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Aging

How Older Baby Boomers Want to Live

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

We’ve all read that the aging boomers want to stay at home as long as possible, and that stills hold true. However, LeadingAge, a non-profit global organization whose mission is to be the trusted voice for aging adults, has found some interesting data about the segment and where they would like to be when and if a physical or cognitive disability should occur.

LeadingAge, through NORC, conducted a survey of older baby boomers to gather insights into how they think about their quality of life if they become physically disabled or cognitively impaired and need long-term services and supports. LTSS includes services that help a person get through a normal day, things like getting out of bed, bathing, eating, toileting, moving around, etc.

They surveyed older boomers to imagine they had a physical or cognitive impairment and needed help. Then we posed questions like: What would be important to them? Where would they want to live? Who would they be comfortable receiving help from?

Asked what would be important if they were in a position of needing help with daily activities, being safe was ranked the most important consideration, higher even than being around family or friends.

The study found that 40% said they would want to live somewhere other than their current home or apartment if they had a physical disability that required them to need help with daily activities. Most earlier studies and surveys report that the majority (76% or more) of adults say they want to stay in their own home. These earlier studies do not target older baby boomers and they do not ask for separate responses depending on whether the impairment is physical or cognitive.

Survey Responses

If help with basic daily living activities is needed, on a scale of 1-10 (10 is most important), how important is it to do the following:

  • Be safe – 9.5
  • Be around family – 8.9
  • Have access to the outdoors – 8.8
  • Be around friends – 8.7
  • Be physically active – 8.6
  • Live in your own home – 8.5
  • Get out on a daily basis – 7.9
  • Have meaningful social activities – 7.8
  • Live in your current community – 7.7
  • Practice my religion – 7.5
  • Make a difference – 6.9
  • Travel – 6.6
  • Work – 5.1

 

The findings touch lightly on the differences among the older boomers who responded based on income, sex, and age. In the coming months, LeadingAge will be reporting on the findings in more detail and further analyzing their implications for this important aspect of being ready for an aging America.

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Housing Tips

Understanding Reverse Mortgages

by Kylie Johnson
written by Kylie Johnson

3 Types of Reverse Mortgages:

1. Home equity conversion mortgages

A home equity conversion mortgage or HECM (pronounced “heck ‘em”) is the only type of reverse mortgage that’s backed by the Federal Housing Authority. Available through FHA-approved lenders, HECM reverse mortgages are the most common type of reverse mortgages. HECM loans give borrowers the largest amount of money; upper limits are based on the borrower’s age and the amount of equity he or she has in the home. With a HECM, the borrower continues to pay insurance premiums. Borrowers can use the money from a HECM for any purpose they wish.

On the other hand, a HECM for Purchase is a similar type of loan that leverages the borrower’s old equity to finance a new house. HECM for Purchase loans do not require monthly mortgage payments, but they do require that you keep up with mortgage insurance premiums and property taxes. Common reasons to consider a HECM for purchase loan include downsizing into a smaller home, moving closer to friends or family and transitioning into a retirement community.

2. Proprietary reverse mortgages

Private lending companies sometimes offer proprietary reverse mortgages. Proprietary reverse mortgage loans can provide a larger payout than HECMs since they are not beholden to FHA regulations, but they also tend to be more expensive since they are not insured by a government agency. Proprietary reverse mortgage lenders do still require a financial evaluation and credit counseling. Homeowners seeking a reverse mortgage would consider a proprietary reverse mortgage if their home isn’t up to FHA codes or if their homes are currently worth more than $1 million.

Reverse mortgages that aren’t insured by the government aren’t beholden to as strict of regulations, for better or worse. Some financial institutions are able to extend certain proprietary reverse mortgage products to homeowners as young as 60, but those fees won’t be as regulated or capped by a government agency.

3. Single-purpose reverse mortgages

Also referred to as a property-tax deferral program or deferred payment loans, single-purpose reverse mortgage loans are available to eligible homeowners who need to take out a one-time lump sum against their equity. Single-purpose reverse mortgage lenders usually don’t charge origination fees and closing costs are minimal, which is good since most people take out single-purpose reverse mortgages out of desperation.

