How to Choose a Financial Advisor

How do you choose the right Financial Advisor? For starters, ask your friends, relatives and co-workers  whom they use. Then interview some of the people they recommend. What questions should you ask at such an interview? Consider these:

• What are your qualifications?
Make sure you are talking to someone who, at a minimum, has all the required licenses for selling securities.

• What type of experience do you have?
Find out how long someone has been a financial advisor, but don’t rule out a person with only a limited amount of experience — a new financial advisor frequently brings a great deal of enthusiasm to his or her work. A financial advisor’s longevity is less important than whether he or she has had experience working with someone like you — someone in your financial situation, with your goals and your investment preferences.

• What is your investment philosophy?
Try to learn if someone favors a specific style of investing or a particular class of investments. These styles or classes may be  well-suited for some investors but inappropriate for others. If you believe the person you’re talking to has a “one size fits all” mentality, you might want to look elsewhere.

• How will you communicate with me?
Financial advisors run their business in different ways, so there’s no one “right” way of communicating with clients. However, you need to feel comfortable that someone will always be available to answer your questions, review your accounts, evaluate your situation and make appropriate recommendations. If you are interviewing someone who has a partner or an assistant, find out whom you are likely to be communicating with, should you decide to become a client.

• What services do you provide?
Find out just how a prospective financial advisor can help you. For example, some people sell investments only, while others offer investments and insurance. Keep in mind, though, that you don’t need to be a “one-stop” shopper when it comes to  obtaining a wide range of services. In fact, you might want to ask a prospective financial advisor if he or she has developed working relationships with legal and tax advisors. This “team” approach can be quite beneficial to you, especially when you get into the area of estate planning.

Article provided by Edward Jones, for more information contact:

Caitlin M Kuecke
1661 Edgewater Street Nw # 140 Salem, OR  97304
(503) 375-7612

Ryan W Lawyer.
454 Lancaster DR Salem 97301
(503) 910-6951

Alzheimer’s – Recognizing The Symptoms

Every 70 seconds someone in America is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.  As the 7th leading cause of death, the prevalence of Alzheimer’s is higher than ever.   With symptoms beginning at the higher risk senior citizens, 55-65, the disease symptoms and problems become worse as the patient ages.

Patients reaching these ages for Alzheimer’s complain about similar types and themes of symptoms. The patient may seem more irritable and uncomfortable in his or her surroundings. This may be a rare occasional onset, but rest assured that these are the main early symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Progression of this may lead to increased confusion and override rational decision making. Still at the early stages, patients may complain about problems formulating proper words. This will also involve math problems, decision making processes for abstract situations, as well as loss of stream of consciousness and thought.
Patients who are suffering from early stages of Alzheimer’s may also have noticeable differences in their attitudes about things they once enjoyed, as well as changes in personality. This becomes more evident with the progression of the disease. Patients may seem apathetic and depressed about activities or thoughts that once made them happy and content. They may also begin to stumble during words and forget places and people that they had a vague recollection of. Again, it is important to note that at the early stages, occurrences such as these are rare and may happen infrequently. Progression to medium stages will disable the patient further, where more and more faces, places, and events will be forgotten to a greater degree.

Finally towards the end of the early stages of Alzheimer’s, symptoms may become evident in the personality of the patient suffering from the disease. The patient may be noticeably different in his personality, gaining new and weird behaviors. They may speak or act inappropriately, with this lack of judgment.

As the early stages of Alzheimer’s, it is important to make a checklist and record differences in activity and behavior. If one notices the patient in a more aloof and gloomy mood, reflective versus participatory in their activities (and over the age of 60) then it may be symptomatic of Alzheimer’s.  It is key to accept the changes in behavior and understand that paranoia, hiding, and irrational behavior are part of the suffering for both family as well as patient.

Article Provided by:
Alzheimer’s Network
503-364-8100
www.alznet.org

Aid and Attendance Pension

The Aid and Attendance pension benefit may be available to wartime veterans and surviving spouses who have in-home care or who live in nursing-homes or assisted-living facilities.

