“Two Automated Services for Your Aging Parent’s Safety Health”

June 21st, 2010

By Guest Blogger Dale Carter of TransitionAgingParents.com”

Both solutions I’m highlighting today include the following benefits.

They are:

  • simple to set up and use
  • well-designed and tested
  • automated
  • flexible
  • support an aging parent’s independence and desire to age-in-place

The first product is OnTimeRX (“timely email, phone, SMS reminders”)  with reminder call (or message) for each medication a person takes.  This product has been in use since 2000, and was developed by Long-Term care pharmacist Susan Torrico.

  • How many of our aging parents take every one of their medications on schedule every time?  It is indeed a challenge for the elderly.
  • With the growing desire to age in place, and with the growing number of medications needed as we age, this service meets a critical daily need.
  • There’s an added bonus to the service!  Calls can also be scheduled for other reasons, such as monitoring blood sugar, meal times, etc.

The concept is simple with the reminder calls/messages being offered to a land line, cell phone, computer email, Blackberry, Palm, Windows Mobile smart phone, or PDA.

Here’s how it works.  You and your aging parent:

  • Tell the service how your aging parent wishes to receive the reminder calls and/or messages
  • Set up the reminder schedule
  • Record a personalized message for each call
  • Benefits?  It’s simple to set up, flexible to any care plan needs, and is reliable, stress-free and non-judgmental.  It certainly does support aging-in-place.

As OnTimeRX says, “Think of OnTimeRX as a personal assistance or automated ‘To Do list that keeps people on track and happily involved in their own daily care routines.”…www.OnTimeRX.com

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The second product is FineThanx (”make every day independence day”) offering a daily automated call.

  • How many of our parents forget to wear their PERS (personal emergency alert systems)?  I venture to say, quite a few.
  • We’ve heard the statistics.  One in every 3 persons aged 65+ falls each year.
  • With the growing desire to age in place and the risk of falling at home alone, wouldn’t it be great to have an automated system that checks on your loved one every 24 hours and communicates their status to their whole Circle of Care (including children that live far away)?

Peter Sharp, founder of FineThanx, developed this automated call system as a result of a person experience with his grandmother who fell, did not use her alert button and was not found for 2 days.

The service is simple but definitely meets the need!

  • A call is made once or twice a day to the home of the elderly person.  The automated message tells the person to press “1″ if they are ok, press “2″ if they need help.
  • If “2″ is pressed or if the call goes unanswered after 3 attempts, an second automated call sequence commences, calling one person at a time within the Circle of Care (established by the family)
  • Members of the family’s Circle of Care receives email notification of calls each day so they can rest assured their loved one is ok.

www.FineThanx.com

“Dale Carter, founder of Transition Aging Parents, is dedicated to providing insight and information to adult children of aging parents so their parents may “thrive and find joy” in every stage of life. To get your F.R.E.E. 5-Part E-Course and receive her bi-weekly articles on resources, options, and new innovations for aging parents, visit http://www.transitionagingparents.com “