Unlike HECM and proprietary reverse mortgage loans, which can be used for anything, funds acquired through single-purpose reverse mortgages must be used for a lender-approved expense, most typically to pay property taxes or to make a crucial home repair. Like other reverse mortgage programs, the loan is due when you sell the property, pass away or stop paying homeowner’s insurance.

Answering Common Questions about Reverse Mortgages:

How much money do you get from a reverse mortgage?

The initial principal limit, or total amount, that you’ll be able to borrow against your home through any reverse mortgage is determined primarily by the value of your home, your age and current interest rates. The maximum loan amount anyone can access through a reverse mortgage is capped by the FHA at $726,525 for federally insured reserve mortgages or home equity conversion mortgages in 2019. Since proprietary reverse mortgages are issued by private lenders, they are not capped.

Generally, you’ll need more than 50 percent in equity, or more than half your mortgage balance paid, to be eligible for a significant reverse mortgage loan. The more your home is currently worth, the more funds you’ll be able to access through a reverse mortgage.

The older the borrower is when he or she takes out the reverse mortgage, the more loan proceeds he or she is entitled to. People over the age of 75 tend to get much higher loan payments, and many use the money to finance new experiences during their later years. Current interest rates also will affect how much you’ll be able to take out with a reverse mortgage. Generally, the lower interest rates are the more funds you’ll have available to you through a mortgage loan.

What is the interest rate on a reverse mortgage?

Interest rates for reverse mortgages have historically fluctuated between 3–6 percent. Similar to traditional mortgage loans, reverse mortgages are available with fixed or variable rates and are determined by government agencies, investors and competitors. All types of reverse mortgage loans defer interest payments until the loan is due.

Most borrowers opt for fixed rates because they are less risky. The drawback with a fixed rate is that funds must be awarded as a lump sum. If you’re more interested in regular reverse mortgage payments that will supplement your monthly income, you may have to get a variable rate reverse mortgage. Variable interest rates are set by market-based indexes and can change either monthly or yearly.

How do you pay back a reverse mortgage?

Reverse mortgages become payable at the end of the life of the loan. Borrowers, or their heirs, will be liable for the full payment once the loan ends due to borrower’s death, relocation or failure to maintain the home or keep up with property taxes and servicing fees. The borrower or their estate will have the option of selling the house and turning over proceeds to the reverse mortgage lender or repaying the loan with other funds if they want to keep the house.

The debt limit for any mortgage is the total amount of debt the borrower incurs. It includes all loan amounts, interest payments and financing fees. It’s important to remember that the total amount you borrow with a reverse mortgage is based on how much equity is in the home, and so the lender cannot demand more from a borrower in repayments than the home is worth. Likewise, if the debt limit is less than the total value of the home at the time the borrower pays it off, the borrower gets to keep the surplus.

Who should get a reverse mortgage?

Reverse mortgages are available to homeowners who are over the age of 62 and own their homes outright or have minimal remaining mortgage balances. A lot of people think of reverse mortgages as a last resort source of income, but they can also be an important factor in planning your retirement or if you’re already retired and your house is your most valuable asset.

  • If you don’t plan to move
    Since a change of permanent residency triggers reverse mortgage repayment obligations, reverse mortgages are really only a good idea if you plan to age in place.
  • If you’re on a fixed income
    Many seniors who depend on a fixed income from Social Security or other retirement programs use reverse mortgages to supplement their income. Often a person will get a reverse mortgage to pay off their existing mortgage and use the savings for extra cash every month.
  • If you can afford to maintain ongoing costs
    Reverse mortgages require borrowers to pay costs associated with property taxes, insurance and maintaining the residence, as well as a servicing fee, which is typically paid to the lender monthly. Otherwise, you’ll be at risk for default and foreclosure on the home.
  • If you expect your house’s value to rise
    If your kids sell your house after you die to pay off the reverse mortgage loan, they can keep the surplus of the sale. If your property value rises in the last several years of your life, your kids could actually see an increase in their inheritance.