Although this is not a new program, not everyone is aware of his or her potential eligibility. “Veterans have earned this benefit by their service to our nation,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson. “We want to ensure that every veteran or surviving spouse who qualifies has the chance to apply.”

Many elderly veterans and surviving spouses whose incomes are above the congressionally mandated legal limit for a VA pension may still be eligible for the special monthly Aid and Attendance benefit if they have large medical expenses, including nursing home expenses, for which they do not receive reimbursement. To qualify, claimants must be incapable of self support and in need of regular personal assistance.

The basic criteria for the Aid and Attendance benefit include, but not limited to the inability to feed oneself, to dress and undress without assistance, or to take care of one’s own bodily needs. People who are bedridden or need help to adjust special prosthetic or orthopedic devices may also be eligible, as well as those who have a physical or mental injury or illness that requires regular assistance to protect them from hazards or dangers in their daily environment.

For a wartime veteran or surviving spouse to qualify for this special monthly pension, the veteran must have served at least 90 days of active military service, one day of which was during a period of war, and be discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

Wartime veterans who entered active duty on or after September 8, 1980, (October 16, 1981, for officers) must have completed at least 24 continuous months of military service or the period for which they were ordered to active duty.

If all requirements are met, VA determines eligibility for the Aid and Attendance benefit by adjusting for un-reimbursed medical expenses from the veteran’s or surviving spouse’s total household income. If the remaining income amount falls below the annual income threshold for the Aid and Attendance benefit, VA pays the difference between the claimant’s household income and the Aid and Attendance threshold.

The Aid and Attendance income threshold for a veteran without dependents is now $19,736 annually. The threshold increases to $23,396 if a veteran has one dependent, and by $2020 for each additional dependent. The annual Aid and Attendance threshold for a surviving spouse alone is $12,681. This threshold increases to $15,128 if there is one dependent child, and by $2020 for each additional child. Information is also available on the Internet at www.va.gov or from any local veterans service organization.

Article provided by:
COR, Care Option Resources
503-781-1695
www.CareOptionResources.com

In-Home Monitoring Technology Empowers Elderly

Most of us take self-reliance for granted, and it’s something we can’t imagine losing. Becoming dependent on others just to get through the day can have devastating emotional and physical effects. For an elderly person moving into a long-term care facility, it means a loss of self-sufficiency and leaving behind familiar surroundings and a home that holds a lifetime of memories. ResCare, a company with 30 years of experience caring for the elderly and disabled, introduced a unique service in 2006 designed to help seniors remain in their homes. Rest Assured® is a Web-based “telecare” system that offers round-the-clock, in-home monitoring and support services provided by specially trained caregivers that allows families to “check in” on their loved ones.

Peace of mind through technology
Using Rest Assured, caregivers are able to communicate face-to-face through touch screen computer monitors. Cameras are placed in the common areas of the home, along with two-way speakers and electronic sensors in bathrooms and bedrooms to support the individual while maintaining privacy. Family members can interact with their loved one, via computer, using the secure web site. The technology may seem imposing, but the hardware is virtually invisible after installation. A recent study by the American Association of Retired Persons found that older persons living alone felt comforted knowing that others were watching after them.

Individualized care
Rest Assured caregivers must have at least two years of direct care experience, 100 hours of training with the system and demonstrate a full understanding of the care protocols of each client. Staff members work with clients and their families to develop a care plan based on three monitoring programs: Family Support–Offers unlimited access, allowing individuals to be monitored by family, via computer, from anywhere in the world. “Drop-in” Support–A Rest Assured caregiver periodically checks the individual’s whereabouts, monitors medication and dietary intake, etc. Active Support–Provides for continuous, remote care if Drop-in Support is not enough.

Best care scenario
We all want our elderly family member to be safe and happy. Rest Assured makes it possible for seniors to live their lives much as they always have, secure in the knowledge that help is always there if needed.