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WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The World Health Organization, governments and nonprofit groups are saving lives by distributing drugs to developing countries, but they are not paying enough attention to the dangers of drug-resistant bugs, according to a report released on Tuesday. Many such drug distribution programs may be driving drug resistance and endangering the lives they are meant to save, according to the report from the Center for Global Development. “Drug resistance is a natural occurrence, but careless practices in drug supply and use are hastening it unnecessarily,” the Center’s Rachel Nugent, who led the group writing the report, said in a statement. Millions of children in the developing world die every year from drug-resistant strains of malaria, tuberculosis, AIDS and other diseases, the report found. Since 2006 donors have spent more than $1.5 billion on specialized drugs to treat resistant bacteria and viruses, and this could worsen, the report cautions. So-called “superbugs” such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureas, or MRSA, now cause more than 50 percent of staph infections in U.S. hospitals. Bacteria and viruses begin to evolve resistance to drugs almost as soon as they first encounter them. If drug treatment leaves even one microbe alive, it will reproduce and whatever genetic attributes helped it survive will be multiplied in the next generation. Last week, experts told a Congressional panel that U.S. regulators need to provide a clear path for drug companies to develop new antibiotics and should consider offering financial incentives. The Center’s report looks for even broader action, urging WHO to lead others, including pharmaceutical companies, governments, philanthropies that buy and distribute medicines, hospitals, healthcare providers, pharmacies and patients. The report finds clear links between increased drug availability and resistance. For instance, in countries with the highest use of antibiotics, 75 to 90 percent of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains are drug-resistant, it found. Poor quality drugs, counterfeit drugs, incomplete use of drugs and other factors all contribute to the problem, the report found. And this problem will worsen as drug access programs succeed, it cautions. “The number of people being treated for HIV/AIDS, for example, increased 10-fold between 2002 and 2007; there was an 8-fold rise in deliveries of (drugs) for malaria treatment between 2005 and 2006, and the Stop TB Partnership’s Global Drug Facility has expanded access to drugs for TB patients, offering nearly 14 million patient treatments in 93 countries since 2001,” the report reads. “While increased access to necessary drugs is clearly desirable, it brings challenges in preserving the efficacy of these drugs and ensuring they are used appropriately.” For instance, in 2008, an estimated 440,000 cases of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis emerged. The Center for Global Development, an independent, nonprofit group, specializes in research on global poverty and inequality. SOURCE: http://www.cgdev.org/content/publications/detail/1424207 Center for Global Development, “The Race Against Drug Resistance”

June 16th, 2010
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The World Health Organization, governments and nonprofit groups are saving lives by distributing drugs to developing countries, but they are not paying enough attention to the dangers of drug-resistant bugs, according to a report released on Tuesday.

Many such drug distribution programs may be driving drug resistance and endangering the lives they are meant to save, according to the report from the Center for Global Development.

“Drug resistance is a natural occurrence, but careless practices in drug supply and use are hastening it unnecessarily,” the Center’s Rachel Nugent, who led the group writing the report, said in a statement.

Millions of children in the developing world die every year from drug-resistant strains of malaria, tuberculosis, AIDS and other diseases, the report found.

Since 2006 donors have spent more than $1.5 billion on specialized drugs to treat resistant bacteria and viruses, and this could worsen, the report cautions.

So-called “superbugs” such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureas, or MRSA, now cause more than 50 percent of staph infections in U.S. hospitals.

Bacteria and viruses begin to evolve resistance to drugs almost as soon as they first encounter them. If drug treatment leaves even one microbe alive, it will reproduce and whatever genetic attributes helped it survive will be multiplied in the next generation.

Last week, experts told a Congressional panel that U.S. regulators need to provide a clear path for drug companies to develop new antibiotics and should consider offering financial incentives.

The Center’s report looks for even broader action, urging WHO to lead others, including pharmaceutical companies, governments, philanthropies that buy and distribute medicines, hospitals, healthcare providers, pharmacies and patients.

The report finds clear links between increased drug availability and resistance. For instance, in countries with the highest use of antibiotics, 75 to 90 percent of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains are drug-resistant, it found.

Poor quality drugs, counterfeit drugs, incomplete use of drugs and other factors all contribute to the problem, the report found. And this problem will worsen as drug access programs succeed, it cautions.

“The number of people being treated for HIV/AIDS, for example, increased 10-fold between 2002 and 2007; there was an 8-fold rise in deliveries of (drugs) for malaria treatment between 2005 and 2006, and the Stop TB Partnership’s Global Drug Facility has expanded access to drugs for TB patients, offering nearly 14 million patient treatments in 93 countries since 2001,” the report reads.

“While increased access to necessary drugs is clearly desirable, it brings challenges in preserving the efficacy of these drugs and ensuring they are used appropriately.”

For instance, in 2008, an estimated 440,000 cases of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis emerged.

The Center for Global Development, an independent, nonprofit group, specializes in research on global poverty and inequality.

SOURCE: http://www.cgdev.org/content/publications/detail/1424207 Center for Global Development, “The Race Against Drug Resistance”

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Personal Financial Advisors

June 6th, 2010

Meeting with a financial planner is an easy way to get personalized advice on having more money. While general financial advice can be help plot the journey to increased wealth, one-on-one consultation with an expert will solidify your approach.

