16 minute read
The need for faith
Golden Gazette • September 2021 • Page 19 The need for faith and spirituality along the caregiving journey
Caregiving can be a fulfilling, loving journey, but it is also one that is often filled with stress and anxiety.
Family caregivers may worry how they are physically and financially going to take care of their aging loved one. Older adults worry because their lives are changing, and they don’t want to be a burden to others.
In order to find strength and make the most of the caregiving journey, it’s important for family caregivers to find an outlet, said Dr. Lakelyn Hogan, Home Instead gerontologist and caregiver advocate, in a the webinar: Faith’s Role in the Caregiving Journey.
“For many people faith is that outlet,” Hogan said.
When discussing faith, religion and spirituality, it’s important to note they all speak to individualized beliefs. While many people belong to a faith community and find comfort in that experience, not everyone is religious. However; we all have a spiritual dimension that can be nourished through connections. Just as beliefs are deeply personal, the approach to incorporating these beliefs and activities is as unique as the person.
One Husband’s Caregiving Story
That was certainly true for devoted husband and father Carlen Maddux, when he became the primary caregiver after his wife’s early onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis at age 50. For five years, he managed the caregiving responsibilities and found ways to cope.
But eventually, the stress took a toll, and he looked to others—including a nun, a minister and a spiritual healer—for advice. After meeting with the healer, what eventually gave the couple peace was a faith and feeling of God’s presence that they found within themselves, said Rick Hamlin, executive editor of Guideposts magazine.
“In a course of several days through prayer, he had this incredible vision, and this is an amazing thing, of God’s tent,” Hamlin explained. “There was this tent just covering him and his wife and his family. And feeling that shelter, he held on to it.
“He found it was less difficult to do some of those chores with his wife. Whatever it was, that feeling of God’s presence was there. And getting her dressed in the morning, which sometimes could be a source of struggle, instilled confidence and trust that she could share or feel, even though the words weren’t shared.”
Just as Maddux’s faith helped him through the dementia caregiving journey, it’s important to note those living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia may lose the ability to initiate beloved spiritual activities. Care partners play a key role in supporting a loved ones’ faith and spiritual journey. Spirituality is not dependent on cognition.
Memory care expert and author of “The Best Friends Approach to Dementia Care,” David Troxel offers these tips to help find focused time for spiritual activities during the day.
How to incorporate faith & spirituality into daily caregiving
• Regularly attend or watch a religious service • Share or read prayers and scripture together • Sing or listen to hymns (music can have a dramatic impact for loved ones living with dementia) • Meditate and/or discuss important life events and accomplishments • Spend time outdoors connecting with nature
Positive effects of faith and spirituality
Whether it’s because we have seen friends and family who have passed or because we have more time to reflect, as we age, our faith and spirituality tend to grow stronger.
In fact, in a recent Religious Landscape Study, 70 percent of adults over age 65 said they believe in God with absolute certainty; the number drops to 51 percent in the 18-29 age group.
There are a variety of reasons why spirituality is so important, especially for caregivers and older adults.
Slows cognitive decline.
In studies, spirituality and religion appear to slow cognitive decline in older adults with dementia, and help people deal with their disease and have a better quality of life.
Improves physical health.
Studies have found that religious involvement is associated with less heart disease, hypertension, and mortality rates.
Helps develop coping strategies.
As in Maddux’s case, his faith was his way of coping with stress and the emotional demands of caregiving and gave him a renewed energy, which also positively affected his wife.
Provides a sense of community.
Especially for older adults who may feel socially isolated, faith provides them a way to feel connected, whether by physically attending services with others or simply by feeling connected and part of something bigger through prayer. - HomeInstead.com
What did mom need to know about dad before she married him? 1. His last name. 2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he do drugs? 3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?
Page 20 • September 2021 • Golden Gazette
About those Social Security Retirement Benefits
Social Security was originally intended to provide older Americans with continuing income after retirement. Today, though the scope of Social Security has been widened to include survivor, disability, and other benefits, retirement benefits are still the cornerstone of the program.
How do you qualify for retirement benefits?
When you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn Social Security credits. You can earn up to 4 credits each year. If you were born after 1928, you need 40 credits (10 years of work) to be eligible for retirement benefits.
How much will your retirement benefit be?