Article provided by: Rescare Homecare
503-362-4948
www.rescarehomecare.com

Share The Joy During the Holidays

Tips to Help Caregiver’s and Those Living With Alzheimer’s Disease 

The hustle and bustle of the holidays comes to every household. When you are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s it’s not all “joy”. The shift in routine, decorations, and influx of visitors can put a damper on everyone’s holiday spirit. How to welcome holiday guests who do not understand the situation is often a dilemma for caregivers. “Concerns will arise from those who are surprised of the progression of the disease, and some visitors will not understand why Grandpa has changed,” said Jo Gosselin, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Network.

Consider sending out a note to anyone planning on dropping by. Lay out simple guidelines and explain the progression of disease and how it will affect the visit. “For a smooth visit, avoid loud noises, long stays and drawn out questions that only cause more confusion. Don’t hesitate to schedule morning and afternoon visits, things may go smoother when starting out rested,” Gosselin said. Being prepared will help everyone feel like the visit was a success and there will be fewer surprises.

Focus on the “can do” and not the “we used to,” said Gosselin. Don’t concentrate on what holiday traditions you can’t enjoy together, instead make new ones or scale down the old ones. Make treats together in the kitchen. Measuring, mixing and a little soft music can be quality time together.

The holiday’s can be rather animated, dancing Santa’s, blinking lights and talking reindeer don’t bring a calm environment and can be confusing for someone suffering from Alzheimer’s. Keeping decorations simple and not making a lot of changes can help with confusion.

Rest and Relaxation make for a real nice holiday. Make sure everyone including the caregiver is getting enough rest. “Less is more, having a blessed time is more important that rushing through twelve events and feeling harried and frazzled in the end,” said Gosselin. Don’t ignore family members who have offered to help. Take time to enjoy the festivities with friends or other family members. The holiday may have changed, but embrace the warmth of the season and take what works for you, and resist pressure from those events that overwhelm you.

Questions about Alzheimer’s? Need Support Group Information?
Call the Alzheimer Network at (503) 364-8100 or 1-866-425-9638 or visit us at www.alznet.org

Every Home Needs a Little Attention

Even a dream home will turn into a nightmare if regular maintenance is not part of your standard routine.

In your home, as in life, few things are maintenance free. Despite the time and money it consumes, preventive home maintenance is far more cost effective than the crisis management approach of waiting until something breaks and then scrambling to have it repaired.

So, maintain your home for the same reasons that you maintain your health, because without regular attention both you and your home are headed for trouble and costly repairs down the road.

Like a visit to the dentist, your home preventive maintenance plan really needs two components. Routine upkeep is similar to the cleaning your hygienist provides. And a monitoring plan that covers structural, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems, as well as appliances is like the diagnostic exam the dentist provides.

There are so many home maintenance and repair items that are important it can be hard to decide which are most critical. At Hey Handyman we emphasize preventive maintenance as a factor in a safe home environment. We recommend that you start by testing or installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and at least two multipurpose fire extinguishers. Find and correct electrical hazards, remove or correct trip hazards, and finally locate and mark the shut offs for gas, electric, plumbing and heating systems.

Next, establish a maintenance schedule. Some routine upkeep chores like testing ground fault interrupters should be carried out monthly. Others, like servicing the furnace or cleaning out gutters, might be performed semiannually.

Ideally, preventive maintenance inspections should be performed semiannually in the spring and fall, but some areas are easier to monitor in the spring, some in summer, and others in the fall or winter. Assign each area for a particular month to break the job into manageable size and ensure regular inspection of each area.

Everything wears out eventually. That’s why housing experts recommend budgeting between one and three percent of the market value of the house each year for maintenance and repair costs. But the news isn’t all bad.

An investment in a scheduled home maintenance program will reduce your total cost of home ownership. For example, a study, Determining the Economic Value of Preventive Maintenance, showed that more than $5 in repair costs are saved for every $1 spent on routine preventive maintenance.

