How to choose a trustee

Choosing a Trustee is not something to take lightly. When you have a living Trust, the bulk of your assets are owned by the Trust and, therefore, under the control of the Trustee.

Choosing a Trustee is not something to take lightly. When you have a living Trust, the bulk of your assets are owned by the Trust and, therefore, under the control of the Trustee. As long as you are capable (have legal capacity) of managing your own affairs, you are the Trustee. If you become incapacitated, the successor Trustee manages the assets in the Trust for your benefit. At your death, the Trustee is charged with managing or distributing the Trust Estate in accordance with the directions you provided in the Trust. Whom you name as Trustee depends greatly on your current situation and will most likely change over time. For instance, if you have young children, you will want to name someone to manage the estate for them should something happen to you. In this case, it is important to name someone who will manage the money for the children in the same way you would, and who will ensure it is used for the children’s best interests. The older we are, the more likely it is that someone will need to step in to assist us with our finances. While your children may be fine paying final expenses and closing up the estate, it is not a given that they are the best choice to take care of your finances if you are unable to manage them on your own. Family dynamics should be taken into consideration when deciding if children will be named as successor Trustees or not. If siblings do not get along, naming them as Co-Trustees could be disastrous. Even naming them one after the other could increase tensions between them, leading to higher costs in administering the estate (higher costs means fewer assets available to them for distribution). Or, the children may be lovely and wonderful and not so good with money. In this case, placing them in charge of your finances would seem less than ideal. When deciding on a Trustee, it is important to take into account all these factors. Often, it is a family member tasked with this job; however, it does not have to be and should not be unless there is a family member truly able and willing to do the work. If there is no one appropriate within the circle of family or friends, an outside, a neutral party may be the best choice. A professional fiduciary can be a perfect solution in this instance. As an estate planning attorney since 2001, I have seen time and time again where this is the better choice over the relative or friend. If you would like to discuss your specific situation with me, I would be happy to meet with you. My initial estate planning consultation is always free of charge, and I will help you determine the best course of action. As always, it is my honor and pleasure to serve.

Whom you name as Trustee depends greatly on your current situation and will most likely change over time. For instance, if you have young children, you will want to name someone to manage the estate for them should something happen to you. In this case, it is important to name someone who will manage the money for the children in the same way you would, and who will ensure it is used for the children’s best interests.

The older we are, the more likely it is that someone will need to step in to assist us with our finances. While your children may be fine paying final expenses and closing up the estate, it is not a given that they are the best choice to take care of your finances if you are unable to manage them on your own. Family dynamics should be taken into consideration when deciding if children will be named as successor Trustees or not. If siblings do not get along, naming them as Co-Trustees could be disastrous. Even naming them one after the other could increase tensions between them, leading to higher costs in administering the estate (higher costs means fewer assets available to them for distribution). Or, the children may be lovely and wonderful and not so good with money. In this case, placing them in charge of your finances would seem less than ideal.

When deciding on a Trustee, it is important to take into account all these factors. Often, it is a family member tasked with this job; however, it does not have to be and should not be unless there is a family member truly able and willing to do the work. If there is no one appropriate within the circle of family or friends, an outside, a neutral party may be the best choice. A professional fiduciary can be a perfect solution in this instance. As an estate planning attorney since 2001, I have seen time and time again where this is the better choice over the relative or friend. If you would like to discuss your specific situation with me, I would be happy to meet with you. My initial estate planning consultation is always free of charge, and I will help you determine the best course of action. As always, it is my honor and pleasure to serve.

Article Provided By:
Cheri Elson Sperber, Attorney at Law
Drescher
Elson Sperber, P.C.
info@AshlandOregonLaw.com
www.AshlandOregonLaw.com


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Estate planning

Estate Planning: often avoided because “Estate planning is too confusing” or “I don’t have anything to leave behind.” By having an estate plan, however, one offers one’s family members peace of mind during a difficult period.