Before you set up an appointment, learn the difference between a financial planner and a financial advisor. A financial advisor is usually a commission-based expert who has at least some stake in the investments you buy. A financial planner will help you set short- and long-term financial goals, make a plan to get there and prepare for life’s emergencies. Some financial planners are commission-based, such as life insurance agents. However, many are fee-based, which means that you pay them by the hour for customized financial planning advice.

If your main objective is to find the least-biased advice possible, choose a fee-based advisor or planner. The good news is most advisors will give you a free consultation, which allows you to get a feel for how they can help you.

A great resource is the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors. For more information, visit www.NAPFA.org.

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CANCER GUIDE

May 17th, 2010

Definition

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells.
Alternative Names

Carcinoma; Malignant tumor
Causes, Incidence, And Risk Factors

Cells are the building blocks of living things. Cancer grows out of normal cells in the body. Normal cells multiply when the body needs them, and die when the body doesn’t need them. Cancer appears to occur when the growth of cells in the body is out of control and cells divide too quickly. It can also occur when cells “forget” how to die.

There are many different kinds of cancers. Cancer can develop in almost any organ or tissue, such as the lung, colon, breast, skin, bones, or nerve tissue.

There are many causes of cancers, including:

* Benzene and other chemicals
* Certain poisonous mushrooms and a type of poison that can grow on peanut plants (aflatoxins)
* Certain viruses
* Radiation
* Sunlight
* Tobacco

However, the cause of many cancers remains unknown.

The most common cause of cancer-related death is lung cancer.

The three most common cancers in men in the United States are:

* Prostate cancer
* Lung cancer
* Colon cancer

In women in the U.S., the three most common cancers are:

* Breast cancer
* Colon cancer
* Lung cancer

Some cancers are more common in certain parts of the world. For example, in Japan, there are many cases of gastric cancer, but in the U.S. this type of cancer is pretty rare. Differences in diet may play a role.

Some other types of cancers include:

* Brain cancer
* Cervical cancer
* Hodgkin’s lymphoma
* Kidney cancer
* Leukemia
* Liver cancer
* Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
* Ovarian cancer
* Skin cancer
* Testicular cancer
* Thyroid cancer
* Uterine cancer

Symptoms

Symptoms of cancer depend on the type and location of the tumor. For example, lung cancer can cause coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain. Colon cancer often causes diarrhea, constipation, and blood in the stool.

Some cancers may not have any symptoms at all. In certain cancers, such as gallbladder cancer, symptoms often do not start until the disease has reached an advanced stage.

The following symptoms can occur with most cancers:

* Chills
* Fatigue
* Fever
* Loss of appetite
* Malaise
* Night sweats
* Weight loss

Signs And Tests

Like symptoms, the signs of cancer vary based on the type and location of the tumor. Common tests include the following:

* Biopsy of the tumor
* Blood chemistries
* Bone marrow biopsy (for lymphoma or leukemia)
* Chest x-ray
* Complete blood count (CBC)
* CT scan

Most cancers are diagnosed by biopsy. Depending on the location of the tumor, the biopsy may be a simple procedure or a serious operation. Most patients with cancer have CT scans to determine the exact location and size of the tumor or tumors.

A cancer diagnosis is difficult to cope with. It is important, however, that you discuss the type, size, and location of the cancer with your doctor when you are diagnosed. You also will want to ask about treatment options, along with their benefits and risks.

It’s a good idea to have someone with you at the doctor’s office to help you get through the diagnosis. If you have trouble asking questions after hearing about your diagnosis, the person you bring with you can ask them for you.
Treatment

Treatment also varies based on the type of cancer and its stage. The stage of a cancer refers to how much it has grown and whether the tumor has spread from its original location.

* If the cancer is confined to one location and has not spread, the most common goals for treatment are surgery and cure. This is often the case with skin cancers, as well as cancers of the lung, breast, and colon.
* If the tumor has spread to local lymph nodes only, sometimes these can also be removed.
* If surgery cannot remove all of the cancer, the options for treatment include radiation, chemotherapy, or both. Some cancers require a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Although treatment for cancer can be difficult, there are many ways to keep up your strength.