What happens when you die with a reverse mortgage?

After you die, your family or estate will inherit your remaining equity and be responsible for repaying the reverse mortgage debt. Generally, they will have about six months to repay the loan outright or sell the property to recoup the balance. If the house is sold for more than the loan balance, your family will keep the difference. Alternatively, if the home sells for less than is needed to repay the loan, your family probably won’t be held financially responsible. For federally insured reverse mortgages, FHA Mortgage Insurance will cover the difference.

If you’re married, your spouse can continue to live in the house only if you were married before you took out the reverse mortgage and he or she was listed as a “nonborrowing spouse” in your reverse mortgage documents. If your spouse turns 62 after your death, he or she will likely have to refinance with their own reverse mortgage to keep living on the property.

Is a reverse mortgage a ripoff?

Often in a reverse mortgage scam, the victim is already acquainted with the scammer, but some lenders purposely mislead prospective borrowers too, which is why it’s so important to read verified customer reviews as you’re comparing lenders. Reverse mortgage fraud is a type of equity scam when a perpetrator convinces a senior to take out a reverse mortgage against their best interests for some kind of personal financial gain.

In the last several years, more regulations and stricter requirements on HECM programs from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) protect high-risk borrowers from default. For example, defaults on new reverse mortgage loans decreased by almost 75 percent after underwriting standards started setting aside some of the borrowed funds to cover future costs associated with the loan. Before you can be approved for a reverse mortgage, you’re also now required to meet with a third-party financial expert or reverse mortgage counseling agency to evaluate your financial situation and be sure you fully understand the loan program for which your applying.

Profile picture of Michele Lerner

Michele Lerner Mortgage & Real Estate Contributing Editor

Michele Lerner, author of “HOMEBUYING: Tough Times, First Time, Any Time”, has been writing about personal finance and real estate for more than two decades. Michele writes for regional, national and international publications in print and online for a variety of audiences including consumers, real estate investors, business owners and real estate professionals.

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Housing Tips

The Value of a Downsized Home

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Downsize And Trade Home Maintenance For Hours Of Free Time.

The average American spends nearly two hours doing housework per day. Cooking, cleaning, repairing, yard work — it all adds up. Maybe you feel like your average day is even more than that. You may have an older home that demands more upkeep or a sprawling yard, or you might find yourself lugging things back and forth from garage to kitchen, upstairs and down again more than you’d like.

Every new season also brings with it a barrage of home maintenance chores that not only cost money but can do a number on our aging knees, backs and muscles. However, imagine all the tasks you could look forward to never doing again if you have a downsized home.

Lawn Care, Don’t Care

Many of us have a love-hate relationship with our yards. We love watching the flowers arrive each spring, sitting in a chair gazing across the calm of a rolling lawn or digging in a little vegetable patch. However, all that yard requires so much upkeep. The constant lawn mowing, the leaf raking, the weed pulling. Think of all the time and backaches you’ll save yourself by trading in your yard for a shared community garden or a condo with a landscaping team. You don’t need to give up the joys of having a yard, but by sharing the space, you can also share the effort.

Stairway To Heavens, My Back Hurts

If you’re living in an empty nest alone or with just your spouse, you may find less and less need for the separation that a multi-level floor plan once afforded you. Carrying laundry down to the basement, lugging a vacuum upstairs – these little trips can be enough to make you dread routine housework. By switching to a smaller, single-level living situation, everything you need will always be just a few steps away.

All Those Nooks And Crannies

The larger your home, the more nooks, and crannies you are responsible for keeping dust and mold free. When was the last time you cleaned your basement floor or scrubbed the grout in your second bathroom? Neglecting routine cleaning of the harder to reach corners of your home can lead to a buildup of dirt or moisture that left unchecked can be harmful to your health and damage to your house. A downsized home is sure to be easier to clean from top to bottom, so you’ll never again have dirty, moldy situations sneak up on you.

