Leslie Newlife

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost? The Ultimate Guide

Did you know that almost 1 million people are living in residential care communities? If you or a loved one has been considering assisted living, you likely want to know whether or not you can afford it.

So exactly how much does assisted living cost? Sadly, there’s no easy answer to this question. But to get you closer to an estimate, we made this article.

In it, we’ll break down everything you need to know about assisted living costs. That way, you can decide if it’s a viable solution to your situation.

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost on Average?

Unfortunately, there’s no specific average when it comes to assisted living costs. Often, when you start looking, you’ll only get broad ranges or starting prices for elderly care.

Most of the time, you can expect assisted living facilities to charge between $3,000 and $6,000 per month. The average cost is around $4,300 per month.

If this is the first time you’re seeing the cost of assisted living, you might be wondering why it’s so expensive.

The answer is because of all the things included with it. We’ll go into more detail about what’s included in the next section.

What Amenities Are Included With the Cost?

The main thing you’re paying for with assisted living homes is the cost of care. With assisted living facilities, you’re getting less care than a nursing home, but more than you’d get with a home health aide.

The employees of the facility help you with your daily living activities. This includes things like eating, dressing, bathing, moving, toileting, and continence.

However, many assisted living facilities also come with amenities. The benefits of assisted living can often increase the price. This includes things like:

  • Daily housekeeping
  • Laundry services
  • Restaurant-style meals
  • Television packages
  • Enrichment programs
  • Transportation services
  • Wellness programs
  • Emergency call systems

Make sure you contact the specific assisted living facility you’re interested in to see what’s included with the price. You should also try scheduling a tour to see these benefits for yourself.

What Factors Affect the Cost?

The first thing that affects assisted living prices is the state you live in. If you live in a more populated area, then the cost of the facilities is likely to be higher.

That’s why in Washington D.C., the cost of assisted living per month is almost $7,000 per month, while in Missouri it’s $3,000.

However, a more common factor in determining the cost is the level of care that you or your loved one requires. If a resident requires a lot of hands-on care, you can expect their cost per month to increase.

Similarly, if a resident is fairly independent, it won’t be as expensive. So how do facilities determine the level of care that someone requires?

Typically, they do this by asking a lot of questions about their daily routine. You can expect a lot of care assessments to include questions like:

  • Does the individual require help with bathing?
  • Is the individual able to dress by themselves?
  • Does the individual require help with grooming?
  • How mobile are they?
  • Are they able to handle their incontinence?
  • Do they need help eating?
  • Can they do their laundry?
  • What medications do they take?

If you or your loved one needs help with some or all of these things, it’ll be more expensive. The last thing that determines the cost is the size and nature of the facility.

The more square footage you’re getting, the more expensive it’ll be. Similarly, the more amenities included, the more costly it’ll be.

How Can You Pay for Assisted Living?

If you’re like many families, you might be overwhelmed by the cost of assisted living. If you’re able to, you might be able to get your assisted living covered by Medicaid.

All you need to do is take a free eligibility test to see if you qualify. Here are some of the other ways you may be able to pay for it:

  • Veteran’s benefits
  • Life insurance
  • Pooling together your family resources
  • Long-term care insurance
  • Annuities
  • A reverse mortgage
  • Renting out an old home
  • Bridge loans

Make sure to discuss your financing options with the assisted living facility you’re interested in. They may be able to point you toward programs or other resources that can help you pay.

How to Find the Right Assisted Living Facilities

Getting your search started for the right assisted living facility can be challenging. The important thing is to break it down into manageable parts.

First, lay out the budget you or your family have for the accommodations. This will help cross off some of the more expensive options right off the bat.

Next, you should make sure that you like the location and surroundings. For example, this assisted living community is close to theaters, shops, and even a baseball stadium. If walking to areas is important to you, then you should avoid facilities that are isolated.

Finally, you should make sure that they can accommodate the level of care that you or your loved one requires. Ideally, you’ll have a shortlist of some good candidates in your area.

Once you have a few, call each of them. Schedule a visit and tour the facilities. If it seems like a good fit, you can start the application process.

