado in place of mayonnaise on sandwiches and use whole wheat bread; and replace noodles with quinoa or barley. Talk to your doctor about the number of calories you should be eating daily.

FIND THE RIGHT EXERCISES tai chi — a form of martial arts that

As long as you’re able to do it, brisk walking remains a great way to burn calories, get your heart rate up and keep your muscles and joints active. It’s not the only exercise that’s low impact and good for seniors, though. AARP suggests

combines slow, graceful movements and meditation that been connected to a variety of health and fitness benefits. The biggest of those benefits is the exercise’s ability to improve

Continued on page 4

4 • Senior Living • December 8, 2018 | The Rogersville Review From page 4

Amedisys Home Health Care and Hospice

Rogersville

balance and prevent falls. A 2015 study also found tai chi can help seniors avoid osteoarthritis. Tai chi, as with all exercise, can help reduce stress as well as give you more energy for the rest of your activities.

KEEP YOUR BRAIN SHARP

Memory slowing down is a normal effect of age. According to Healthbeat, a publication of Harvard Medical School, using the brain is critical to keep your memory sharp. Use all of your senses; repeat or write down information you want to retain; continue learning, either through classes, books, online programs, going to museums or joining a book club; or make a mnemonic device to help you remember things.

WORK WITH YOUR DOCTOR

As you age, your risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia increases, as does the risk for cancer, arthritis and many other conditions. Talk to your doctor about changes in your body or symptoms related to depression or other mental conditions.

medisys Home Health celebrated National Home Care and Hospice month in November 2018 with a staff luncheon showing appreciation for the excellent care they show patients every day. Throughout the month, communities everywhere recognized the nurses, therapists, social workers, home care aides and others who make a remarkable difference for patients and their families. Here at Amedisys, we will also celebrate the outstanding work we do each and every day. We also recognized Home Care Aide Week, November 14-20. We appreciate our HHA for their personal warmth to the daily work of giving personal care. Thanks to the expert care we provide, seniors are now better prepared than ever to age in place — at home, where they most want to be — for as long as possible. Thank you for all you do — every single day. This is a great time to give thanks to all the home care staff for all they do each and every day to help homebound patients and their families. Especially at this holiday season, the chance to be with family and friends in the comfort of home is a special gift.

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The Rogersville Review | Senior Living • December 8, 2018 5

Get Paperwork in Order

lanning for their own death is no one’s favorite activity, but having the right paperwork and information in the right hands can make a difficult time somewhat easier for family members and the executor of your estate.

deeds to property but also account information for every bank account, including retirement accounts; insurance information; copies of Medicare and health insurance cards; information for safe deposit boxes; military records; living wills and other items. Make sure family members know where to find these.

decisions or make them known. You can state what kind of care you do or don’t want, such as how much treatment you want in the event of a terminal illness or if you want to be resuscitated. This will help your wishes be carried out and make the decision easier for family members faced with difficult decisions.

wills, trusts and advance directives like a power of attorney.

TALK TO YOUR FAMILY

Make sure someone knows where paperwork is kept and what you want with health care. This is also a good time to discuss potential funeral plans, including costs (many funeral homes will allow you to pay funeral costs with The National Institute of Aging MAKE A WILL, TALK TO YOUR life insurance, which decreases the offered a number of factors to INCLUDING A LIVING WILL LAWYER AND DOCTOR financial stress of a death), and think about, some of which most of Regardless of how many assets To make things easier, talk to take steps to allow a trusted us probably haven’t considered. you have, you should have a will. your doctor about what you would person to have access to your This allows you to designate the like to have happen with end-ofassets. You may want to put a COLLECT YOUR person you want your property to life decisions and give them family member on one or more of IMPORTANT PAPERS go after your death. permission to share information your bank accounts, which will AND PUT IN ONE PLACE A living will lays out your with a family member. Make sure allow them to have access after Important papers include birth desires for health care if you your legal documents are up to your death. If not, those assets certificates, passports, wills and become too sick to make your own date; have your lawyer look over may be frozen for a time.

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6 • Senior Living • December 8, 2018 | The Rogersville Review

Social Security Basics M

ost Americans who work pay into Social Security, which is designed to help people save for retirement. The payment is automatic, but applying for benefits takes some time and effort — and lots of paperwork.

The U.S. Social Security Administration’s website, www.ssa. gov, has a retirement estimator that helps users estimate their monthly benefits, learn their full retirement age and make informed decisions about the process.

WHEN SHOULD I GET SOCIAL SECURITY?

