Webinar in Review: Carepartners Passage Through Dementia

Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®

More and more of our clients and families are being impacted by dementia.  What is it and how does it impact those diagnosed and those who are caring for them?

Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. While it is believed there are over 50 different types of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent type, with more than 5 million people currently living with this specific type.  1 in 9 seniors has Alzheimer’s disease, but half don’t know it.  There are currently medications available to slow the progression of dementia, but there is no cure.

Most individuals with dementia are being cared for by family caregivers.  Having knowledge about the signs and progression of different types of dementia can be extremely helpful to both the person with the disease and the caregiver.  Planning ahead to make sure that the appropriate legal and care plans are in place in advance can relieve a tremendous amount of stress from everyone involved.

Realizing that the person with dementia is still the same person, just with a disease, is essential.

Dr. Paula Duren shared with us the 5 Foundational Care Concepts for Caregivers of individuals with dementia:

1. Everyone has basic human needs

2. You are the one with the healthy brain

3. Be a good detective

4. They may not remember your words but they will remember your spirit/energy

5. Know that every behavior is an effort to communicate

Dr. Duren of Universal Dementia Caregivers also teaches care strategies for caregivers about how to work effectively with those they are caring for.  She also works with caregivers to care for themselves.  After all, if caregivers are not healthy and strong, they cannot care for their loved ones with dementia fully. 

Listen to the replay of our webinar “Carepartners Passage Through Dementia” for additional tips and information AND watch for information about our May workshop for caregivers being facilitated by Dr. Duren.

Sandra Adams, CFP® is a Partner and Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® Sandy specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and is a frequent speaker on related topics. In addition to her frequent contributions to Money Centered, she is regularly quoted in national media publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine and Journal of Financial Planning.

This information has been obtained from sources deemed to be reliable but its accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. Raymond James is not affiliated with Dr. Paula Duren.

How Do You Want to Be Remembered?

Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®

On a recent flight, I took the opportunity to browse the movie selection and found a film I had never heard before, but that peaked my interest.  “The Last Word” with Shirley MacLaine, while not the greatest movie from the view of a film critic, was on point with some lessons about how we live our lives and how we want to be remembered once we are gone.  Having been touched with a handful of recent deaths in my personal and professional life, this touched a nerve with me.

The movie “The Last Word” tells the story of a woman facing the end of her life.  As someone who has always felt the need for control and brutal honesty, she finds herself wanting to craft her own obituary.  Realizing that the keys to any great obituary are: the person is deeply loved by their families (she is divorced with a non-existent relationship with her only daughter), the person is respected by co-workers (she realizes she alienated many of the people she worked with by the way she treated them in her working life), and the person has somehow touched an unexpected person in a profound way (something she has never done).  With her time running out, she sets out to find a way to “fix” what has gone wrong in the past and make her life worthy of a great obituary.  On her journey to improve her life in the memory of others, she reminds us to make a difference in people’s lives, to make every day count, and to take risks.  After all, she says, “When you fail, you learn.  When you fail, you live.”

Many of us are so busy doing the day-to-day things that we need to do that we never really consider what we are doing with our lives or what impact we want to have on others during the course of our lives.  Working with clients on their path to, through and after retirement, we have conversations about making sure that financial goals are tied to things that make their life most fulfilling and meaningful — it’s not just about the money.  As my partner Matt Chope, CFP© likes to say, “We try to help clients make the most out of the one life they have to live.” 

When you look back on your life, what do you want to be remembered for?  What impact do you want to have on the world?  On others?  Are you being intentional about living that life?  If not, start now.  And work with your financial planner to make sure those life goals are incorporated into your overall plan.

Sandra Adams, CFP® is a Partner and Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® Sandy specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and is a frequent speaker on related topics. In addition to her frequent contributions to Money Centered, she is regularly quoted in national media publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine and Journal of Financial Planning.

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Any opinions are those of Sandra Adams and not necessarily those of Raymond James.

Why it’s Time to Start Asking More Questions

Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®

I recently took a week-long family trip with my husband and son (a senior in high school).  This was a rare occasion for the three of us to spend some time together and communicate — away from the TVs, devices and to actually get my son out of his room and away from his Xbox. Getting information out of teenagers — especially boys — about what is going on in their lives is like “getting blood out of a turnip” as they say. 