Estate Planning: often avoided because “Estate planning is too confusing” or “I don’t have anything to leave behind.” By having an estate plan, however, one offers one’s family members peace of mind during a difficult period.

The four main documents in an estate plan are: Will, Trust, Durable Power of Attorney for Finances, and Advance Directive for Health Care.

A Will is a legal instrument that permits a person to make decisions on how their estate will be distributed after death. Without a Will, State laws dictate how the estate is distributed. A Will does not avoid probate (the court-overseen process for distributing a person’s estate); however, it will ensure your assets are distributed to the people you desire.

One of the simplest ways to avoid probate is through a Trust. The three main “players” in a Trust are the Settlor (the person who’s trust it is, i.e. you), Trustee (the manager of the trust), and Beneficiary. In a conventional living Trust, the Settlor, Beneficiary, and Trustee are initially the same person. It is only when the Settlor (you) becomes unable to handle their own financial affairs that a successor Trustee (chosen by you) takes over the management of the Trust. The Trust assets are used for your benefit, with the remainder beneficiaries receiving an interest in the Trust only after your death (the way your estate passes under a Will).

The Durable Power of Attorney for Finances (DPA) names the person responsible for managing non-trust finances in the event you are unable to manage them yourself. Even in a Trust-centered estate plan, the DPA plays an important role, governing the assets held outside the Trust. In the event of your incapacity, your successor Trustee will take over and manage your Trust assets while your agent under the DPA will manage all non-trust assets.

An Advance Directive for Health Care allows you to name an agent to speak with the doctors and make health care decisions for you if you are unable to make them on your own.

When properly drafted, an estate plan is a powerful tool not only in the event of person’s death but also during the person’s life. When deciding on a professional to assist you in drawing up your estate plan, be sure to choose someone who specializes in this area of law, so that your plan works effectively not only after your death but during your life as well.

Estate plans are designed to grow and develop as we do and should be reviewed periodically. I recommend reviewing your plan on an annual basis – you may not need to change it each year, but looking at it each will help keep it fresh in your mind, as well as help ensure any necessary changes are caught and addressed quickly.

Article Provided By:
Cheri Elson Sperber, Attorney at Law
Drescher
Elson Sperber, P.C.
info@AshlandOregonLaw.com
www.AshlandOregonLaw.com

 

 


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 Creative ways to save on healthcare costs for seniors

Feeling the pinch on your retirement pocketbook because of medical bills and healthcare needs? There are easier ways for seniors to stretch a dollar when it comes to their health and wellbeing. Don’t miss these 9 go-to tips:

Feeling the pinch on your retirement pocketbook because of medical bills and healthcare needs? There are easier ways for seniors to stretch a dollar when it comes to their health and wellbeing. Don’t miss these 9 go-to tips:

Find Out What Insurance Will Cover

Before you head to the pharmacy to buy a cane or walker over the counter, for example, find out if your insurance will cover the cost of one. With a direct medical order from a treating physician, insurance companies can cover some if not all of the cost of durable medical equipment or other healthcare products you may require.

Ask Your Doctor for Free Samples

One of those most expensive costs seniors cover is on medicine. Whether in need of a refill or starting a new prescription, it is worth asking your general practitioner or prescribing specialist if they have free samples in your dosage at their office that they can give you.

Get Free Preventative Care

An array of free preventative screenings, tests, and vaccinations are available to many seniors via their private health plans or Medicare. Save on medical costs down the line by taking preventative steps now with covered wellness checkups, colon, prostate, and breast cancer screenings, flu and pneumonia vaccines, and smoking-cessation counseling.

Rent Instead of Buy

Did you know that medical equipment is sometimes available to lease instead of purchasing? Mobility aids in particular are often available on a rent-to-buy basis, like a rental knee scooter or wheelchair. If recovering from injury or surgery, rental options might be more cost effective than a large upfront investment for medical equipment you will only need temporarily.

Offset Costs With Supplemental Income

Stretch your healthcare dollar by supplementing expenses with fresh income. Short of picking up a part-time job, seniors can also make extra cash selling collectibles and gently-used high dollar items online, tutoring or giving lessons for money, or renting out an extra room in their home.

