While we still have a couple of months away before the filing deadline, somehow it always seems to sneak upon us and before you know it April 15 is here. Here are some tips for seniors that will help filing taxes run easier.

• Collect all your records early. Start by gathering all your documents, records and receipts that you may have that will help with your return.   

• Contact your current/past company to make sure you are getting your W2s. Follow up with your statements from any investments that you may have i.e. Roth IRA’s, 401k etc. 

• Consider E-File. Filing electronically will lessen the math mistakes, the software will handle all your math calculations for you.  

• Get your refund quicker and hassle free by considering direct deposit.

• Educate yourself, know your tax credits. Be aware of all the tax code changes. Seniors may qualify for the credit for the elderly or disabled if you are 65yrs. old. There is a certain income requirement to be eligible and the long form 1040 or 1040A has to be completed.   

•  Don’t rush! Be thorough… One of the most common mistakes that seniors make is overlooking  something and they end up missing out on a credit that they were entitled to.  

• Make sure it’s legible, if you aren’t able to write because of a disability ask someone to help you. 

•  Double check everything.  A simple mistake on your social security number can slow the process of getting your refund quicker. 

•  Know that you have options. If you don’t feel comfortable filing your own taxes contact a professional. There are many different establishments that seniors can go to. H & R Block,  Jackson Hewitt to just name a few. If it’s a simple return you might be able to get a discount of the processing fee. Also consider TCE Tax Counseling for the Elderly. They provide free tax help to people over the age of 6o years old.   

• Visit IRS.gov for a FREE file. If your income is limited you may be eligible for free tax preparation software and free electronic filing.

The holidays are over and 2009 has come and gone and what a year it was!! There were many events that occured and some we would like to not have happened. A new decade is here and as we reflect on the year we also want to start the new year off with resilience and a positive attitude…  Here are some tips on helping seniors get a jump start to 2010. 

• Give the gifts that seniors will treasure most; your time and companionship.  If your loved one doesn’t live with you, make your visits more frequent. No matter how big or small, a simple gesture will go a long way.

• Get energized. If your loved one is still able, involve them in some form of exercise.  Strength exercises are a great way for helping build muscles and prevent bone loss with age. Exercising will not only keep them active but will give them an overall positive feeling of mind, body and soul.

• Encourage healthy eating.  In most cases seniors are already taking many different types of medications and are recommended by their doctor to eat a well balanced meal. Suggest   taking multi-vitamins and make sure that a good amount of fruit and vegetables are mixed in with their diet. Create new dishes and make healthy eating fun and not a chore.

• Avoid red meat and substitute by eating fish.  Studies show that eating fish such as:  salmon and tuna are beneficial for the heart and brain.

• Keep a positive environment.

• Call often and see how they are doing. Even if you live close by or out of state a phone call can bring a simple smile to their face. Keep the conversation light and always positive. It will give them something to look forward to.

                          Happy New Year!!!  Welcome to the new decade!!

Healthcare bill includes Class Act: National LTCI

Great news for the senior community: The healthcare reform bill that is under debate in the Senate includes a new way for paying long term care. The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports  (CLASS) Act would create a national long-term care insurance program. This bill made famous by the late Senator Edward Kennedy, now being headed by Senator Paul G. Kirk Jr.  will give seniors benefit payments in cash, which will allow seniors and the disabled to spend the benefit money on hiring a caregiving service or to purchase medical equipment so that they can remain in their own home.

What would seniors benefit? 

• They would benefit two activities of daily living
• Receive $75 per day to pay for caregiving service

 Highlights of the CLASS Act:

•  funded by voluntary participation and payroll deductions @$50 per month
• must contribute for 5yrs. before collecting benefit
• benefit maximum of $75 per day (paid in cash)
• may hire caregiver of choice as benefit paid in cash
• must need assistance with at least 2 activities of daily living (ADLs) to qualify
• provide lifetime benefits
• premiums are age-rated
• financially viable and self-sustaining (modeled after private insurance)  

Reason the CLASS Act is needed:

• only 5% of Americans have long term care insurance
• part-time caregiving services in the home delay the need for nursing home care
• caregiver stress is a large reason for nursing home admissions
• research shows eliminating caregiver stress would reduce nursing home admissions by 1/4^th   
• nursing home care costs an average of $70k per year
• paying for part-time care in the home will eliminate or delay spending down all assets on care services.  