Tidy In No Time

Many people have been embracing the decluttering attitude espoused by Marie Kondo in her “Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” books and TV program. There’s also the Swedish death cleaning concept. Less morbid than it sounds, it’s about enjoying the process of going through and paring down our possessions to be able to focus on the essential things. Whichever method speaks to you, the result is the same – less physical and psychological clutter in your life and the freedom to move into a downsized home. Because there’s less stuff to manage and less ground to cover, your smaller home will be much easier to keep tidy.

Appliance Reliance

The larger our homes, the more we seem to find a way to fill them with stuff. That goes for appliances and gadgets too. Downsizing your home is also an opportunity, to be honest with yourself about just how much you need that second television, the elaborate multi-room stereo system, the spare microwave, the other printer, or the exercise machine that spends more time like a coat rack. By freeing yourself of non-essential appliances and gadgets, you will also be free of the responsibility of maintaining all that gear. Moreover, if you downsize to a shared living community, you might very well have access to communal exercise equipment, entertainment facilities or even power tools. No longer being responsible for so many gizmos can free up time and mental energy, too.

Major Repairs

There are many up-sides to home ownership, but the big downside is being entirely responsible for solving significant repairs. When pipe bursts or toilet clogs or the utilities are on the fritz, it can bring your life to a standstill while you investigate the problem, research a solution, and sometimes take on the repair yourself. If you downsize to an apartment or condo, you can immediately enjoy the benefit of having someone to turn to when repairs are needed. You don’t have to figure it all out yourself or spend time worrying about the details of getting it fixed.

Getting On A Ladder

Any homeowner knows that at least once or twice a year you’ll find yourself climbing on a ladder to take care of something out of reach. Whether that’s cleaning the gutters, doing minor roof repairs, or replacing screens on second-story windows, scaling to uncomfortable heights is hard to avoid. As we get older, our balance may start to fail us, and the impact of a minor fall can be catastrophic. We may still feel compelled to again take on these balancing acts rather than burden friends or family by asking for help. Downsizing to a condo or co-living community means never having to be responsible for dizzying repair work on your home’s exterior ever again.

Seasonal Woes

Sometimes the weather throws situations at us and our homes that can be a lot to handle. A winter storm might demand you shovel sidewalks and plow driveways. A heavy spring rain might overwhelm your sewers and require an emergency clean up. A sudden summer heat wave might have you scrambling to install window A/C units, or an early fall freeze might sneak up on an unprepared garden or cause an outdoor water pipe to crack. Mother Nature keeps us on our toes, but the less property you have to manage, the easier it will be to roll with her punches.

It is possible to have more with less. Fewer chores and more free time. Fewer backaches and more relaxation. What would you do with all that extra time that a downsized home could afford you?

Bio: Sally Phillips is a professional freelance writer with many years of experience in many different areas. She made a move to freelancing from a stressful corporate job and loves the work-life balance it offers her. When not at work, Sally enjoys reading, hiking, spending time with her family and traveling as much as possible.

Mary Spann

Mary Spann is the founder and president of Upside of Downsizing®. In addition to her 26 years in construction, interior design, and home staging, Mary also holds college degrees in Social Work and Psychology, making her uniquely qualified to assist with the downsizing process, and helping 50 plus-year-olds achieve a happy and healthy life balance. Mary learned the key components of construction and interior design at an early age. Her father was a prominent custom home builder in Minnesota and Texas, and her mother was a successful interior designer and a principal broker.

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Senior woman standing alone at home
Seniors & Covid

10+ Ways to Connect and Care During COVID

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

As our elders stay inside their homes, their apartments and their residential communities, we search for ways to connect with them as well as to make their lives and their care better. Here are 10+ ways to connect and care for your elders during this unprecedented time.

 

Some are simple, but simple works right now.