Shop Online

Whether you’re looking to fill a doctor’s prescription or in need of a medical device you are paying for out of pocket, always look online. Prescription drugs are available internationally at a fraction of the cost you might pay at your own U.S. pharmacy, and with sites like PlanetDrugsDirect.com which require a prescription to process an order, the cheaper alternative is safe and legal. Online websites that sell medical equipment, vitamins, and other non-prescribed items often offer free shipping deals and discount promotions for first-time buyers too.

Get a Second Opinion

Thinking about investing in a high dollar piece of medical equipment or procedure your doctor has recommended? Sometimes it pays big to get a second opinion that helps you find a less expensive but just as effective alternative.

Use Coupons

Don’t pass by the coupon books and fliers your home pharmacy issues each month – they could help you with health care costs on vitamins, simple medical equipment, pain relief medications, incontinence supplies, and more. Websites like InternetDrugCoupons.com also offer you access to printable coupons you can use on a variety of medicines.

Get a Prescription

Some over the counter medicines, like those used to treat allergies, are also still available via prescription and can end up costing you way less when insurance is helping pick up the tab. In the same vein, generic versions of your brand name prescription might be just as effective for you but cost way less. Do a little research with your insurance provider and ask your physician to write you a prescription for effective, cheaper medicine that might otherwise cost you 5x as much off the aisle shelf.

Staying healthy as a senior shouldn’t break the bank. Simple tips, tricks and reminders can save you hundreds of dollars a year, if not more.

Article Provided by:
Joe Fleming
Co-Founder, Vive Health


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Anne Bellegia

Sooner, or later, we or a loved one will experience a loss of independent functioning that requires care, either in the home or in a residential setting. Retirement Connection is an invaluable source of Information about and resources for providing this care. Few plan ahead for the need for assistance and decisions often must be made quickly. Older adults and their loved ones would be wise to keep a current copy handy for this situation. Better still, they should consider using this guide right now to establish a plan. Choices and decisions made in haste are often not the best. Retirement Connection also contains information about products and services that address the needs of aging adults and help preserve their independence.

What is skilled nursing?

Is it the right time? What is skilled nursing? How much will it cost? These are great questions! Here is some basic information to get the answers you need!

Whether it’s a spouse, grandparent, sibling or dear friend, we all want what’s best for those we love. That’s why truth be told, we normally don’t think about skilled nursing facilities until the care they need is too much for ourselves or a caregiver to provide. Looking at skilled nursing facility placement, whether for a short stay post surgery or a more permanent arrangement, can be overwhelming.

Is it the right time? What is skilled nursing? How much will it cost? These are great questions! While answers may very slightly depending on the exact situation, here is some basic information that you can feel con dent using when looking into making this important decision.

What is skilled nursing?

A skilled nursing facility is designed to help care for patient’s who have needs which require 24-hour, 7 days a week nursing care including tube feeding, complex wound care, IV antibiotics, and daily therapy.

Candidates for skilled nursing are both those who have planned surgeries/ procedures (hip or knee replacement etc.) and those who have an acute and unplanned medical issue (UTI, sepsis, cellulitis, etc…) At the hospital, the patient will be assigned to a case manager who will be responsible for letting the patient and family know that skilled nursing is recommended, ask which facility they prefer and work with the facility of choice to facilitate the admission. Of course, always feel comfortable stopping in to see the Admission Coordinator at your local skilled nursing facility to ask any questions, discuss concerns and get a clear picture of how the admission process will look.

Not all skilled nursing residents are there for short-term rehabilitation from a surgery or illness. Some residents are there under what is called long-term care. Long-term care (LTC) is designed to care for those who will need round the clock nursing care for the foreseeable future. Usually, these residents have a terminal condition, disability, or illness which impacts their ability to safely manage activities of daily living. These types of admissions will also go through the Admission Coordinator at the skilled nursing facility, so they should be able to answer any and all questions you may have.