Enjoy Learning About Assisted Living Costs?

We hope this article helped you answer the question, “how much does assisted living cost?”

As you can see, assisted living isn’t cheap. With this solution, you’re essentially paying for both housing and healthcare.

The good news is that there are a lot of funding options for people in need of financial assistance. So call your local assisted living facility and see what they can do today.

We hope you found this guide informative. Keep exploring our website to learn more about subjects like this one.

4 Common Scams Targeting Older Adults and How to Recognize Them

Scammers are targeting people every day in ways you may not recognize. They target all age groups, but the most at-risk age community is seniors. Some target elders because they often have more net worth. Based on a CNBC report, the median household net worth in the U.S. is $121,700, but it’s almost double that for those in their late 50s and early 60s.

Older adults are most vulnerable to financial scammers around retirement age. Some scammers target low-income, financially vulnerable seniors—a group likely to fall for such idyllic offers. While most scammers are strangers, in some cases, they’re friends or family.

Here are four common scams seniors should look out for:

1. Imposter Scams

Imposter scams are one of the most common amongst seniors. They tend to impersonate an important person that you trust, such as the IRS or the Social Security Administration. Imposter scammers call to trick you into sharing personal information like your bank information, password, or your social security number. They also pretend to be someone you know personally to persuade you into sharing confidential information. According to consumer.gov, imposters may call and say:

  • They’re calling from a tech support company about a problem with your computer

  • You owe money to the IRS or another government agency

  • You just won a prize but you have to pay fees to get the prize

  • A friend is in trouble and needs your help

In some cases, victims of these scams are threatened with legal actions if they don’t follow directions. In other cases, imposter scammers may call from an unknown caller ID or a scam-likely caller ID. Unfortunately, these scams often end with a large amount of stolen money that you are highly unlikely to get back. That’s why it’s important to recognize scams and never share personal information or wire money. As a reminder, the IRS will never ask for personal information through the phone, so if you get a call that claims to be the IRS asking for this, hang up immediately and report it to the FTC.

2. Medicare Scams

Medicare scams involve imposters that pretend to be medical representatives trying to get elders’ personal or medical information. Scammers also may call to provide Medicare benefits and discounted plans that aren’t truly medically insured. Coinciding websites that appear trustworthy are also often used to trick elders that aren’t tech-savvy.

If you receive a call from a person claiming to be Medicare personnel asking for your social security number or similar signs, call your insurance company or Medicare to ensure you haven’t been scammed.

3. Credit Card Interest Rate Reduction Scams

Credit card scams are mostly robocalls that target seniors by offering them interest rate reductions on their credit cards to help pay off debt. They will even offer zero interest rates to trick you into acting fast by paying a fee. In some instances scammers will run a check deposit scam, presenting seniors with a fraudulent loan advertisement that results in a check being deposited for a loss. In other instances, scammers claim that they only need to confirm your credit card information to complete the offer. Robocall scams tend to ask for credit card numbers, social security numbers, and related personal information. These scams may affect your long-term financial options. For instance, if you truly are interested in paying off debt by consolidating it through a personal loan, you’ll need to meet a minimum loan credit score. However, your ability to do so after succumbing to this type of scam may be very difficult due to the impact they have on your credit score.

Be careful when sharing your credit card information, especially with companies claiming to lower interest rates. Sharing your personal information with the wrong person could be detrimental to your credit history and future finances.

4. Tech Support Scams

Tech support scams are the most common for seniors.  This method aims to deceive elders through technology because they assume seniors have little to no technology or cybersecurity knowledge. A pop-up message could appear on your computer saying your device is at risk of a virus or your documents are encrypted by providing a number. When you call the number, they ask for information to access your computer or for you to pay to fix the problem. It’s important to avoid opening the pop-ups that want to “help” you.

It’s unsettling to know that these four common scams target vulnerable seniors and abuse their unfamiliarity to commit fraud. These scams can cause significant financial loss to many elders. It’s crucial to look for signs and protect yourself, your personal information, and your money. It’s also beneficial to help any family member that may be a victim of money scammers by providing them with the necessary knowledge needed.