Workers who have paid into Social Security can get retirement benefits as early as 62 years old, but they will see reduced benefits if they cash in before full retirement age, which for most people is 66. Waiting until 70 to start benefits will result in increased benefits. The SSA recommends applying for benefits four months before you want those benefits to begin. You may want to do this even if

you are still working when you reach full retirement age; it could mean more money for you. If earnings for the prior year are higher than one of the years used to compute your benefit, the SSA will redo that calculation and make the increase retroactive to January the year after you earned the higher way. This could result in higher survivors benefits as well. If you receive benefits while working, the amount you get may be reduced depending on your income.

WHAT PAPERWORK DO I NEED?

To apply, you need your Social Security number, birth certificate, W-2 forms or self-employment returns for the previous year, military discharge papers, if

applicable, and birth certificates and Social Security numbers for your spouse and children who are applying for benefits. The need for records doesn’t end when you’re receiving your benefits. Notify the SSA if you move, get married or divorced, change your name, adopt a child, have a change in citizenship status or start receiving a pension.

WHAT BENEFITS CAN MY FAMILY GET?

they may receive a monthly payment up to half of your full retirement benefit. This will not cut your benefit amount. Children may qualify if they are minors, full-time high school students who are 18 or 19 or have a disability that started before age 22. Spouses who have not paid into Social Security also may be eligible if they have reached full retirement age.

If your spouse or child qualify,

Discounts Available to the Over 50 Crowd

MOVIE TICKETS: While film lovers may need to wait until they turn 60 to cash in on discount movie tickets, many chain movie theaters offer discounted tickets to older patrons. TRAVEL: Men and women over 50 may be able to save substantial amounts of money on travel simply by typing in their birthdays when purchasing tickets or

planning trips. For example, men and women over the age of 62 are eligible to receive a 15 percent discount on the lowest available rail fare on most Amtrak trains.

AUTO RENTALS: AARP members are eligible to save on base rates for vehicle rentals at Avis. AMAC (Association of Mature American Citizens) offers price matching and discounted rates on premium

car and truck rentals.

both food and beverages.

DINING: Of course, many restaurants offer early bird specials for patrons who want to eat a little bit earlier than guests typically arrive for dinner. However, many chain restaurants also offer discounts to senior diners regardless of when they arrive. Such discounts are sometimes even applicable to

MOBILE PHONE SERVICES: Men and women over 50 may not have grown up with smartphones in their hands, but chances are they now cannot imagine life without them. Some mobile providers offer discounts to AARP members, while others may offer senior discounts to customers whether they’re AARP members or not.

The Rogersville Review | Senior Living • December 8, 2018 7

What to Know About Medicare

edicare is a federal health insurance plan that working Americans pay into through payroll taxes. It is a valuable benefit, as most Americans’ health insurance is tied to their jobs, thus leaving a hole when workers retire, but enrolling in and navigating the program can be a daunting task.

HOW TO SIGN UP

Even after paying payroll taxes and turning 65, most Americans still must apply for Medicare. The initial enrollment period lasts for seven months, with the fourth month being the month you turn 65. You should sign up during this period if you have no other health insurance or have insurance you bought yourself; you have retiree benefits from a former employer; you have COBRA coverage or veterans’ The AARP has a Medicare benefits; or you’re in a nonQuestion and Answer Tool to marital relationship and covered © ADOBE STOCK walk people through the plans by their insurance. If you enroll Medicare offers, what health care • Part B (medical): Helps pay credits through paying Medicare before your 65th birthday; your coverage you need and can coverage begins on the first day for doctors, outpatient and payroll taxes, you won’t pay afford, and the timeline you if the month you turn 65. If you monthly premiums for Part A should expect as you are signing preventive care and certain enroll after, there is a delay. medical equipment. insurance. Work credits aren’t up. A special enrollment period is • Part C (Medicare necessary for Part B or D BASICS OF MEDICARE available for people who have Advantage): An alternative services, though there is a At age 65, Americans are health insurance past the initial coverage option that puts all monthly premium for those. eligible for Medicare. There are period and allows them to delay your Medicare benefits into Like traditional health four parts: enrolling in Part B until their one plan. insurance, Medicare does not • Part A (hospital): Helps pay • Part D: Helps cover the cost cover all health care costs. Plans previous coverage ends. There for the cost of hospital stays also are exceptions for of outpatient prescription have different deductibles, and time in short-term skilled expatriates or people who are drugs. premiums and copays. Your nursing facilities, hospice and If you or your spouse have income also may be a factor on covered through a spouse’s home health services. insurance. earned a minimum of 40 work how much you pay.

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8 • Senior Living • December 8, 2018 | The Rogersville Review