To quote Senator Kirk “Sadly, millions of seniors and persons living with disabilities struggle to obtain the services and supports they need to live fulfilling lives and to remain in their communities among their friends and families – in what they hoped would be their productive “golden years”.

This new way of paying for senior care will greatly assist seniors and their families to help them cope with memory loss and mobility issues.

Source provided by Caregiver List

The holiday season has arrived and for most it is a time of joy, sharing and being with  the ones you love… It is a time for catching up with old friends, being with family and looking forward to what the New Year will bring. It is a great picture but for seniors it is hardly the reality. Feelings of sadness, loneliness are what most seniors feel this time of year.

There are many ways we can help to prevent or lessen those feelings of loneliness and help restore their joy this holiday season.

• Don’t let them be alone. Invite your loved one over, if they can’t be with family, encourage them to be with friends.  
• Volunteer at churches or nursing homes. You are not only helping them with their sadness but keeping you away from your own troubles. 
• Encourage communication with your loved one. If you see them sad, ask them about it, let them talk it out. Sometimes all they want is for someone to listen to them.  
• Relive some of the good times with your loved one. Look at old photos of past holiday gatherings.  
• Remind your loved ones that having them there is what’s most important, not the gifts. Seniors tend to worry about their finances and want to be able to share in the gifts of giving.  

Following some of these tips should help lessen the holiday blues, and remember that a simple gesture is all it takes so that they know someone cares.

Happy Holidays!!  

The La Grange Fire and Police Departments have partnered with Aging Well, a subsidiary of the Senior Center in La Grange, in establishing a new lock box program, ideal for senior citizens or for residents with special needs requirements, especially those who cannot get to the door easily.

The Knox Box is a 4×5 safe-like device designed either to hang from an entrance door or attach to the outside of a home.  A key to the home is kept inside the box.  In case of an emergency, instead of using blunt force to enter, the La Grange Fire Department would have key access to the box, and thus enter your home without doing damage to your house.

This program could save lives and offer a sense of security to our senior citizens and those in need of assistance.

If you would like more information about how to purchase and install the Knox Box, please contact the La Grange Fire Department at (708) 579-2338.

Information provided by Village of LaGange

For years seniors have been known to be the first to have their flu vaccines once flu season starts. With the pandemic of H1N1 it would seem typical for seniors to be one of the first group of people that would more likely be of high risk, however that is not the case.  It seems that for seniors they seem to have a bit of immunity and have been largely spared. Researchers believe that the main reason this is the case is that for years seniors have already been exposed to similar viruses in their lifetimes. It is a rare bit of good news that seniors are embracing.

Communities across Florida that have a large senior community have been happy that this pandemic hasn’t spread in their community.  Over 80 percent of the senior populations have said that they will not seek the H1N1 shot and understand the government’s order for putting other people more of a priority.  Doctors across country are also noticing that seniors aren’t as concerned with the H1N1 virus and are happy that they aren’t that concerned because in actuality they don’t need it. 

Federal guidelines call for pregnant women to be given the shot first, those who live with or care for children younger than 6 months, health care workers, those 6 months up to 24 years old and people with chronic health problems.  Only after those shots are distributed will they become available to seniors under 64 years of age and younger.

Our skin is the largest organ of our body. It is a natural body covering that protects us from the sun, injury, bacteria and infection.  It regulates body temperature and stores water, fat and vitamin D.  Keeping a seniors’s skin healthy is most important when fighting infections and injury. 

Seniors that are confined to a wheelchair or that are bedbound must be checked frequently for reddened areas and open sores.  Seniors that are confined to a bed should be repositioned every two hours to prevent bedsores.  That is also the case for seniors who aren’t as active. Get them up and get them moving as much as possible.

 Skin cancer is one of the most common problems in the elderly. Look out for moles that grow rapidly or have dark pigmentations, irregular shapes or bleed.  For suspicious skin problems have it examined by a doctor.

If your loved one is disabled, or suffers from a medical condition it doesn’t mean that exercise shouldn’t be a factor.  It is all the more reason to stay active and work out. Physical activity has many benefits for all ages.  For seniors, walking is a great benefit as it strengthens the heart and cardiovascular system and reduces the risk of heart disease.  

When seniors combine different types of exercise such as walking, lifting and stretching they inherit many benefits.

• Become more alert
• Improve skin tone
• Sleep better
• Decrease depression
• Help with the disability
• Improve medical condition
• Strengthens muscles

Think Safety and Be Prepared.  