If you have radiation treatment, know that:

* Radiation treatment is painless.
* Treatment is usually scheduled every weekday.
* You should allow 30 minutes for each treatment session, although the treatment itself usually takes only a few minutes.
* You should get plenty of rest and eat a well-balanced diet during the course of your radiation therapy.
* Skin in the treated area may become sensitive and easily irritated.
* Side effects of radiation treatment are usually temporary. They vary depending on the area of the body that is being treated.

If you are going through chemotherapy, you should eat right. Chemotherapy causes your immune system to weaken, so you should avoid people with colds or the flu. You should also get plenty of rest, and don’t feel as though you have to accomplish tasks all at once.

It will help you to talk with family, friends, or a support group about your feelings. Work with your health care providers throughout your treatment. Helping yourself can make you feel more in control.
Support Groups

A cancer diagnosis often causes a lot of anxiety and can affect your entire quality of life. Several support groups for cancer patients can help you cope.
Expectations (Prognosis)

The outlook depends on the type of cancer. Even among people with one type of cancer, the outcome varies depending on the stage of the tumor when they are diagnosed.

Some cancers can be cured. Some cancers that are not curable can still be treated well. And some patients can live for many years with their cancer. Other tumors are quickly life-threatening.
Complications

One complication is that the cancer may spread. Other complications vary with the type and stage of the tumor.
Calling Your Health Care Provider

Contact your health care provider if you develop symptoms of cancer.
Prevention

One of the best ways to prevent cancer is to not smoke or chew tobacco. Many cancers can be prevented by avoiding risk factors such as excessive exposure to sunlight and heavy drinking.

Cancer screenings, such as mammography and breast examination for breast cancer and colonoscopy for colon cancer, may help catch these cancers at their early stages when they are most treatable. Some people at high risk for developing certain cancers can take medication to reduce their risk.

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Vitamins and Mineral Supplements Are Important for Older People

April 8th, 2010

Vitamins and Mineral Supplements Are Important for Older People

Research has discovered that as we age, our diets and our need for dietary supplements change.  Doctors are increasingly concerned about boosting the levels of vitamins and minerals that we need as we grow older.

As most people get older, they tend to eat less due to a loss of appetite.  As a result, many elderly individuals do not take in adequate amounts of vitamins and other nutrients as they did when they were younger.  Other factors that can affect appetite and the inadequate uptake of vital nutrients are medications, medical complications, certain disabilities, diabetes, changes in the digestive system and even the changes in our skin as we age.  One study estimates that one-third of the elderly are alarmingly low on important vitamins and minerals.  Another study indicates that two thirds of the elderly patients admitted to a hospital are mal-nourished, resulting in low levels of vital nutrients.  When a person is vitamin and mineral deficient, he or she is more susceptible to illness and infections.  It is estimated that deaths due to infections are ten times more likely in the elderly.

Vitamins
So what is a vitamin and why is it so essential to our bodies?  A vitamin is a molecule that our bodies needs to carry out certain biological functions.  With only a few exceptions, the body has no way to create vitamin molecules itself, so these vital building blocks must come in through food that we eat.  The human body is known to need at least 13 different vitamins.  We are able to store some of these for long periods of time in fat cells or in the liver — such as vitamin A — but most vitamins need to be replenished frequently.

Vitamins don’t supply us with energy.  We need protein, carbohydrates, and fats for that.  What vitamins do is to help the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins release energy.  These vital compounds are very important and they are required for all sorts of complex chemical reactions in our bodies.  Vitamins are also needed to assist the enzymes that repair tissue and help with the production of cells.  Many studies show that vitamins and minerals can help or prevent some of the disorders or diseases related to aging.

There are two types of vitamins — water soluble and fat soluble.  Water soluble vitamins are not stored in our bodies.  They pass through our bodies quickly.  In order to keep these nutrients in our bodies we have to consume them frequently.  Water soluble vitamins contribute to our health, energy and stamina.  This type of vitamin also helps in the function of over one hundred enzymes and chemical reactions that give our bodies energy.   Listed below are some of the well known water soluble vitamins and their benefits.