Article by Jamie Wyant, Owner
Hey Handyman.
or (503) 910-7290. CCB# 190148
www. heyhandy.com

Be Cautious As You Invest

Does it sound too good to be true? It’s essential to ask yourself this question when a “can’t fail”  investment opportunity comes your way.  In today’s sluggish economy it is tempting to grab at an offer to make up the losses in your retirement nest egg. Unfortunately there are people looking to make a quick buck and will offer you an opportunity that can take a bite out your savings. Each year Oregonians lose millions of dollars to investment, or securities, fraud– by con artists using high-pressure tactics and promising “get-rich-quick” schemes.

As a potential investor, you may be solicited through telephone calls, mailings, emails and references from friends or family. If a enticing offer comes your way,  be cautious and get the necessary information to make an informed decision. Your first step? Check out the person offering the investment by contacting the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services. Its Division of Finance and Corporate Securities – the state’s securities, or investments – regulator – can tell you if the firm or salesperson is licensed to sell investments in Oregon and if the investment is registered for sale in Oregon.
Whether the opportunity comes from a broker, investment adviser or insurance agent, the Division can provide important licensing information including possible disciplinary  action.

In addition, check a person’s professional credentials. In Oregon, those who sell financial and insurance products are prohibited from marketing themselves by claiming they are a “specialist,” “adviser,” or similar title when they have no substantive credentials based on legitimate professional training. Senior citizens are vulnerable to this type of deceptive marketing as many are looking for ways to invest and may targeted by those claiming to have specialized expertise.

You should also be wary of the following pitches:

• The promise of a rate of return that is better than what similar investments are paying.
• A guarantee that the investment won’t fail.
• Insistence that the opportunity to invest exists today only – tomorrow will be too late.
• Pressure to write a check immediately or for a bank account number “to make it easier.”

Even with the current economic downturn, there are still many opportunities that hold great promise of financial return. The key is look at each one objectively, ask a lot of questions and check and verify the salesperson and the investment.

Article Provided by:
The Oregon Division of Finance and Corporate Securities
1-866-814-9710
www.dfcs.oregon.gov or www.protectyourmoneyoregon.org

Oregon’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

The Long-Term Ombudsman Program advocates for quality of life and care for residents in nursing homes, residential care, assisted living facilities, and adult foster care homes. Federal and state authority mandates ombudsmen to identify, investigate, and resolve complaints made by, or on behalf of, residents and to provide services to help in protecting health, safety, welfare and rights. Information and assistance in choosing the most appropriate living residence is also a valuable service provided.

Across Oregon, certified ombudsmen serve residents, their families and friends. Professional staff supervise the volunteers. All Ombudsman services are free and confidential. A 24-hour line is available at 1-800-522-2602 and more information is available at www.oregon.gov/lltco.

Resident Rights
Many people believe that once a person enters a long term care facility, they lose their rights or their rights are altered in some manner — this is not true. Residents have rights and those rights need to be protected.

Ombudsman Program staff and volunteers communicate with each resident and the program affirms the dignity and value of each resident. Communication is essential to maintaining the rights of all people and is absolutely critical to the more than 42,000 Oregonians in long-term care facilities.

Being an Ombudsman is a rewarding experience!
Certified volunteer ombudsmen: advocate for quality care for residents in Oregon nursing homes, residential and assisted living facilities and adult foster homes; provide information to residents and families about residents’ rights and help identify additional resources in or out of the facility; receive special training prior to certification and additional continuing education; identify, investigate, and resolve complaints by or on behalf of nursing home and long-term care residents; and work with the residents, families, friends, and facility staff to improve the quality of residents’ lives.

Certified Ombudsman volunteers must be over 21, pass a background check, attend training, and commit to one year of service and 16 hours a month. Volunteers enjoy a flexible schedule, opportunities to work with a partner or spouse, and the ability to make a direct and meaningful impact in their community.