Your retirement benefit is based on your average earnings over your working career. Higher lifetime earnings result in higher benefits, so if you have some years of no earnings or low earnings, your benefit amount may be lower than if you had worked steadily. Your age at the time you start receiving benefits also affects your benefit amount. Although you can retire early at age 62, the longer you wait to retire (up to age 70), the higher your retirement benefit.
You can find out more about future Social Security benefits by signing up for any Social Security account at the Social Security website, ssa.gov, so that you can view your online Social Security Statement. Your statement contains a detailed record of your earnings, as well as estimates of retirement, survivor, and disability benefits.
If you’re not registered for an online account and are not yet receiving benefits, you’ll receive a statement in the mail every year, starting at age 60. You can also use the Retirement Estimator calculator on the Social Security website, as well as other benefit calculators that can help you estimate disability and survivor benefits.
Retiring at full retirement age
Your full retirement age depends on the year in which you were born.
If you were born on Jan. 1 of any year, refer to the previous year to determine your full retirement age.
If you retire at full retirement age, you’ll receive an unreduced retirement benefit.
Retiring early will reduce your benefit
You can begin receiving Social Security benefits before your full retirement age, as early as age 62. However, if you retire early, your Social Security benefit will be less than if you wait until your full retirement age to begin receiving benefits.
Your retirement benefit will be reduced by 5/9ths of 1 percent for every month between your retirement date and your full retirement age, up to 36 months, then by 5/12ths of 1 percent thereafter. For example, if your full retirement age is 67, you’ll receive about 30 percent less if you retire at age 62 than if you wait until age 67 to retire. This reduction is permanent — you won’t be eligible for a benefit increase once you reach full retirement age.
However, even though your monthly benefit will be less, you might receive the same or more total lifetime benefits as you would have had you waited until full retirement age to start collecting benefits. That’s because even though you’ll receive less per month, you might receive benefits over a longer period of time.
Delaying retirement will increase your benefit
For each month that you delay receiving Social Security retirement benefits past your full retirement age,
your benefit will increase by a certain percentage. This percentage varies depending on your year of birth. If you were born in 1943 or later, your benefit will increase 8 percent for each year that you delay receiving benefits, up until age 70. Working past your full retirement age has another benefit: It allows you to add years of earnings to your Social Security record. As a result, you may receive a higher benefit when you do retire, especially if your earnings are higher than in previous years. If you were born in: Your full retirement age is: 1943-1954 66 1955 66 and 2 months 1956 66 and 4 months 1957 66 and 6 months 1958 66 and 8 months 1959 66 and 10 months 1960 and later 67
Working may affect your retirement benefit
You can work and still receive Social Security retirement benefits, but the income you earn before you reach full retirement age may affect the amount of benefit that you receive. Here’s how: • If you’re under full retirement age: $1 in benefits will be deducted for every $2 in earnings you have above the annual limit • In the year you reach full retirement age: $1 in benefits will be deducted for
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every $3 you earn over the annual limit (a different limit applies here) until the month you reach full retirement age
Once you reach full retirement age, you can work and earn as much income as you want without reducing your Social Security retirement benefit. And keep in mind that if some of your benefits are withheld prior to your full retirement age, you’ll generally receive a higher monthly benefit at full retirement age, because after retirement age the SSA recalculates your benefit every year and gives you credit for those withheld earnings
Retirement benefits for qualified family
Even if your spouse has never worked outside your home or in a job covered by Social Security, he or she may be eligible for spousal benefits based on your Social Security earnings record. Other members of your family may also be eligible. Retirement benefits are generally paid to family members who relied on your income for financial support. If you’re receiving retirement benefits, the members of your family who may be eligible for family benefits include: • Your spouse age 62 or
Retirement benefits (Continued from Page 20) older, if married at least one year • Your former spouse age 62 or older, if you were married at least 10 years • Your spouse or former spouse at any age, if caring for your child who is under age 16 or disabled • Your unmarried child under age 18 • Your unmarried child under age 19 if a full-time student (through grade 12) or over age 18 and disabled if disability began before age 22 Your eligible family members will receive a monthly benefit that is as much as 50 percent of your benefit. However, the amount that can be paid each month to a family is limited. The total benefit that your family can receive based on your earnings record is about 150 to 180 percent of your full retirement benefit amount. If the total family benefit exceeds this limit, each family member’s benefit will be reduced proportionately. Your benefit won’t be affected.