  • Vitamin B5 – good for reducing swelling
  • Vitamin B3 – reduces tissue swelling and helps increase blood flow.
  • Vitamin B6 – also reduces swelling.  When combined with vitamin B12 in proper concentration has shown to reduce heart disease.
  • Vitamin B12 – This is the most vital of the B’s.   It aids in the formation of cells, myelin production, healthy nerves, and maintaining immune system and mental function.
  • Vitamin C – Vitamin C helps in the formation of cartilage and bone.  Some studies have shown it may reduce the progression of osteoarthritis.

Fat soluble vitamins are vitamins that stay in the body and are typically stored in the liver.  You can usually receive enough of these compounds by eating a well balanced diet.   Any condition that can interfere with the absorption of fat in the body like tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis, hypothyroidism, lactose intolerance, and many other diseases or disorders can cause deficiencies in these vitamins.  Before taking the daily recommended dose of fat soluble vitamins you must consult your doctor.  Overdosage of these substances can cause a toxic build-up in your body.  Listed below are the major fat soluble vitamins.

  • Vitamin A – Lungs, throat and mouth depend on vitamin A to retain moisture.   This compound is also important for your skin, bones, teeth, digestive system, urinary tract, eyes and aids in preventing skin disorders like acne, boils, and bumpy skin.  Some studies show that it may aid in slowing the aging process.
  • Vitamin K – plays an important role in the clotting of blood.  Research has linked vitamin K to bone health.
  • Vitamin D – is produced in the skin by exposure to the sun.  Deficiencies mostly occur in people living in northern latitudes where daylight is brief during winter months.  Changes in skin as we age can also cause poor production of vitamin D.   Studies show that  osteoporosis might progress faster in women with low levels of vitamin D.  This compound is essential in helping the body absorb make that lowercase and maintaining strong bones.

Minerals
Unlike vitamins, minerals are not manufactured by plants or animals.  Minerals form in the earth, and are absorbed by plants and found in animals that eat the plants.  Listed below are some of the essential minerals needed to maintain a healthy body.

Iron – helps carry oxygen throughout the body.  Iron also helps the immune system ward off foreign entities.
Calcium – Most women as they get older need calcium supplements to prevent bone loss that causes osteoporosis.  Calcium supplements will not do you any good if you do not have the right levels of vitamin D.  your body cannot absorb calcium without vitamin D.
Zinc – Zinc deficiencies can affect skin, nerves, and the body’s immune system.

It is important that you take vitamin and mineral supplements with food.  Fat soluble vitamins require fat ingestion to result in the best absorption.  It is best to take your supplements at the biggest meal of the day.

We use vitamins every day to support the processes our bodies use to maintain life.  Ongoing reduced levels of vitamins can make you weak and more vulnerable to disease.  Proper nutrition with vitamins and minerals is vital for seniors to maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

Article offered at National Care Planning Council website at www.longtermcarelink.net.

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Laughter a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

March 30th, 2010

“Laughter is definitely a healing experience, and we’re not talking metaphorically, we’re speaking absolutely literally. Laughter is one of the best medicines you can have.” Quote by Deepak Chopra

More on Human Aging and the Mind Body Connection. Humor and the Benefits of Laughter:

* Like a mild workout- A good hearty laugh causes your pulse and respiration rate to increase, your blood pressure to go up and many of your muscles to stretch. This increases the blood supply to the body and increasing the amount of oxygen to the body’s tissues.
* Promotes relaxation- After your body stretches the muscles and the blood flow increases to the muscles of the body, you feel a sense of relaxation. In fact, muscle physiologists have found that this relaxed response can last as long as forty five minutes.
* Encourages social interactions- an individual that has a sense of humor and laughs is an individual others want to be around. Laughing is contagious. It is a powerful reaction that can deescalate a difficult situation, can dissipate anger and bring families together. It is the stuff good memories are made of. Laughing with others makes everyone feel good and experience an elevated mood. This can create decrease the stress of all involved and enhance the social interaction as well.
* Promotes an increased pain threshold- when we laugh the increase of production of endorphins also acts as a pain reliever. Studies show that individuals suffering pain experience pain relief after watching comedy.
* Maintains blood sugar levels- it has been discovered that individuals diagnosed with type II diabetes experience smaller spikes in their blood levels after eating when they enjoy and experience laughter after their meal. Scientists feel that the increase in use of the abdominal muscles and utilizing more energy may attribute to a more stable blood sugar level.