• Warm up with gentle stretching exercises.
• Start slow and build gradually.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, water only.
• Be aware of any signs of difficulty. Stop immediately if there’s shortness of breath or pain.
• Make sure breathing exercises are performed. Inhale and Exhale.
• Don’t get up too quick, avoid dizziness or loss of balance.

Now that you’re loved one is ready to get started involve them in choosing the types of exercise they should do.  There are many different varieties; standing exercises, sitting exercises and lying exercises.  Depending on your loved ones condition should help on deciding which type of exercise works best.

We spend most of our lifetime thinking about ways to eat healthy or eat in smaller portions. As we age,  the feelings don’t go away but for some seniors they find it difficult to eat and drink when they know they have to.  The majority of seniors especially the ones that require help to eat or who have an illness that is debilitating are the ones that typically have a lack of interest in food and eating.

Reasons  why Seniors don’t eat

• Food is unappealing
• Bowel issues
• Loss of taste and smell
• Trouble with using silverware
• They live alone.
• Loss of appetite due to certain medications.
• Feeling rushed, not enough time.
• Dry mouth
• Stressed or distracted

Now that you have an understanding of why some seniors don’t eat, here are some ways to stimulate their appetite.

• Get them involved. Invite your elder to participate in the meal preparation. Let them wash the vegetables, mix ingredients or stir the pot.
• Be patient, don’t rush your elder when it comes to eating. If they don’t finish, try again in a few minutes.   
• Get physical. Walking or light exercise can help stimulate appetite.
• Don’t serve large portions. Large portions can seem overwhelming to some elders. Serve smaller meals throughout the day.  
• Cook things that are familiar. Comfort foods are a reminder of the good old days. 
• Try bite size foods. The easier it is for your elder to eat will eliminate any anxiety they have towards food and eating.

Congrats to Donna Walker as her article was published in the Sept. 3rd issue of Hinsdale Doings. We are happy that she got the recognition she deserves!! Not only is it a great article but also has some great helpful tips.  

A Little Help From Our Friends…

As we age there are milestones that we can’t wait to reach, but has anyone ever heard: “Wow, I can’t wait until I’m a senior citizen!”

Since there are so many issues that face our seniors, it may be affecting the way decisions are made. Medical, financial, transportation or housing woes can be daunting, but with just a little help, life could be a little easier.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away! By eating right, taking our medications as prescribed and making sure we have a safe living environment helps avoid trips to the emergency room.

If you are balancing paying for prescriptions versus eating, help is just a phone call away. Meals on wheels will be there when you need it. You absolutely should not skip a meal; food feeds your mind and body. The Meals on Wheels phone is (312) 207-5290. Go on-line to the Eldercare Locator tool at www.eldercare.gov or call them at (800) 677-1116.

If you or your loved one is in need of help with utility bills, prescription saving programs, legal advice or any other services, go to www.benefitscheckup.org or call the National Council on Aging at (202) 479-1200 to see if you qualify.

“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.”

– Albert Einstein.

At some point driving a vehicle is no longer an option; does that mean you are stuck at home? Not at all. If you are located close to shopping or your favorite restaurant, it may be as simple as taking a walk. Exercise is critical to improving strength, balance, flexibility and endurance. If physical limitations are hindering that option, recruit a relative or friend. Many communities have resources which have a guide to help seniors locate transportation. Go to www.agingwellpartnership.org to view the possibilities online.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

– Nelson Mandella.

When it comes to day-to-day living, one of the major topics relates to your home. Most of us would like to stay in our homes where we have raised our children, and where our memories surround us. But if your home is getting too hard to clean, or the stairs are too much to bear when doing laundry, what can you do or who do you call?

There are various options when it comes to in-home care, the cost, the level of care and the security of your loved one. There are many individuals who are here and are working illegally, which may result in loss of finances, elder abuse and lawsuits. Solution, find a reputable licensed agency that does their due diligence so that you have peace of mind in your home or the home of your loved one.

Life is full of challenges and opportunities, we just have to know where to look, who to call and use our voices to ask for help. The lines on our faces, the hair that has turned silver, should be badges of honor of what we have accomplished, what we have learned and how we impact the next generation.

“First you are young; then you are middle-aged; then you are old; then you are wonderful.”

– Lady Diana Cooper.

Donna Walker works with Home & Hearth Caregivers