The SSA recommends that you apply three months before you want your benefits to start. To apply, fill out an application on the 100 years ago everyone SSA website, call the SSA owned a horse, and only the rich had cars. Today, everyone has a car, and only at 800-772-1213, or make an appointment at your local the rich have horses. Oh, SSA office. how the stables have turned. Source: Zach Holtzman
Don’t throw that out!
5 common items worth more than you think
Are there priceless items in your cupboards and closets? The answer could be yes!
From priceless paintings to retro comics, you could have more money in your home than you think. Experts at Mental Floss remind readers to find treasure in “collectibles of any kind” and even consider taking a second look at those dusty old toys and sickeningly retro Pyrex casserole dishes your grandmother used to warm up meatloaf in. Those things may just bring in hundreds of dollars.
If you are ready to sort the gems from the junk in your home, here is a list of 5 commonly uncommon items worth a second look before they’re tossed in the trash.
Vinyl records
What’s old is spinning around to make a comeback, especially when it comes to vinyl records. Your vinyl collection could be worth thousands in the right condition. Music historians at loudersound.com say the range of what the records are worth falls in two categories “some have an evergreen value, while other valuable vinyl records fluctuate in price depending on buying trends, band anniversaries, and other notable events, including the death of an artist.”
Board games
Check your closets and attics for board games that could give your bank account a boost. Personal finance expert Cynthia Measom mentioned some sets are worth close to $1,000 or more. A still-sealed 1974 anniversary edition of Monopoly was valued just under $2,500, and in 2011 a craftsman created a gold-plated Monopoly board and set valued more than $2 million, according to Smithsonian Magazine.
Books and cookbooks
Don’t judge your books by the cover. Take a closer look at your book collection to see if it includes valuable items worth more than you expect. Interior design expert John Linden said, “A first-edition copy of James Joyce’s Ulysses, for example, is valued at around $8,000.” If there are vintage cookbooks in the mix with your book collection, they could also be worth more than expected, even if they are well used.
Lunch boxes
If you still have your daughter or son’s elementary school lunch boxes in the cabinet, keep an eye out for items that may be worth more than you expect. Selfproclaimed history and sci-fi nerd Alex Daniel wrote, very few “items encapsulate the pop culture obsessions of their era better than lunch boxes.” The value on these small unique time capsules can jump in value over time. Surprising items like “a Jetsons 1963 lunch box can pull in $1,650 these days, while a rare 1954 Superman box can be worth as much as $16,000.”
Tools
Before you replace your tool set or that of a loved one, check to see if the old set is a classic coveted by collectors. Experts at BestLife.com say “classic tools fetch a pretty impressive price, and that’s especially true of a few particularly high-value items. For example, a Chaplin No. 1 plane recently went for $7,700, while a rare John Deere Wrench (of which just 100 were made) sold for $16,500.”
As you clean your attic and closet storage, remember to open old boxes especially those that haven’t been opened from move-to-move. If tackling the attic feels like a daunting task, consider hiring experts like Caring Transitions that can help you clear and declutter your space in addition to finding a happy home for hidden gem valuable items with tools like CTBIDS. - CaringTransitions.com
The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes.
– William James
Covenant Medical Group cardiologists Dr. Jason Strefl ing and Dr. Mohammad Otahbachi have moved their clinic to a free-standing location on 21st Street.
2 cardiologists move to new location
To make visits easier on patients, Covenant Medical Group cardiologists Dr. Mohammad Otahbachi and Dr. Jason Strefl ing have moved their clinic out of Covenant Medical Center to a free-standing clinic close by.
The new clinic offi ce is on 21st Street between Memphis Avenue and Louisville Avenue. The free-standing clinic will allow for more convenient parking and easier access for patients.
Telephone and fax numbers for both physicians will remain the same:
Dr. Mohammad Otahbachi, M.D. – phone 806-725-1801, fax 806-723-7535
Dr. Jason Strefl ing, M.D. – phone 806-725-1801, fax 806725-1922.
The remaining Covenant Medical Group cardiologists, Dr. Kyler Barkley, Dr. Marc Levine, Dr. James Moss, Dr. Paul Walter, and Dr. John Zias will remain in the clinic on the 2nd fl oor of the Heart Center of Covenant Medical Center.
There are so many times when we need our children more than they need us. They have no clue what they truly do for our soul.
Funding by the Newby Family “Hungry? What to eat?
AllisonChildress,PhD,RDN,CSSD,LD Asst. Prof.,TexasTech University Discussion will address what to eat as we age.