Engage with Them:
  • Send a note or card in the mail. Include a photo, a drawing, or news clipping that you want to share. Elders love getting snail mail.
  • Ask them to write you a story that they’ve never told you before.
  • If your elder has FaceTime or their community has a tablet that they are using for family connections, use this means to have some virtual face-to-face time.
  • Set up a daily or weekly chat time. Stick to it.
  • Send them magazines, puzzles, books, craft supplies. You can order online and have them delivered.
  • Some floral companies are doing contact-free deliveries. Order balloons or flowers to brighten your elder’s day. Springtime is great for blooming plants.
  • Send your elder a box of blank cards and a book of stamps. They can use them to write to loved ones and friends. Send addresses or suggestions so they don’t have to search.
  • Offer to do their spring yard work. You can visit from a distance that way.
  • If you live nearby, order a food delivery for them and the same one for you. Then call them while you enjoy the same meal.
Make Sure Your Elders Are Getting Consistently Good Care:
  • Check to see if your elder’s doctor or care provider is offering telehealth visits. Sign your elder up for telehealth instead of their next in-person visit, if appropriate.
  • Set up a Care Conference with your elder’s care providers via video or phone. Ask about physical, cognitive and mental health.
  • If your elder lives in a care community or retirement community, call the Activities Director and ask if you can order or send something for their residents to enjoy. Trivia books to use? Puzzle books? Individual crafts?
  • Now is a great time to set up mail order Rx deliveries for maintenance meds. If your elder is using a retail pharmacy, set up delivery with them (or move to a retail pharmacy that does do delivery).
  • Staff members at retirement and care communities are running ragged right now. Order delivery of meals, snacks or gift cards. Call and ask what they need.
  • Check with your local Area Agency on Aging to see what resources are available at low or no cost to assist your elder right now.

 

More than anything, find ways to stay connected. Isolation is not a good place for anyone, but especially not elders.

Stay well, friends. Know we’ll work our way through this time and find some very special connections along the way.

Author Suzanne Blankenship

 

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5 of the Best Exercises for Seniors
Exercise & Fitness

5 of the Best Exercises for Seniors

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Staying active in your older years isn’t always easy, but choosing the right activity can make all the difference. When you’re able to enjoy the time you spend keeping active, it’s much easier to keep up a regular fitness routine. It’s also important to find a low-stress, senior-friendly activity: one where your risk of strain or injury is lowered.

At Visiting Angels, our home care providers have been helping seniors for nearly twenty years. Below, we’ve collected five of the best exercises for seniors. All of these activities offer light or moderate exercise, a low risk of strain and injury, can be easily worked into seniors’ weekly routines, and are an enjoyable way to stay active during retirement. 5 of the Best Exercises for Seniors

Ping Pong

Among the elderly, ping pong is becoming an increasingly popular sport — and with good reason. Ping pong is fantastic exercise for seniors, offering a range of physical and mental benefits. Ping pong can increase strength, is a boon to hand-eye coordination, and has positive benefits on cognitive performance. In fact, some dementia care programs now include ping pong as an alternative form of therapy.

Swimming

Swimming is one of the best exercises for seniors, exercising all parts of the body with minimal risk of injury. Water ensures minimal stress on seniors’ joints and bodies, making swimming a great activity, even for those with knee or back issues. Of course, seniors should always be aware of pool safety. Take precautions to avoid slips around pool decks and make sure to never swim alone.

Golfing

Golf is a fantastic way for seniors to stay physically active. Golf’s leisurely and meditative pace makes it a great way to get in light exercise and relax. Even better, as an outdoor game that take’s place in green space, it’s a fantastic way for seniors to get fresh air and connect with nature. And as a communal game, it’s a great way for seniors to maintain and build relationships.

Gardening

Speaking of ways for seniors to connect with nature, no activity accomplishes the job quite like gardening. While some seniors think of maintaining their garden as a chore, for many others, the time outdoors is the perfect time for quiet contemplation and a refreshing way to disconnect from everyday stresses and worries. 5 of the Best Exercises for Seniors

Dancing

Dance classes for seniors are a great way for seniors to mingle with friends, perform light-to-moderate cardio, and learn new steps for the dance floor. Most dance classes follow a regular schedule, meaning seniors develop a regular routine for exercise. As with golf, dance classes are a superb social activity for seniors, offering a way to forge the kinds of relationships that have been tied to positive physical, mental, and emotional health outcomes. 5 of the Best Exercises for Seniors
Looking for help staying active? The home care providers from your local Visiting Angels can help you or a person you love live a more active and healthy lifestyle. Contact your local office for a no-cost care consultation today.