While most skilled nursing facility patients come after a hospital stay, it is possible to admit from home. If your loved one has met the qualifying hospital stay within the last 30 days, they may

be able to admit with help from their primary care provider. It is best to start by calling the skilled nursing facility of choice to review your options. They will walk you through the process from there.

How is it covered?

Medicare covers skilled nursing care as long as the patient meets what is called a “qualifying hospital stay”. This means that your loved one was an inpatient in a hospital for three consecutive midnights. It’s important to note that an emergency room visit, observation stay, and outpatient services do not count towards the qualifying stay. If the qualifying hospital stay is met, Medicare will pay for up to 100 days (as long as the patient meets skilled criteria). The rest 20 days are paid for 100% by Medicare, days 21-100 will have a co-pay; for 2017 the amount is $164.50 per day. If the patient has a supplemental insurance or Medicaid, that plan will often pick-up the co-pay for them.

Some people choose to have an insurance company manage their Medicare bene ts. Examples of these types of plans include Healthnet, Care Oregon, MODA and Regence MedAdvantage.

For someone who has these insurances, the qualifying hospital stay can be overridden if the insurance company feels it’s warranted. The assigned case manager at the hospital will work with the insurance company to get authorization. If the patient is coming from a doctor’s office or from home, the admissions coordinator along with the patient’s Primary Care Provider can work together to try and request an insurance authorization.

For someone looking for Long-Term Care placement, Medicaid is the most common payer. Anyone who doesn’t have Medicaid would most likely pay privately.

It’s important to remember that there are people who work in this profession/ industry and it’s their job to make sure this process isn’t any more dif cult than it needs to be. Never hesitate to call your local skilled nursing facility’s admissions coordinator to nd out if skilled nursing is the correct route to take for your loved one.

Article Provided by:
Hearthstone, Avalon Health Care Group
541-779-4221
www.avalonhealthcare.com


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3 reasons to start saving for senior care

You might not be thinking about saving for senior care just yet, we get it, you’re more concerned with saving for next year’s vacation. The trouble is if you’re not saving for your future, who is?

You might not be thinking about saving for senior care just yet, we get it, you’re more concerned with saving for next year’s vacation. The trouble is if you’re not saving for your future, who is? According to an Employee Bene t Research Institute (EBRI) survey in 2012, 60 percent of workers 55 and older have less than $100,000 saved for senior living options and 59 percent of workers age 35-44 have never even bothered to calculate what they need to save for retirement.

Here are three reasons you need to start saving for senior care now:

1. Keep your independence for financial support. If you start thinking about saving now, you won’t have to deal with one of the more common problems many seniors face today—outliving their assets and income. Unfortunately, this problem often results in putting a straining financial burden on children and families. An easy way to ensure that doesn’t happen is to start saving for retirement and senior care now, it’s never too early.

2. Don’t end up with less money than you need. The core logic is simple: if you save $1,000 every year for 40 years, you will end up with more than if you only saved for 20 years. Don’t rely on simply saving more in your later years. Also, keep in mind how much longer we are living today. Today in the U.S., females can expect to live to about 84 and males 81. Living longer directly correlates to needing to save more for retirement.

3. Keep the comfortable lifestyle you worked so hard to attain. Without enough money, when the time comes to decide on a plan for senior living you may struggle with:

  •  Fewer options for assisted or independent living
  • Less freedom to spend at pleasure/ leisure
  • Not being able to retire when you want to

Saving money early and planning for senior care financing means you can maintain the independence to decide how you want to live, without financial barriers limiting your options. Looking at the “big picture” early on will allow the future you deserve for both yourself and your children.

Don’t delay. Contact a financial planner and start a savings plan today. This information isn’t intended to be financial advice. Please consult a financial advisor.

Article Provided by:
Enlivant
www.enlivant.com
312-725-7000

 

 

Who “Needs” hearing aids?

If YOU want to hear better than you presently are, then you may be helped by hearing aids or some other assisted listening device.