As with many of our family members, friends and co-workers that we may have difficulty communicating with, rather than become frustrated that we are not getting the information we are looking for, or find that we are “stuck” trying to help or plan for someone that is not helping in the process, we took a different path on our trip.  We decided that I would try to open the door by asking some open ended questions...and then try being quiet.  We just listened and gave space.  It took several days into our trip for our son to start opening up, but once he started, the results were amazing — he talked to us about things that he had never spoken about, asked our advice about some things that were going on at school, and began taking part in “adult” conversations right before our eyes.

Such conversations can and need to take place in many circumstances in our lives.  Whether it be our aging parents that we are beginning to assist, and we aren’t sure of their future desires for their own aging futures; our children as they transition into adulthood; or conversations with ourselves as we determine our next steps in life (transitioning into retirement, transitioning into a new career, figuring out what life looks like after divorce or the death of a spouse).  All of these conversations start with asking the right questions...and then listening...to others or ourselves.  Spending time on this process is important and does not happen overnight, but the results can be life changing.

Start the New Year by committing to start asking questions of those people you want to communicate more clearly with, or about those situations you want to move forward on.  If you are not sure what questions you need to be asking or how to start this process, please feel free to reach out for our help!

Sandra Adams, CFP® is a Partner and Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® Sandy specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and is a frequent speaker on related topics. In addition to her frequent contributions to Money Centered, she is regularly quoted in national media publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine and Journal of Financial Planning.

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Any opinions are those of Sandra Adams, CFP®, and not necessarily those of Raymond James.

Helping Older Relatives? How to Help Without Jeopardizing Your Own Finances

Contributed by: Matthew E. Chope, CFP®

Helping elderly family members with financial issues can be tricky.  In many cases, you may feel an obligation to assist, especially if the older adult is on a fixed budget and has limited financial resources. In fact, a recent MetLife study found that 68% of American caregivers have been found to spend their own money to support the needs of their older adult relatives, which drained funds that they had planned to use for their own financial independence. If you sense that an elder you care about is on a trajectory for financial ruin, what can you do to help? 

How do you step in and assist without putting your own financial security in jeopardy? 

The first thing to do is to gather some information to get a better sense of your loved one’s financial picture.  You’ll want to have an understanding of their assets and debts, and their budget:  their sources of income and their expenses. With the understanding of what income and what bills and expenses the older adult is dealing with, you can better connect with resources that may be able to assist them.

A client (let us call him John) told me a story recently about how he helped his older sister in-law (let us call her Bonnie) make some difficult decisions.  Bonnie was not a high-income earner in her working years. Although she was able to purchase her home and pay off her mortgage; she didn’t save much, and she had now depleted her savings.  At age 75, the reverse mortgage that Bonnie had put in place, in addition to her minimal Social Security income were not enough to keep up with her rising costs for health care (Medicare premiums and prescription drug co-pays), property taxes, insurances and utilities.

Here are the actions John took to help Bonnie with her situation:

1. John discovered that the county would allow her to apply for a reduced or total removal of real estate taxes through the property tax poverty exemption. As a result, Bonnie received a full exemption from her property taxes. Each county has a program for low-income folks - you need to complete an application and appear before a board of review annually. Here is a link with more information: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/treasury/Bulletin7of2010_322157_7.pdf

2. John contacted low-income home energy assistance (LIHEAP) and received a reduction in electricity and heating costs for Bonnie. https://www.benefits.gov/benefits/benefit-details/1545

3. John contacted Human ARC Premium Assist about receiving a significant reduction in Medicare Part B premiums; as an added bonus, they also provided assistance with Bonnie’s prescription drug costs. https://screening.humanarc.com/PremiumAssist

4. While online at the premium assistance site, John found more information about special coverages for things like medical alert, ambulance/transportation assistance, and a 1.25% copay for prescriptions.

5. John contacted Social Services about food stamps and Bonnie is now receiving about $97 more a month through a program called SNAP. http://www.feedingamerica.org/need-help-find-food/

6. For Bonnie’s auto insurance, John pays the whole year upfront and Bonnie pays John back monthly so she can take advantage of the discount for paying the premium annually.

7. John pays Bonnie’s utility bills via automatic payments from his account to avoid late fees, which in the past were a wasteful and unnecessary expense. Bonnie also reimburses John monthly for this.

8. To save money on her cell phone bill, John added Bonnie’s phone line to his plan as an additional line.

9. Bonnie was willing to give up cable TV – John found that an inexpensive antenna works fine and they were able to rid Bonnie of her monthly cable bill.

With a little bit of creativity and resourcefulness, John was able to assist Bonnie while also preserving his own financial resources.  If you or someone you know is in the position of assisting an older adult and needs help putting together a strategy, please let us know.  We are here to help!