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Hospital Stays May Spur Brain Decline in Seniors

March 3rd, 2010

TUESDAY, Feb. 23 (HealthDay News) — Elderly people who have been hospitalized have an increased risk of cognitive decline.
That’s the finding of U.S. researchers who analyzed data from 1994 through 2007 on 2,929 people, aged 65 and older, who did not have dementia at the start of the study. During an average follow-up of 6.1 years, 1,287 were hospitalized for a non-critical illness and 41 were hospitalized for a critical illness, while 1,601 of the participants were not hospitalized.

Among those hospitalized for one or more non-critical illnesses, there were 228 cases of dementia, and among those hospitalized with one or more critical illnesses, there were five cases of dementia. There were 146 cases of dementia reported among the participants who weren’t hospitalized during the study period, the authors noted.

After adjusting for various factors, the researchers concluded that patients hospitalized for a non-critical illness were 40 percent more likely to develop dementia than those who weren’t hospitalized. Seniors hospitalized with a critical illness also had a higher risk of dementia, but the result wasn’t significant, possibly because of the small number of people in that group, the study authors explained.

“The mechanism of this association is uncertain,” wrote Dr. William J. Ehlenbach, of the University of Washington, Seattle, and colleagues. “These results also could suggest that factors associated with acute illness, and to a greater degree with critical illness, may be causally related to cognitive decline.”

There are a number of possible mechanisms through which critical illness could contribute to cognitive decline, including hypoxemia (decreased partial pressure of oxygen in blood), delirium, low blood pressure, glucose dysregulation, inflammation, and sedative and analgesic medications, the report indicated.

“Further studies are needed to better understand the factors associated with acute and critical illness that may contribute to cognitive impairment,” the researchers concluded.

The study findings are published in the Feb. 24 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

SOURCE: Journal of the American Medical Association, news release, Feb. 23, 2010

Posted in Senior & Elder Health, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Jitterbug Will Tell Grandma She’s Not Alone

February 16th, 2010

Jitterbug Will Tell Grandma She’s Not Alone

01.07.10

Jitterbug Will Tell Grandma She's Not Alone

EnlargeThis cell phone will make “wellness calls” to seniors.

by Sascha Segan

CES 2010LAS VEGAS—If you can’t find time to call a doctor, what if the doctor calls you? Jitterbug phones will soon be able to make “wellness calls,” interactive calls from a recorded psychologist that help Jitterbug’s golden-age clientele feel better – and help their families track how they feel.

Jitterbug’s wellness calls come from Dr. Brian Alman, a psychologist and well-known specialist in self-hypnosis. He’s not hypnotizing anyone through the phone, though. Rather, he’s making weekly, five-minute robocalls to teach relaxation techniques and ask seniors how they’re feeling.

Posted in Helpful Senior Aides | 2 Comments »

CSA Connections – Mastering Money

January 18th, 2010

Essential Tax Tips for Seniors

Taxes have been a fact of life in the United States of America since the nation’s very beginning. Today, they’re an essential, permanent aspect of our everyday life. Careful tax management — with an eye toward the proper use of available credits, deductions, and exemptions — represents the crux of financial planning for seniors and the professionals who work with them. Poor tax planning, on the other hand, can negatively affect cash flow and quality of life. Caregivers of all stripes can help seniors in their care by understanding the tax needs of older Americans.
Tax tips for seniors

The key component of managing taxes, of course, is determining income. Income can come from many sources, but common types of income for seniors include wage compensation, Social Security, pension, disability benefits, interest, investment dividends and capital gains.