5 Tips to Help Seniors With Estate Planning: How to Choose an Executor

If you own a property, estate planning is something you will do at some point in your life. Especially, if you are a senior citizen, you might have already started wondering how to allocate your assets, be it your land, house, car, or even money in your bank account, and where to look for help.

The most important thing that you’ll need for estate planning is an executor or an estate planning lawyer. Whom to choose depends mostly on where you live.

In this article, we have covered everything you need to know about estate planning.

What is Estate Planning?

The process of arranging tasks to handle a person’s assets in incapacity or death is known as estate planning. Everything from transferring assets to heirs to paying estate taxes is part of the planning process.

The majority of estate plans are developed with the help of a lawyer who specializes in estate planning. You can also reach out to specialized firms for this purpose. An example is McLaren Law Firm in New Orleans.

Let’s check out what estate planning for seniors entails:

  • Deciding how a person’s possessions will be kept, managed, and distributed when they die or become incompetent.
  • Making a will, establishing trusts, and/or arranging charitable gifts to reduce inheritance taxes, appointing an executor and beneficiaries, and making funeral arrangements are all examples of planning responsibilities.
  • A will is a legal document that specifies how an individual’s property and, if applicable, the custody of young children should be handled after death.
  • Various strategies, such as trusts and charitable donations, can reduce estate taxes.

How Can An Executioner Help?

If you are a senior or looking to help your elderly parents, there are several things you should consider. One of the most critical considerations elderly people make when putting together an estate plan is who will be their estate’s executor.

An executor’s job is to administer a person’s estate. To minimize family turmoil and to ensure that the individual’s final wishes are carried out, it’s vital to hire the right person for the task.

Of course, your executor should be someone you trust, but what other qualities should you look for? Start your estate planning early and consider the following factors before making a choice.

1) Choose an Executor Who Lives Nearby

First and foremost, your executor should be near you, both in terms of your connection and geographically.

While dealing with your estate from afar isn’t impossible, it might be more challenging. Therefore, an executor will be someone who ideally lives in your neighborhood.

You could already have a spouse or child in mind when it comes to your relationship. If not, you might be able to enlist the help of a trusted friend. For example, if you live in New Orleans, it’s best if your executor lives in the same state. For any urgent changes or paperwork, it would be really difficult for someone who lives in Florida.

2) It is Preferable That Your Executor is Young and Healthy

If the individual is close to your age or in bad health, a spouse or friend may not be the best choice. It could be better to ask someone who will be there after you’re gone, such as a younger person in good health.

3) Your Executor Should Know Basic Finances

Your executor must have experience managing money, negotiating with financial institutions, and keeping thorough records. They’ll have to meet a lot of deadlines as well.

The ideal executor is trustworthy, honest, patient, well-organized, and capable of handling much paperwork.

4) Make Sure Your Executor is Willing to Help

You could have the perfect person in mind, but you’re unsure if they’ll have the time or motivation to go through the lengthy probate process. Being an executor can sound fun but can get heavy on someone if they are not 100% willing to help as it involves a ton of responsibilities.

If your designated executor declines, the court will appoint someone else. If your executor has little experience with financial or legal issues, they must be ready to research and learn about the estate settlement process.

5) Your Executor Should Be Open-Minded

Your executor should be open to learning new things if they don’t know something. You must pick someone who will seek out professional help when necessary.

Whether or not your executor has prior financial experience, they must feel at ease requesting professional assistance when necessary. They should be able to hire an accountant or an attorney at your estate’s expense if they require help with the probate procedure.

Another thing to keep in mind is that, even if your executor is open-minded, they should have strong opinions and are not easily influenced by others. It is quite common that there would be issues within the family and when it comes to allocating possessions, the family members may interfere.

A naive executor can be a huge problem in this case. So make sure your executor can keep their calm, listen to what family members have to say, and then make a decision on their own according to will.

Choosing a Third-Party Executor

If you still can’t determine who should be your estate’s executor, consider appointing a third-party executor, such as an estate planning lawyer. They are professionals and experienced and can help you out with figuring out the estate plan that would be the most fruitful for you.