It might sound shocking for a company that sells hearing aids to say this but, no one “NEEDS” hearing aids. The question that really matters is: DO YOU WANT TO HEAR BETTER? It doesn’t really matter how good or bad your hearing is, if YOU want to hear better than you presently are, then you may be helped by hearing aids or some other assisted listening device.

What really matters is if you have a problem that you want to be fixed. Of course, a hearing loss may progress so gradually that you don’t always notice how it affects you. Others might be more aware of the problems your hearing is causing both you and them. So, here’s a series of questions that may help you determine if you’re having trouble with your hearing.

1. Do you often ask others to repeat themselves?

2. Do you ever have dif culty hearing in a car?

3. Do you ever have dif culty hearing on the phone?

4. Do you ever have dif culty understanding family or friends voices?

5. Do others ever mention that you turn the radio or T.V. up too loud?

6. Do you nd it dif cult to understand conversations in noisy places?

7. Does it often sound as if people are mumbling?

8. Do you have dif culty hearing in group situations?

9. Do you avoid any situations because of a hearing dif culty?

10. Have you noticed any change in your memory?

11. Does your hearing dif culty cause you stress?

12. Do you ever feel that others avoid talking to you because of a hearing loss?

Everyone, even people with good hearing, are going to answer yes to a couple
of those questions, at least in certain situations. However, if you answered yes to ve or more of the above questions you may have a hearing loss that, at the very least, is beginning to have an impact on the quality of your life.

So, the next question you need to answer is: if you have a hearing loss, are you willing to try hearing aids or some other assisted listening device?

If no, here’s a couple things you should know about an untreated hearing loss:

Hearing loss can contribute to a loss of cognitive function. In other words, it may contribute to dementia. If you want to remain as healthy as possible, both physically and mentally, then you need to remain as physically, mentally and socially active as possible. Your brain needs exercise just like your muscles do. When you have an untreated hearing loss, your brain can’t get all the exercise it needs.

Article Provided by:

Nathan Willard, Hearing Aid Specialist,
SoundScape Hearing Aids
541-414-8488
www.SoundScapeHearing.com


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The Rogue Valley Council of Governments Senior and Disability Services (RVCOG SDS)

The Rogue Valley Council of Governments Senior and Disability Services (RVCOG SDS) is the gateway for anyone to access information and services.

The Rogue Valley Council of Governments Senior and Disability Services (RVCOG SDS) is the gateway for anyone to access information and services that will help people who:

  •  Are seniors or adults with disabilities.
  • Are family caregivers of seniors and people with disabilities.
  • Have parents, grandparents or other family members who are aging or have disabilities.
  • Have a neighbor or a friend who is aging or with disabilities.RVCOG is the designated Older Americans Act Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for Jackson and Josephine Counties. The AAA partners with the State Medicaid Long-Term Care and Financial Assistance programs which are directly provided by District 8 Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) at three sites in Jackson and Josephine Counties.SDS staff provide one-on-one consultation about a broad array of private and public-funded services that are either directly provided through or funded by RVCOG SDS, including
  • Healthy Aging–Services that lead people to improve or maintain 30 health.
  • Living Well – A six-week workshop provides personal skill building to improve the quality of life for those with chronic disease, diabetes, or pain.
  • Food & Friends – Nutritious meals served at meal sites across the two-county area or delivered to homebound individuals.
  • PEARLS – Program to Encourage Active and Rewarding Lives for Seniors provides in-home counseling for adults age 55 years and older and people with disabilities who are experiencing depression.
  • REACH OUT – A program serving older adults and people with disabilities who are experiencing behavioral health challenges. Provides assessments and connection to regional resources.
  • Community Living – A range of home and community-based residential care and service options for those needing help with activities of daily living, including options for financial assistance.
  • Options Counseling – This supportive, proactive and interactive counseling service helps people and their families make informed decisions about meeting current and future long-term care needs. Contact Carol Terry at 541-471-2863.
  • Legal Assistance/Guardianship – Legal aid and protection for individuals 60 and older through contracted agencies.
  • Respite Care for Family Caregivers –RVCOG provides a grant which can be used to give a brief period of rest and relief for family members, guardians or others who are caregivers. *Contact Adult Foster Home Licensing – ADRC for more information at 541-618-7572.

Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC)

  • Information and assistance via phone 541-618-7572 or website- adrcoforegon.org, including Options Counseling, to assist individuals and family members to think through choices.
  • Safety & Rights – Tools to protect people as they age and people with disabilities from harm, abuse, or catastrophe.
  • Disaster Registry – A voluntary registry for people who would need special assistance during a disaster. Contact Connie Saldana at 541-423-1383.
  • Adult Protective Services – Investigation of cases of possible abuse of seniors or adults with disabilities including follow-up and consultation.
  • Adult Foster Home Licensing- Licensing to assure state quality and safety standards are met.
  • Economic Stability – Ensure a person/family will gain a minimum level of financial stability.
  • Lifelong Housing Certi cation – RVCOG SDS has developed the first certificate for an accessible/universal design that would permit residents to age in place.
  • Medicaid– Determination of eligibility for help with medical costs (Oregon Health Plan) and, in some cases, long-term care services for seniors and adults with disabilities.
  • SNAP – Determination of eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps).

Article Provided by:
Rogue Valley Council of Governments Senior and Disability Services
541-664-6674


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A closer look at in-home care

care for loved ones is an important decision that should not be considered lightly, and in-home care is something to consider.

Deciding what type of long-term
care for loved ones is an important decision that should not be considered lightly, and in-home care is something to consider. If given the option to live one’s golden years in an institutional setting or in one’s own home, the majority of people would choose their own homes. There are many instances when home care is a perfectly appropriate and less expensive care choice than nursing home placement or a permanent move to a retirement or assisted living facility.

There’s no place like home

You don’t have to be Dorothy and Toto to understand this concept. Homes are often havens to people, representing an environment of familiarity and comfort. Home care promotes healing – research demonstrates that patients heal more quickly and comfortably at home versus in a hospital or nursing home setting and there is slightly less chance of re-hospitalization when recuperation is at home.

More for your money

According to the Genworth Annual Cost of Care Survey, on average, the annual cost to stay in a nursing home far exceeds the annual cost of home care. A good rule across the board is that eight hours a day or less of home care will be less expensive than moving elsewhere. Many people fail to realize that nursing home care and other types of long-term care, including long-term home care, are not covered by Medicare. However, if you are qualified, Medicaid may cover home care costs.

Providing peace of mind

Home care services are delivered one- on-one assuring more private attention than in a nursing home or a facility. Also, using a home care agency that carefully screens and trains all caregivers and provides ongoing supervision can help provide families with peace of mind that their loved ones are in good hands.

Assurance of a healthy lifestyle

A home caregiver can be effective in promoting and ensuring a healthy lifestyle. Home caregivers produce healthy and nutritional meals that appeal to the individual. In addition, a personalized daily exercise program can be implemented and followed through with the added safety of a qualified professional being present.

Dignity + Independence = Higher quality of life

In-home care fosters dignity and independence, these are important ingredients for a happy lifestyle. Home care can offer personalized care tailored to the needs of the family and individual on any given day whether the needs are as simple as companionship or more complex, such as personal care. With the additional benefit of accompaniment on transportation to and from various appointments, social activities or errands, home care allows families more free time together.

Article Provided by:
All Care In-Home Care Solutions
541-857-9195
www.allcareonline.com

 


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Seek First to Understand

“The less you respond to rude, critical, argumentative people…the more peaceful your life will become.” ~Mandy Hale

We can not control the thoughts and words of others, but we can control how we chose to respond. Seek first to understand that the other person may be struggling or in pain themselves and you were simply a more accessible target. Be strong enough to take the hit, because the hurtful person may have needed that from you and feel good about yourself for helping them get it out.