Here are some key tax basics of which seniors need to be aware:

* Tax on compensation — Compensation is taxed at normal income rates, and deductions and exemptions reduce the taxable income. Those who don’t itemize deductions can claim the standard deduction. However, seniors over age 65 who don’t itemize their deductions can use an additional standard deduction. (Another such deduction is reserved for the blind.)
* Deductions — Seniors who decide to itemize deductions (based on the determination that itemized deductions would exceed the standard deduction) can consider deducting real property tax, medical expenses and charitable gifts.
* Exemptions — Depending on their financial situation, taxpayers can claim exemptions for themselves or for dependents (e.g., siblings, grandchildren). Expert tax advice is crucial to determining whether a taxpayer can claim an exemption.
* Interest and dividends — Many stocks and mutual funds pay out earnings as taxable dividends. Although dividends were once taxed as normal income, for 2009 and 2010 they will be taxed at 0 percent for taxpayers in the 10- and 15-percent tax brackets and at only 15 percent for taxpayers in higher tax brackets.
* Capital gains — When a capital asset (e.g., an investment, home or business interest) is sold for a financial gain, the result is a capital gain. Long-term gains (which apply to property held longer than 12 months) are subject to a 0 percent tax rate for 2009 and 2010 — again, for lower-bracket taxpayers.
* Social Security benefits — The total income of senior taxpayers determines whether their Social Security retirement and disability benefits will be taxed. Most older Americans don’t pay taxes on these benefits because the current tax code favors tax relief for seniors. However, seniors who have higher incomes might have to pay taxes on a portion of these benefits.

Elderly or disabled

Of particular note is an Elderly or Disabled Credit, available for struggling senior taxpayers. To claim this credit, the individual must be over the age of 65 at the end of the tax year for which he or she wants to claim the deduction, or the individual must meet specific qualifications to be considered disabled. (Taxpayers on permanent and total disability, or those receiving taxable disability income during the year, may qualify.) The amount of the credit depends on the individual’s financial situation and can be difficult to calculate. The assistance of a qualified professional is highly recommended.
Non-traditional lifestyles

Another thing to keep in mind is that the United States tax code is decidedly traditional. For that reason, seniors who enjoy non-traditional lifestyles might be at a disadvantage when it comes to tax management. For example, the tax code provides tax-filing breaks to couples who are legally married: They file as Married Filing Jointly. However, most people in common-law marriages or in gay and lesbian domestic partnerships must file as single individuals instead. Seniors in non-traditional relationships might also be unable to take full advantage of specific deductions and credits.
Financial assistance for seniors

Caregivers of any background can aid their older clients with simple tax help. Some seniors, for example, need assistance gathering the necessary papers, such as receipts and forms. Others — for example, the mentally or physically impaired, widows or widowers — might need help navigating the tax maze. Or perhaps they merely need help accurately calculating and filing.

Free tax-preparation assistance is also available from AARP Tax-Aide, a free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service. It’s specifically designed for taxpayers with low and moderate incomes and provides special attention to seniors.

But for the best financial preparation at tax time, it’s best to have a good, qualified financial advisor. That’s the most reliable way to get a fair shake from the IRS.

CSA Connections – Mastering Money

Essential Tax Tips for Seniors

Taxes have been a fact of life in the United States of America since the nation’s very beginning. Today, they’re an essential, permanent aspect of our everyday life. Careful tax management — with an eye toward the proper use of available credits, deductions, and exemptions — represents the crux of financial planning for seniors and the professionals who work with them. Poor tax planning, on the other hand, can negatively affect cash flow and quality of life. Caregivers of all stripes can help seniors in their care by understanding the tax needs of older Americans.
Tax tips for seniors

The key component of managing taxes, of course, is determining income. Income can come from many sources, but common types of income for seniors include wage compensation, Social Security, pension, disability benefits, interest, investment dividends and capital gains.