Even though they will charge you some fees, they are sure to get your job done perfectly.

Conclusion

Estate planning is crucial for everyone but can be quite confusing. If you are a senior, it would be much more of a hassle for you to make sense of all the legalities.

The most important thing is to get a trustworthy and helpful executor who will be there to help you and make allocations according to your wish when you are gone.

If you don’t think someone in your family or friends would not make a good choice, opt for a professional lawyer who can make the best moves on  behalf of your possessions.

The Different Types of Dementia in Elderly Individuals

As people get older, they become more susceptible to developing dementia, which is a grouping of changes in the brain that cause immense amounts of memory loss. Due to the progression of losing memories, relationships between the diagnosed individual and family members or caregivers can face severe impacts.

There is a way to lessen the impacts, however – and that is through learning about the different types of dementia.

When family members and others providing care have educated themselves, it allows them to better support the diagnosed individual in all aspects of life. Continue reading for a closer look at the various types of dementia – some that you may have never even heard of.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Above all, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common kind (and cause) of dementia experienced by the elderly. By cause, this means that Alzheimer’s develops first and ultimately creates the changes in the brain that are known as dementia(s).

Defined by the death of brain cells, Alzheimer’s envelops a range of early signs, including:

  • Symptoms of depression
  • Mood swings and/or a generally depressed mood
  • Forgetting names, dates, and recent events or happenings
  • Trouble walking and speaking

Especially considering the decline in speech and navigation, home care alternatives may be a solution that family members did not know they needed. If you are a family member, knowing the signs of dementia will make it a simpler journey in finding a caregiver that can work alongside your loved one in the comfort of their own living space.

Vascular Dementia

Among the types of dementia, vascular dementia comes in as the second most common one. Vascular dementia sparks severe declines in an individual’s cognitive abilities, including speech, reasoning, awareness, and memory.

Other kinds of dementia have stages that make the changes easy to track and monitor as time moves forward. With vascular dementia, that is not the case – there is a wide range of symptoms, but no typical or linear progression. Common signs of vascular dementia include:

  • Trouble paying attention
  • Symptoms of depression
  • Frequently getting lost
  • Confusion
  • Difficulty doing tasks that were once easy
  • Misplacing items, regardless of their importance
  • Trouble controlling urination
  • Changes in displayed behaviors, mood, and/or personality
  • Problems with organization

Among these symptoms come plenty more, but it is important to know most of the common ones.

Mixed Dementia

When an individual has mixed dementia, this means they are experiencing a multitude of symptoms from a multitude of dementias. In simpler terms, for example, they could be experiencing signs of vascular dementia, normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease all at once.

Because every one person is different than the next, symptoms of mixed dementia are hard to determine. However, nearly 22 percent of elderly individuals specifically live with Mixed Vascular-Alzheimer’s Dementia (MVAD).

Know the Types of Dementia

While only three common types of dementia were discussed in depth here, there are many more out there. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, for example, is a kind of dementia and it is one of the rarest forms.

If you are a family member or someone providing care to an elderly individual with dementia, knowing the types is important. Each type has its own set of signs, which can be useful in determining a course of dementia treatment.

Did you find this article helpful? Discover more informative content like this on our website.

Indoor Activities for Seniors Living in a Nursing Home

Unfortunately, you can’t enjoy spending time outdoors every day. Mother Nature sometimes has other plans, and that is why it is important to have indoor activities for seniors living in a nursing home. Elderly loved ones want to enjoy things while in an assisted living facility, especially on rainy days.

Book Club

Who doesn’t love a good book? Many seniors living in a nursing home have an infinity for reading. An excellent way to interact with other residents is hosting or organizing a book club. Weekly book club meetings give seniors something to look forward to.

Live Music

Many seniors spent the better part of their years enjoying live music. Bring this experience back for them by welcoming cover bands that play music from the era of music they listened to. Live music is a straightforward way to bring smiles to the residents’ faces and allow them to enjoy their afternoon reminiscing about music from their younger years.