5 of the Best Exercises for Seniors 5 of the Best Exercises for Seniors

5 of the Best Exercises for Seniors 5 of the Best Exercises for Seniors 5 of the Best Exercises for Seniors 5 of the Best Exercises for Seniors

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Health Products

“JayPad” is the new buzz word for senior engagement

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

There is always light at the end of the tunnel. The coronavirus pandemic has been devastating to everyone, especially to seniors who are subjected to the highest risk medically and mentally. We rely on the scientists and healthcare professionals to tackle the medical part. Unfortunately, the mental part of the pandemic fallout is left on the shoulders of the senior care centers and families.

California software company HealthJay and the National Adult Day Services Association have recently announced their partnership to address this escalating issue of pandemic loneliness. The industry leading organization and the Silicon Valley tech firm look to the JayPad and HealthJay ecosystem to provide some relief to this mounting challenge.

Pandemic loneliness has caused anxiety, depression, sleep, and food disorders which have inflicted an emotional toll on seniors, in addition to the medical damages that they suffer from COVID-19.

“This virus has taken an extraordinary toll on seniors. Not only medically but mentally. JayPad’s virtual programming can help with social isolation, allowing Adult Day Services (ADS) centers to provide virtual care programs with seniors staying at home,” says Donna Hale, Executive Director of NADSA. “This partnership is the first ever effort for a technology to cater for the Adult Day Services industry. With this pandemic, our industry is working outside of the box to re-establish normalcy for our seniors.”

This nationwide Partnership will potentially introduce over a quarter million adult day care seniors to virtual services.

The tablet “JayPad” is designed for seniors, and adults with disabilities with easy / automated access to a full suite of video conferencing features, allowing more human connections. The tablet users can use their voice to tell a Chatbot to place audio or video calls. The center administrator can schedule reminders for members’ daily video classes, therapy, and social activities. Here is the catch – users do not need password nor log-in to participate in any video conference. A pop-up reminder will show up on the JayPad 15 minutes prior to the virtual class. When it starts, the User just taps a “Join Now” button on an Activity Starting popup, and they placed into their virtual group class!

For non tech-savvy seniors, the navigation to place a call in current overcomplicated devices can be frustrating. Well, with the JayPad, users can choose from their pre-configured “avatar” phone book, or use their voice.

“Seniors are craving for more human interaction, but they are often discouraged from the overcomplicated tech out there.” says Rosita Wong, CEO of HealthJay. JayPad takes a simple approach with a Chatbot and “one-tap to join” group video features which makes senior participation in virtual programming doable. “The industry is responding to the lingering impact of the pandemic with long-term tech engagement. This is a paradigm shift for an industry that has not kept up with the tech world that has progressed so rapidly”.

The JayPad offers virtual classes, COVID wellness checks, social group games, and Smart Features such as voice commands, video calls, social chats, and a check-in button. It is supported by an ecosystem including a mobile app for caregivers to monitor senior JayPad users, and an admin portal allowing adult day centers to deliver daily services virtually.

Sean Allen, CTO of HealthJay, points out that many senior centers are incorporating virtual programming into their re-opening strategy. “Senior-friendly tech that works will lead the industry to a new path, opening doors to care programs for many more seniors in remote areas. The JayPad is designed to achieve just that. Our social games, such as group Bingo, aim not only to provide social entertainment, but also to exercise and sharpen cognitive skills.

HealthJay has designed a family of senior care devices and apps, including the JayPad (tablet), the JayWatch (wearable with fall detection), the JayMobile App for families and caregivers, and FlightDeck (admin portal).

Content is provided by HealthJay Inc. (www.healthjay.com)

 

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Health Products

Dennis Says: Sock It To Me

by Dennis Dart
written by Dennis Dart

If it’s hard for you to bend down to put on your socks, then these tools may help. I try out several models of sock helpers with different technologies and with a range of prices. If yoga and stretching exercises can’t help, then maybe an affordable sock helper is the answer for you. Check out which one is the best value for money.