Here are some key tax basics of which seniors need to be aware:

* Tax on compensation — Compensation is taxed at normal income rates, and deductions and exemptions reduce the taxable income. Those who don’t itemize deductions can claim the standard deduction. However, seniors over age 65 who don’t itemize their deductions can use an additional standard deduction. (Another such deduction is reserved for the blind.)
* Deductions — Seniors who decide to itemize deductions (based on the determination that itemized deductions would exceed the standard deduction) can consider deducting real property tax, medical expenses and charitable gifts.
* Exemptions — Depending on their financial situation, taxpayers can claim exemptions for themselves or for dependents (e.g., siblings, grandchildren). Expert tax advice is crucial to determining whether a taxpayer can claim an exemption.
* Interest and dividends — Many stocks and mutual funds pay out earnings as taxable dividends. Although dividends were once taxed as normal income, for 2009 and 2010 they will be taxed at 0 percent for taxpayers in the 10- and 15-percent tax brackets and at only 15 percent for taxpayers in higher tax brackets.
* Capital gains — When a capital asset (e.g., an investment, home or business interest) is sold for a financial gain, the result is a capital gain. Long-term gains (which apply to property held longer than 12 months) are subject to a 0 percent tax rate for 2009 and 2010 — again, for lower-bracket taxpayers.
* Social Security benefits — The total income of senior taxpayers determines whether their Social Security retirement and disability benefits will be taxed. Most older Americans don’t pay taxes on these benefits because the current tax code favors tax relief for seniors. However, seniors who have higher incomes might have to pay taxes on a portion of these benefits.

Elderly or disabled

Of particular note is an Elderly or Disabled Credit, available for struggling senior taxpayers. To claim this credit, the individual must be over the age of 65 at the end of the tax year for which he or she wants to claim the deduction, or the individual must meet specific qualifications to be considered disabled. (Taxpayers on permanent and total disability, or those receiving taxable disability income during the year, may qualify.) The amount of the credit depends on the individual’s financial situation and can be difficult to calculate. The assistance of a qualified professional is highly recommended.
Non-traditional lifestyles

Another thing to keep in mind is that the United States tax code is decidedly traditional. For that reason, seniors who enjoy non-traditional lifestyles might be at a disadvantage when it comes to tax management. For example, the tax code provides tax-filing breaks to couples who are legally married: They file as Married Filing Jointly. However, most people in common-law marriages or in gay and lesbian domestic partnerships must file as single individuals instead. Seniors in non-traditional relationships might also be unable to take full advantage of specific deductions and credits.
Financial assistance for seniors

Caregivers of any background can aid their older clients with simple tax help. Some seniors, for example, need assistance gathering the necessary papers, such as receipts and forms. Others — for example, the mentally or physically impaired, widows or widowers — might need help navigating the tax maze. Or perhaps they merely need help accurately calculating and filing.

Free tax-preparation assistance is also available from AARP Tax-Aide, a free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service. It’s specifically designed for taxpayers with low and moderate incomes and provides special attention to seniors.

But for the best financial preparation at tax time, it’s best to have a good, qualified financial advisor. That’s the most reliable way to get a fair shake from the IRS.

Posted in Money | 2 Comments »

Fantasize to Start a Conversion

January 6th, 2010

The conversation between generations can begin by fantasizing the most comfortable and fulfilling last stage of life possible, both for your parents and for yourselves. Yes, we too, will be there one day and deserve our plan as well.

The powerful personal sharing of these fantasies opens the minds of family members to new possibilities for how they can create their last stage of living. Such sharing frequently elicits astounding misinterpretations of what our parents and each other truly want to happen! How poignantly significant it is to understand exactly what family members envision and desire at the pinnacle of their life!

These conversations become the foundation for creating a plan with your parents and for yourselves.

What issues must be addressed?

* Where and/or with whom will you live?
* What pleasurable, exciting activities will you participate in?
* Where and with whom will you travel?
* What experiences will you have to avoid any regrets at life’s end?
* How will you fund your plans for the rest of your life?
* When and how will you complete all legal transactions, such as Last Will and Testament and Advanced Directives?
* Which family members/friends/experts will be responsible for managing your finances, medical/psychiatric, legal issues and funeral arrangements when you no longer can?
* After making the plan, notify all participating parties, providing them with copies of documents relevant to their designated responsibility.

Posted in Family | 4 Comments »

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