Game Night Tournaments

Many assisted living facilities have board games on hand to occupy some residents. Get everyone involved with an exciting game night tournament. These friendly competitions allow residents to tap back into their competitive side and exercise their problem-solving skills.

Card Making & Scrapbooking

Busting out the arts and crafts supplies is easily one of the most fun activities for many seniors. Assist residents in creating elegant cards or scrapbooks with old photos and art supplies. You can even spruce up some projects with satin ribbon. Setting up an arts and crafts opportunity is especially wonderful before holidays, as it allows residents to create thoughtful homemade gifts for their families.

Senior Olympics

This super cool idea brings physical exercise to a whole new level. Incorporate a fun concept into exercise for an effortless healthy indoor activity that makes the rainy day fly by. You can make an entire day of tournaments, offer awards, or create teams. Some exercise ideas include chair yoga, water aerobics, and dancing.

Talent Show

This indoor activity for seniors living in a nursing home allows them to show off their impressive skills and favorite pastimes. Hosting a talent show fuels passion for hobbies the resident might have forgotten about. Talent shows will help them feel young again and act as a group activity that can include everyone.

Indoor hobbies and events for seniors are perfect for crummy rainy days or weekend activities. Showcasing these activities is a thoughtful and well-considered gesture that will delight seniors and encourage them to feel young again. And, if you’re planning ahead for when the weather clears, discover our list of activities seniors will adore in sunny Florida!

Useful Home Modifications for Older People in Your Family

Moving out and being taken care of elsewhere is not always someone’s first choice when aging in place. Spending time with the family has its merits, but ensuring that it doesn’t come with added risks is essential when caring for your loved ones. These useful home modifications for older people in your family serve as a guide to protect your home and prevent unwanted accidents where you least expect them.

Keep It Easy to Reach

Often, reaching for different appliances or tools gets tricky for seniors. Ensure that the most used items in your home are easy to get to without the aid of a stool or the need to reach. This decreases the odds of slipping or falling in the kitchen. This is not exclusive to one room; things like soap in bathrooms or paper towel rolls in the kitchen should all be in easy-to-reach cabinets or drawers to keep the process simple and safe.

Transform a Room

By changing the living areas in your home a little bit, you can keep your older family members safe. If you can, try giving your older family member a room on the first floor. The less walking up and down the stairs that they need to do, the better. However, if it is not possible to avoid it, consider safeguarding your stairs with stair treads to increase the footing on each step and prevent possible trips or slips when using them. These serve to benefit everyone else in your home as well.

Use Intercoms

Consider installing a wireless voice-activated device in your home to communicate freely and without confusion. Cell phones can take time to use properly for someone who isn’t used to operating them. Because of this, using a voice-activated intercom or smart home technology enables quick and easy communication should it be necessary. easy communication should it be necessary. Considering vision insurance for your loved one can also help aid and improve their quality of life, which can in turn improve cell phone use to minimize the use of intercoms. These are helpful when you need to notify the family for dinner or just check up on someone’s well-being.

Provide an Alert System

Among the many useful home modifications for older people in your family you can make, a medical alert system is the most important out of them all. Having a medical alert system on hand at all times aids significantly in ensuring your loved ones get the help they need immediately should an accident occur. By keeping this on hand and in the rooms they use most, you can tend to your duties or tasks without worrying about leaving them alone.

There are many reasons to consider home health care, and being able to stay connected with your family is one of them. Reminding them how much you care by keeping their surroundings as safe as possible provides a feeling of safety and love. Many aspects of life change over the course of these years, but the one constant always remains: the genuine care a family shares.

Benefits of Cold Therapy for Seniors

According to James Vaupel, an American scientist in the field of aging research, seniors are living longer, healthier lives. Much of this is because many seniors are making better choices and proactively improving their longevity through adopting healthier routines. 

Millions of seniors in the US are striving to enhance their health as well as stay fit and active by exploring alternative therapies.  One such therapy known as cold therapy, has started to become a popular and attractive option for seniors.  But what are the benefits of cold therapy for seniors, and is it a good option for you?  Here are a few things to know about cold therapy so you can make the decision for yourself.

