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Retirement lifestyle: What community is right for you?

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Today’s Retirement Communities are more like cruise ships than nursing homes! Retirement lifestyle is full of fun, food, adventure, and entertainment day after day. The funny thing is that it also reflects what doctors’ advise- socializing, good food, rest, exercise, and reducing your stress.

Today’s Retirement Communities are more like cruise ships than nursing homes! Retirement lifestyle is full of fun, food, adventure, and entertainment day after day. The funny thing is that it also reflects what doctors’ advise- socializing, good food, rest, exercise, and reducing your stress. Hmmm!
Who would have guessed! Many residents’ health indexes improve.

Retirement Communities offer a new lifestyle by breaking free from the clinical institutional structure of a nursing home and moving toward life on a cruise ship!  The retirement lifestyle includes Activity Programs which are a key part of the recipe of “living it up.” So how do you evaluate an Activity Program for quality? 

What to look for:

  • Number of people-The size of the community can impact the quality of the Activity Program. You need enough people to have a robust schedule of events.
  • Number of events– How many events are available every day? Are there Blank Days? For example, many communities don’t have anything happening on the weekends.
  • Are there activities inside the community as well as outside the community? Are there day trips with destinations like public gardens, museums, theatres, baseball stadiums, casinos?
  • Are there options for people with less physicality or very physically fit? Are there options for people with no cognitive loss or some cognitive changes in their brains?
  • Is there diversity in the type of activities? Are there activities for Heart (Socials and Support groups), Mind (Adult Learning Opportunities), Body (Exercise Programs), Spirit (Religious and Spiritual gatherings)?
  • Is there recognition of cultural and ethnic differences?
  • Are there activities that your family or friend can share in?
  • Do the Residents inform the plan? Or is this the same program that was developed five years ago?
  •  Is there evaluation? Do Residents get a chance to evaluate the quality of the Activity Program?

As the industry advances, so do the expectations. In addition to entertainment events and parties, self-development has become an added component: exercise programs, classes, etc… This is a thrust of moving participants from observation (on the sidelines) to involvement (on the court). Today, an even higher standard of participation is sought after by seniors. Leaders in the industry talk about engagement. Engagement is being involved and sharing your passion. Aliveness is a measure of joy, contentment, and participation in day to day life with others. It’s all about living life your way.

Article Provided by:
Garden Court Retirement Community
425-438-9080
www.GardenCourtRetirement.com

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Living a purposeful and meaningful life

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For the first time, younger seniors are considering a move earlier in order to afford a retirement with meaning and purpose. A Life Plan Community offers a meaningful life designed to meet this new trend.

Living a purposeful and meaningful life is starting to appeal to aging consumers, as they encounter a new vernacular as they explore the next chapter of living options. While living actively, baby boomers often desire lifestyles different from those of their parents. For the first time, younger seniors are considering a move earlier in order to afford a retirement with meaning and purpose. A Life Plan Community offers a meaningful life designed to meet this new trend.

A Life Plan Community, formerly known as a CCRC, is registered as an age-restricted community, which provides active living through multiple living and care needs, while integrated into the community through social accountability. A Life Plan Community offers all levels of living, from independent cottage and apartment living, to living with assistance and long-term care. In 2015, the NameStorm task force determined that the senior housing industry needed to shift the vernacular from CCRC to Life Plan Community in order to place a stronger emphasis on healthy and active living. 

Contract options vary. A Life Care contract typically means an upfront buy-in, in addition to monthly rent, where seniors are guaranteed all levels of living options including health care in a skilled nursing neighborhood.  Type B or modified month-to-month type rental agreements are offered at a Life Plan Community.  In addition, a Type C contract means fee-for-service.

Many benefits come with a Life Plan Community, but with society living longer; often the care needs of one spouse determine the living options for the couple. A Life Plan Community addresses these needs and provides options for both.

Living options at a Life Plan Community include:

  • Independent Living: Available in a variety of floor plans and prices ranges, includes apartment or cottage style living with access to wellness programs and enrichment throughout the community.
  • Assisted Living: Private one bedroom or studio apartments are located in a licensed area of the community and provide around the clock care for aging adults who need additional assistance with their activities of daily living.  Meal preparation, medication reminders, bath-aid, and socialization are some of the amenities.
  • Skilled Nursing Care/Long Term Care: An acute care facility-licensing requirements are much more stringent offering nursing care, rehabilitation therapy, and long-term living care. Rehabilitation, hospice, and pain management to name a few.

Adults 62 years and older find vibrancy, meaning, and engagement when their lives are enriched by cognitive stimulation, physical exercise, and healthy eating. To find a Life Plan Community near you visit: www.leadingage.org

Article Provided by:
Crista Senior Living
206-546-7565
www.cristwood.org

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Grief: 10 Things NOT to say to someone grieving

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Grief is when someone close to us dies or begins hospice, it pulls on our heart, distracts our mind, and affects us physically. As a result, we feel fragile, or helpless. Well-intentioned friends try to console us, but struggle with what to say

Grief is when someone close to us dies or begins hospice, it pulls on our heart, distracts our mind, and affects us physically. As a result, we feel fragile, or helpless. Well-intentioned friends try to console us, but struggle with what to say. With recent experience being on the other side, I’d like to offer a few suggestions for what NOT to say to someone new to grief, and provide a few alternative comments.

1. “Cheer up. Your loved one wouldn’t want you to be sad.” When you care deeply for someone, you grieve deeply. You may need to be sad in order to get to the other side of grief.

2. “Focus on all the positive things in your life.” Even if someone appreciates the good things, that doesn’t change the feeling of monumental loss.

3.“She’s in a better place.” Even though the afterlife may seem spectacular, it doesn’t change the fact that my loved one is no longer with me, and I am sad because I have experienced that loss.

4.“Focus on all the good times.” Thinking about past memories can be painful, when you are realizing that you no longer have the opportunity to create new memories.

5. “How about those Seahawks?” Keeping conversations light is not a bad thing (depending on timing), but those grieving need someone who is willing to let them be real; someone who isn’t afraid to talk about the heavier topics.

6. “I know how you feel.” Sometimes a grieving person does not even know how they feel, so don’t pretend you do.

7. “She lived a full life.” Even if the person leaves an amazing legacy, it doesn’t account for time taken away.

8. “Call me if you need anything.” Instead, suggest a specific thing you will do- I will stop by next Wednesday with dinner, I will pick the kids up from school next week.

9. “She would not want you to be sad.” You honestly do not know what  someone else would want or how they would act.

10.“How are you doing?” This seems well intentioned, but it really just grazes the surface and 25 other people have already asked the question.

The common thread of the above comments is that it may feel that we are trying to minimize the situation.

Instead, try any of these:

  • I’m so sorry for your loss.
  • One of my favorite memories was when she…
  • I can’t imagine what you’re going through.
  • I don’t know how you feel, but I am here to help in whatever way you need me.
  • I wish I had the right words to say. Just know I care.

Personally, I had to learn to spend less time talking and more time listening.

Article Provided by:
www.RetirementConnection.com

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How to choose a trustee

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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

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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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