Matthew E. Chope, CFP ® is a Partner and Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® Matt has been quoted in various investment professional newspapers and magazines. He is active in the community and his profession and helps local corporations and nonprofits in the areas of strategic planning and money and business management decisions.

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This information has been obtained from sources deemed to be reliable but its accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. The case study provided is hypothetical and has been included for illustrative purposes only. Individuals cases will vary. Links are being provided for informational purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website's users and/or members. Neither Raymond James Financial Services nor any Raymond James Financial Advisor renders advice on tax, legal, or mortgage issues, these matters should be discussed with the appropriate professional. 

Sandy’s Spring Teaching at Schoolcraft College

Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®

I am excited to let you know that for a second semester am going to be teaching courses for Schoolcraft College as part of the Continuing Education and Professional Development Program.  As always, the opportunity to share my knowledge and passion in the areas of financial planning and gerontology is exciting for me. 

The classes I will be teaching again, in April are:

Serving as a Financial Fiduciary: 
April 2nd, 2018, from 6-9pm

Being responsible for someone else’s finances can be a huge weight to carry. Learn what it means to serve in the role of a financial fiduciary — persons required to always act in the best financial interest of those they are serving.  Learn where to find guidance and resources, avoid scams, and how to establish sound, long-term planning.

Long Life Planning:
Mondays for three weeks starting April 9th, 2018, from 6-8pm

Go beyond traditional retirement planning and tackle topics such as long-term care planning, difficult conversations with family, aging, and end-of-life planning.  Discuss resources, downsizing, housing and care options, legal and financial guidance and more.  Plan now for your later long life.

If you or someone you know might be interested in attending one of these or other courses offered by the Schoolcraft Continuing Education and Professional Development program, find more information here:  www.schoolcraft.edu/cepd

Sandra Adams, CFP® is a Partner and Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® Sandy specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and is a frequent speaker on related topics. In addition to her frequent contributions to Money Centered, she is regularly quoted in national media publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine and Journal of Financial Planning.

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Raymond James is not affiliated with Schoolcraft College. Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website's users and/or members.

Webinar in Review: Grief and Healing

Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 24% of the U.S. population over the age of 65 is widowed.  But widowhood impacts people of all ages, and the effects are often more painful and long lasting when the loss happens earlier in life.  At The Center, we have worked with clients of all ages that have, expectedly or unexpectedly, been impacted by the loss of a spouse. Each person goes through a different grief process and has his or her own individual experience with grief and loss.  The transition is one that is difficult and can take years — but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

On December 12th, Dr. Peter Lichtenberg joined us to present a webinar on Grief and Healing.  Dr. Lichtenberg, who was twice widowed by the age of 55, shared his own personal experience with grief and loss — twice.  While each experience was different in its own right, he was able to learn about himself while learning to honor and keep with him the spirit of two women that he has loved so deeply in his life. Dr. Lichtenberg provided information about patterns of grief, feelings to be aware of when experiencing loss, and advice on how to get through the hard times to get to a point of acceptance and rebuilding of a new life. 

Dr. Lichtenberg’s Lessons Learned from his Grief and Loss experiences:

1. Don’t underestimate the power of loss early on.

2. Have the right person stay with you after the death.

3. Plan and be prepared (estate planning documents, etc.)

4. Arrange the funeral or memorial service the way you want it, and let others help you with the final details.

5. If you have children, find a way to keep the same routine, and keep them in their routine.

6. Communicate, communicate, communicate — especially during the first month.

7. Find a professional skilled in dealing with death and dying who can listen and help you on your journey.

8. Think about how you want to talk about your loved one.

9. The journey of grief will bring you in touch with your frailties; try to view this as a journey of growth and exploration.

10. Revisit notes, letters and pictures from your loved one. These affirmations are a powerful force in healing.

11. Experience as much gratitude as you can. Gratitude is a powerful healing force that allows you to live in the present.

12. Know what depression is, and how it differs from grief.

If you were unable to listen to the webinar on December 12th, we encourage to listen to the replay. And if you or someone you know has experienced the loss of a loved one and needs assistance or resources, please feel free to reach out to us at The Center.  We are here to help!

Sandra Adams, CFP® is a Partner and Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® Sandy specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and is a frequent speaker on related topics. In addition to her frequent contributions to Money Centered, she is regularly quoted in national media publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine and Journal of Financial Planning.

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The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Dr. Litchenberg is not affiliated with Raymond James.