What is Cold Therapy?

Sometimes called cryotherapy, cold therapy is used in many ways to treat a variety of conditions.  Medical studies show that when the human body is exposed to cold temperatures it triggers a physiological state called hormesis.  Hormesis is a biological survival response humans have when subjected to extreme conditions.  Medical studies show that when hormesis is achieved through cold therapy sessions, it can actually strengthen the body. 

Then, there are other less-extreme forms of cold therapy that can deliver impressive health-improving results to seniors.  From alleviating pain, reducing swelling, and combating inflammation, the use of cold to treat common ailments has been put into play for thousands of years. 

Benefits of Cold Therapy on Seniors

There is quite a bit of research on cold therapy, but there are still more studies that need to take place about its effects on seniors. Nevertheless, here are some ways seniors are experiencing the benefits of cold therapy, and how it could be a solution for you too.

Fight Inflammation and Pain

A common complaint for many seniors is chronic pain, achy joints and sore spots in the body.  Studies show that applying a cold press to tight, painful areas of the body can minimize swelling, reduce pain and relieve inflammation.  If you suffer from muscle or joint discomfort, look into the healing effects of a Breg Polar Care Cube. This is a therapeutic device that provides hours of soothing, cool temps to affected areas when you wrap it around troublesome joints or muscles.  

Improve Mood and Alertness

If you’ve ever felt a shock after jumping into a cold pond, then you have just experienced the clarifying benefits of cold water therapy.  Being exposed to a short burst of cold water has a way of being very energizing and can temporarily jolt you out of brain fog.  The reason being is that the body responds to the cold by releasing endorphins which not only make you feel more alert, they can also boost your mood.

Boost Immunities

A study co-conducted by Dr. Johannes van der Hoeven, a chief professor of the Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands, showed that exposing the body to cold water such as immersion pools or regular cold showers triggers the production of cytokines.  Cytokines are small proteins that play a big role in the body’s ability to combat autoimmune diseases.  In the study, van der Hoeven noticed that subjects who were regularly exposed to cold conditions showed a spike in cytokines as well as white blood cell activity which stimulates the lymph system, thus boosting immune systems.

Improved Sleep

When you sleep, your body temperature drops, which is a natural and critical function that helps you fall asleep.  A study published by Medical News Today revealed that insomniacs lack this involuntary trait to lower body temperature, therefore they are unable to fall asleep.  The article goes on to say that when insomniacs were studied while wearing “cooling caps,” (headgear that keeps the head cool), they were better able to get a full phase of sleep. 

If you are struggling with less sleep, as many seniors are apt, you might want to look into using cold therapy for a better night’s sleep.  You can do this by sleeping in a room with cool temperatures.  Or, you can look into getting a cooling pillow that will keep your head cooler to help you get sufficient sleep.

Are Cold Therapy Treatments Right for You?

In the final analysis, your choice to practice cold therapy should depend upon your needs, and the results you see from it.  If you decide to try localized or whole-body cold therapy treatments, do consult your physician before adding cold therapy to your health routine.

Here’s What to Look for in a Senior Care Facility

We all hope to grow old gracefully. But time and age care nothing about grace, or about our sensibilities and hopes. There are a few things you can do to increase the chances of a positive aging experience. But at the end of the day, the outcome is out of your hands. You might not be lucky enough to enjoy the final years of your life independently in your own home. Seeing how your aging parents manage the process can help you better prepare for your own golden years. 

If you are in the sandwich generation bracketed on both ends by dependents, you might find it infeasible to take in your aging parents and properly care for your children. One of the hardest choices you will have to make is placing your parents in senior housing to give everyone a chance at their best life. Once you decide that is the way things have to go, you have to make an even tougher decision: Which senior housing option do you choose? If you don’t know what to look for, this can be a daunting decision. It is a little easier when you can imagine that it is you in their place. What would be the most important considerations for you? That list will very likely include the following:

A Modern Package Handling Solution

You are going to want to send your parents parcels that are bigger than a tiny envelope. You do not want them to have to go pick it up at a carrier location, or take a chance missing the package because they were out and about. If they get a lot of their purchases through Amazon, they will also need access to painless returns. 