Click on the Video Below:

You can purchase sock aids here at Senior.com!

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Making the Move to Senior Living Easy for Mom
Housing Tips

Making the Move to Senior Living Easy for Mom

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Don’t wait until the weekend before the move! Follow these 6 tips for a smooth transition:

  1. Set aside a weekend: Moving takes time. Set aside a weekend to do it right.
  2. Get the family involved: Get as many family members as possible to help with the move. Aside from helping the move go more quickly, it’ll help remind your Mom that she has a support system.
  3. Identify the true junk: Walk with your Mom through her house or apartment identifying items that all agree can be donated, recycled, or trashed. Remember: just because Mom owns it, doesn’t mean she has to move it!
  4. Set aside items moving with the senior: Identify what will be moved to the new senior living apartment. Make sure you are mindful of the senior living apartment’s floor plan and size constraints so that you do not attempt to bring more than will fit.
  5. Identify remaining items with sentimental value: After removing all known junk and all items that will be moving with the senior, you are left with items whose futures are up in the air. The most important of the remaining items are things with sentimental value. As a family, discuss the future of these items, attempting to honor your older loved ones wishes as much as possible. Find safe places for these items, ideally with family members who will appreciate them, so that your loved one is confident these items are being respected and treasured. Let your loved one know that she can have the items back anytime if she is to leave senior living, but in the meantime they will be kept safe.
  6. Take care of the rest: With obvious junk gone, items being moved gone, and objects with sentimental value gone, you should be left with objects with some value or use but that do not have sentimental value. These items could be sold to help fund the move, or donated to a good cause.

Moving is never easy, at any age, but I hope these tips will help you organize your Mom’s move to senior living and take a little pain out of the process. Ma

king the Move to Senior Living Easy for Mom
Author: Jeff Anderson

The Piggy Bank

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Aging

How Friends Keeps Us Young at Heart

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

Staying socially active enriches our lives, and creating intergenerational friends keeps us young at heart and mind. But, how does an older person create a mutually beneficial relationship with someone a decade or so younger without making them feel like they’re being groomed to be the absent child?

I’ve always had older and younger friends. I’ve been lucky that way and now that I’m older, and have no children, I don’t worry that a younger friend will ever feel like I treat her or expect her to take the role of my (absent) child, nor would I want to be her surrogate mom. On the other hand, I would never treat an older friend as my mother/father or aunt/uncle. The trick is not to make defensive jokes or remarks about how old I am nor do I force my wisdom and experience on them. I see each person (older or younger) as whole and complete.

Most of us make friends with people because we like them. We have interests or experiences in common. They make us laugh. They make us feel special. And we should do the same for them. There’s always room for more friends in our lives. So why allow a random factor like an age to stand in the way?

And most understand that having friends is important, but they have no idea how important it really is. Scientists are starting to discover that having friends who care about us is really a vital part of living. And it’s a very good predictor of good health, success, and happiness.

Why Friends Matter

A study by Gallup showed if you hang around people having a nutritious and healthy mindset, you are more than five times as likely to have a very healthy diet yourself.

  • Scientists have found that being lonely is more dangerous than air pollution, obesity, or excessive drinking.
  • Individuals who are not lonely have as many problems as lonely people. But when you’re lonely, the problems faced stress you more and for a longer time. People with active social groups are able to move past stress faster. It’s believed that their friends make that possible.
  • When an individual stresses, their friends remind them of their value, giving the person the ability to quickly move out of feeling negative.
  • Friendship is the leading factor of happiness.
  • We learn to make friends accidentally. No one, even our parents, teach us how to do it.

 

Friendships can’t be looked at as either black or white; either we are best friends forever, or not at all. Holding a hard and fast rule about friendships will hurt you. Try to focus on ranges of friendships from acquaintances, to very casual, to very close. Having a broad and interesting social circle is key to happiness. With casual friends, your investment of time and energy is just smaller, and you share less intimate information.

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