Article provided by
Gretchen Jordan,
Ombudsman Volunteer Coordinator
503-378-6340 

Choosing a Caregiver for Loved Ones

Selecting a home care provider is a much more challenging process as there is a large range of experience, and professionalism. Here are a few insights to help guide your decision-making to make the best choice.

• Is the home care agency licensed by the State of Oregon? The State Health Department requires that home care agencies follow a strict set of standards to ensure that clients are provided appropriate care in a manner that promotes their health, safety.
• Is the agency bonded and insured? “Bonded” means the agency offers protection to the client if a caregiver steals. “Insured” means the agency carries liability coverage for personal injuries and property damage, as well as workers’ compensation insurance. Ask to see documentation to verify the exact kind of coverage.
• How does the agency screen potential employees? Before allowing anyone access to your home, demand a background check. Is there a physical skills test and a criminal history check through the Department of Human Services completed on each applicant.
• Are the caregivers experienced? Make sure your home care agency employs only qualified, experienced caregivers.
• How does the agency train their staff? Your home care agency should provide on-going training to keep caregivers up to date and proficient on skills needed to care for others with in-office orientation programs, hands-on training, and classes on personal care and managing medication.
• Does the agency schedule around you? Some agencies have set times that caregivers are available. Ask if they are flexible when it comes to your schedule.
• Does the agency have a live person on-call 24 hours? Nothing is more frustrating than having a problem and calling your home care agency, only to find an answering machine. Insist that your home care agency is available night and day.
• Does the agency have 24-hour RN supervision? If you have an emergency question at any time of the day, it’s important that a Registered Nurse is on call 24 hours a day to answer your questions and provide help if needed.
• Will the home care agency bill supplemental insurance companies? Find out if billing is handled by the home care agency or if it is entirely your responsibility to submit claims. In addition, it’s important to contact your insurance company and ask what they require from the home care agency for payment.  Make sure you know what your waiting period is and if there are any exclusions.

Article provided by:
Mark Schulz, Marquis at Home
866-363-4733

Making Oregon Vital for Elders

Making Oregon Vital for Elders (M.O.V.E.) is a statewide coalition of dedicated organizations and individuals united in changing the way Oregonians feel about health and long-term care for older adults. M.O.V.E. is a partner of the Pioneer Network, a national grass-roots organization committed to changing the culture of aging in America.

The ultimate vision of the Pioneer Network is to create a culture of aging that is ‘life-affirming, satisfying, humane, and meaningful.’ Culture change can transform a ‘facility’ into a ‘home,’ a ‘resident’ into a ‘person,’ and a ‘schedule’ into a ‘choice.’

The current national culture change movement, launched by the Pioneer Network to transform older adult services, is based on person-centered values and person-directed practices. The concept of “person first” is the heart of both the values and practices which start and end with putting the person before the task. The culture change transformation is focused on both long and short-term living environments, as well as community-based settings, where those in supported living and their caregivers are able to express choice and practice self determination in meaningful ways.

M.O.V.E.’s members represent many aspects of long-term care including: long-term care providers, state surveyors and other government agencies, Oregon’s Medicare Quality Improvement Organization, profit and not-for-profit provider organizations, private businesses and consultants, senior advocates, and institutions of higher education. This collaboration inspires many of our initiatives and represents partnership at its best.

Together we are dedicated to reexamining current practices and policies in health care delivery, regardless of setting, and assuring a person-directed, value based system. Our Mission is “to create and sustain personalized, enriching communities where older adults and those who support them can thrive.”
One way M.O.V.E. carries out their mission is to provide quarterly educational trainings throughout the state. Visit our website at www.orculturechage.org for registration information.

Another way one can participate in M.O.V.E. is to volunteer with one of our committees. There are opportunities on the Advocacy Committee, the Communications Committee, the Education Committee, and the Sustainability and Growth committee. Join us and network with a diverse group of professionals committed to enhancing the lives of older adults.

Article provided by
The M.O.V.E. Coalition
PMB 511, 13500 SW Pacific Highway, #58
Tigard, OR 97223