Before signing any rental agreements, check out the package room and be sure that all of the important boxes are checked:

  • Video surveillance for security
  • Easy accessibility
  • Simple to use app
  • Accommodation for any size package

One of the biggest challenges for people living in multi-family housing is packaging handling. It is also one of the biggest challenges for the management of said housing. If you manage a senior care facility, this type of package room can be a real life saver because you will no longer have to divert staffing resources from other key functions such as maintenance, safety, and providing a better overall experience to the clients and their families. If a modern package handling solution is not on offer, keep looking. Your loved ones deserve better.

Fast Internet Connectivity

Because of carrier contracts and inscrutable broadband laws, much of the population is restricted to one or two carrier options. That means that not every place is created equally when it comes to internet connectivity. There are enormous obstacles to broadband adoption in many places. Try to avoid such places when looking for a home for your aging parents.

A blazing fast internet connection is not just for gamers with too much time on their hands. One of the most cherished forms of communication for parents is the video call. A common complaint from people living in senior facilities is the feeling of being cut off from the people they love. A video call helps in bridging that gap. You also have to realize that today’s senior citizens are a lot more tech savvy. We already have Twitter and Facebook seniors. The next generation will be Tik-Tok and snapchat seniors. Their connectivity needs are the same as yours. Be sure that is available to them.

Ways to Remain Active

One of the biggest determiners of a long and healthy life is the amount of activity you do. Rocking chairs are good for short-term relaxation, but bad for long-term health. If a senior living facility is rich in rocking chairs and poor in activities, it is the wrong place for your parents. There should be signs of healthy outdoor life. Seniors should be encouraged to go on walks, do yoga, and other light activities. Anything that encourages healthy motion is typically a good thing for anyone. People get less active as they get older. Beside their new home is one that encourages activity.

Aging is never fun nor easy. But it can be less painful when you prioritize package handling, broadband connectivity, and physical activity.

The Sandwich Generation: 4 Ways to Effectively Care for Aging Parents

The sandwich generation faces a unique set of challenges. Along with looking after your children, focusing on work, and managing your social life, you also have the responsibility of taking care of your aging parents. The demands of daily life can already be difficult enough, and the added burden of caregiving can be overwhelming. However, there are effective ways to manage this transition. Here are a few ways to effectively care for aging parents while balancing your other responsibilities.

 Assess Their Needs

 The first step in effectively caregiving for your parents is assessing their needs and determining how you can help. Depending on their health conditions, your level of involvement may vary. When assessing your parents’ needs, consider their existing medical conditions, mobility, home safety, cognitive health, and proximity to family. How much support do they currently have and where do they need additional assistance?

After doing this, you’ll want to decide how you can best help your parents and create a plan to care for them. Do you have the proper resources available to help? For instance, if you live far away you may need to hire an in-home caregiver, consider having your parents move in with your family, or have them move into an assisted living facility. Remember, even if you can’t provide direct care for your parents, arranging assistance for them still shows your support and love.

However you decide to care for your parents, involve them in the conversation and decision-making process. This will help them retain a sense of control over their lives and help determine their preferences for care. Considering your parents’ wants and needs will make the transition easier on both ends and make them less resistant to change.

 Lean on Others

It can feel weird switching roles with your parents and taking care of them instead of the other way around. Managing this transition along with balancing your other obligations with family and work is no small feat and often stressful. Although you share a special bond with your parents, that doesn’t mean you need to take on all of the responsibilities alone. In fact, leaning on others and asking for help can make caring for your parents much more enjoyable and successful.

Especially if you have siblings or a large family, you should lean on each other for assistance and support, and take turns with certain tasks if you’re able to. It’s also completely normal and understandable to ask your spouse, children, friends, and neighbors for help with other areas of your life, like getting groceries, picking up your kids from school, doing chores, and more. Having a strong support system to help you with tasks and to be an outlet to discuss your feelings can make taking care of your parents much less stressful.

Prepare Your Finances

Caregiving for your parents can be overwhelming emotionally, but it can also put strain on your finances. Depending on what type of care your parents need, you may need to buy medication, medical devices, care services, systems to senior-proof your home, and more. Especially if your parents move into your home or move into an assisted living facility, the costs can quickly add up, which can be stressful.

Although you can rely on your parent’s finances for some of the costs, they might not be able to cover all of the expenses, and you may need to manage their money for them. Before you start caregiving, it’s helpful to have a clear understanding of your parents’ financial situation to determine how much extra funding they need. From there, you can create a budget for expected costs and learn how much financial assistance you may need to provide.

If you’re struggling to afford the costs, research government benefits like Medicaid, and other programs that can help your parents pay for care. You can also leverage your home’s equity for additional financial assistance if you’re a homeowner. Home equity loans can be helpful for this situation as they have a lower interest rate than a personal loan or credit card and come in a lump sum payment, so you can immediately start tackling caregiving expenses.

Take Care of Yourself

Between caring for your aging parents, looking after your children, focusing on work, and other responsibilities, it can be difficult to find time for yourself. Caregiving can be exhausting paired with demands of daily life; with so much focus on taking care of others, it’s also important to take care of yourself during this time.

At the very least, make sure you’re eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and taking care of your mental health. If you’re feeling drained, you won’t be able to effectively care for others in your life, so make yourself a priority. Whether you need an afternoon to yourself, a date night with your spouse, or a night out with friends, dedicate time to relax and unwind where you don’t have to worry about attending to others. Remember, practicing self-care isn’t selfish and will only allow you to be more present and attentive to your parents, family, and partner. If you neglect your needs, you’ll likely become overwhelmed and burned out.

4 Budgeting and Finance Tips for Seniors

Are you in the process of revamping the monthly budget as retirement nears? Many older adults overhaul their spending habits in anticipation of living on a relatively fixed income. There are many great tools and resources available for anyone who needs a bit of assistance. If you don’t want to spend money on a professional financial planner, consider using one of many social service organizations. Contact local and online non-profit organizations that offer budgeting and money planning help for seniors and retirees. Most cater to those over 50 as well as low-income earners in all age groups.

If you have assets to pass on to heirs, consider using a MEC (modified endowment contract) to avoid many of the hassles that accompany the estate planning process. Even without the guiding hand of a professional, take it upon yourself to rework monthly budgets by adjusting for income changes and eliminating as many expenses as possible. The best part of the challenge is that there are so many approaches that work in different situations. Remember to review all retirement accounts and note important dates, like the month when you’ll be required to take mandatory payouts. Here are some suggestions to get the ball rolling.

Get Free Help

Local and national organizations like AARP and others are set up to assist retired people with finances and offer stress management tactics for lifestyle challenges at this stage. Call your local social service department and ask what kind of no-cost or low-cost help you can get from financial planners, personal tax assistants, and volunteer accountants.

Do Basic Estate Planning with a MEC

If you have any assets you plan to leave to heirs, consider using a modified endowment contract to convey them easily and without any red tape. If modified endowment contracts are new to you, read a helpful online explanation on all the particulars. That way, you’ll be prepared to decide if it makes sense to convert designated assets into a MEC. Too many seniors neglect to deal with issues like estate planning and leave their children and other heirs with complex tax situations. The good news is that it takes just a small amount of planning to avoid all sorts of financial messes. That’s just one reason MECs make so much sense for huge numbers of retired adults.

Redo Your Monthly Budget

Want to revamp your financial situation for the better? Take a few hours to sit down and focus on the monthly budget. Be alert for situations that have changed and places where you can cut expenses. Likewise, consider selling stuff you no longer need to add some cash to savings. Another tactic is to take on a low-stress part-time job to bring in a few extra dollars and retain a bit of structure in your daily schedule. Ten hours per week is all it takes to boost income and keep your mind alert and fresh.

Review Retirement Accounts

Make sure you know the rules about minimum withdrawals from retirement accounts. Consider speaking with a financial pro to get everything organized and up to date. Consider ditching low-interest investments that might be languishing in stock portfolios. Make it a point to review your retirement finances at least once per year.