Guidance on How to Care for Your Aging Parent

Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®

More and more often as we meet with clients, one of the major topics that comes up is the responsibility of caring for an aging parent.  The topic is one that causes a great deal of stress and anxiety, as most clients that find themselves in this role have no idea where to start.  I am always looking for tools and resources that might be helpful for both clients and planners in assisting our clients in this area, and recently read a book called “The Bittersweet Season” by Jane Gross that I consider a must read for anyone who is a caregiver now or might be in the near future.

Jane Gross, the author of “The Bittersweet Season” and creator of the New York Times New Old Age blog, shares her personal journey becoming a caregiver for her aging mother.   Jane and her brother are suddenly thrust into the world of advocacy and planning for their aging mother as her health suddenly declines in her 80’s.  Jane tells of their trials, tribulations, errors and successes as they navigate the unknown worlds of healthcare, Medicare and Medicaid, senior housing, caregiving and elder law.  She shares her best tips based on lessons learned – both through personal experience and through others based on her New Old Age blog.  Two of her greatest lessons learned were not to act before checking in with experts and to ask for help – there is no need to try to do everything on your own.

In the book, Jane also discussed the successes and failures of the roles of caregiving between siblings; determining whose strengths matched which roles best and how to best manage emotions so as not to let the stress of caregiving destroy the relationship between her and her brother.  She also tells a wonderful story about the ups and downs of the relationship between she and her mother during the caregiving relationship, and how, ultimately, the experience brought she and her mother closer together. And how she wished she’d had just a little more time to get to know her mother – the end of her life was the end of their bittersweet season.

For recommendations on additional resources and tools for caregiving, or to discuss how caregiving for an aging parent might impact your own financial plan, contact your financial planner at The Center.

Sandra Adams, CFP® is a Partner and Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® Sandy specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and is a frequent speaker on related topics. In addition to her frequent contributions to Money Centered, she is regularly quoted in national media publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine and Journal of Financial Planning.

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Any opinions are those of Sandra D. Adams and not necessarily those of Raymond James.

Military Veteran’s – Are you Entitled to Benefits?

Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®

As we honor our servicemen and women, it is a good time to be mindful of valuable financial benefits that military veterans may be eligible for, but not aware of – namely Service Related Disability Compensation and Veteran’s Pensions (and Aid and Attendance Benefits for Long Term Care needs).

Disability Compensation:

Disability Compensation is a tax free financial benefit paid to Veterans with disabilities that are the result of a disease or injury incurred during active military service.  Compensation may also be paid for post-service disabilities that are considered related or secondary to disabilities occurring in service and for disabilities presumed to be related to military service.  Compensation is tied to the degree of disability and is designed to compensate for considerable loss of working time.  There is also a tax free Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefit payable to a surviving spouse, child or dependent parents of Service members who died while in active duty or training, or survivors of Veterans who died from their service-connected disabilities.

Pension Benefits:

Veteran’s Pension benefits may be available for Veterans or dependent family members who need to pay for health care expense and certain other living expenses.  The pension benefit is a needs based program and is based on income and asset requirements set by Congress. 

General Eligibility Requirements:

• Must have served at least 90 days active duty service, at least one day during a wartime period, AND

• Must be 65 or older, OR

• Must be totally and permanently disabled, OR

• A patient in a nursing home receiving skilled nursing care, OR

• Receiving Social Security Disability Insurance, OR

• Receiving Supplementary Security Income

Veterans or surviving spouses who are eligible for VA pensions and are housebound or require the aid and attendance of another persona may be eligible for an additional monetary payment.  Applying may require the counsel of a VA counselor or an Elder Law attorney knowledgeable about Veteran’s Benefits.

In addition to these two major financial benefits, the VA provides assistance for Veteran’s with housing, education, insurance and other areas of concern and interest for Veteran’s.  If you are a military Veteran and are not aware of the benefits you might be eligible for, contact your local Veteran’s Service Agency today.  And remember to mention to your financial planner that you are a military Veteran – the benefits you might be eligible for could be an important piece in your overall planning puzzle!

Sandra Adams, CFP® is a Partner and Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® Sandy specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and is a frequent speaker on related topics. In addition to her frequent contributions to Money Centered, she is regularly quoted in national media publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine and Journal of Financial Planning.

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The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Sandra Adams, CFP® and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.

BrainStorm: A Workout for the Mind

Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, mental decline as we age appears to be largely due to altered connections among brain cells.  But research has found that keeping the brain active seems to increase its vitality and may build its reserves of brains cells and connections – maybe even enough to generate new brain cells!  You don’t have to turn your life upside down or make extreme changes to see the results.  Just ask the folks at Wayne State University’s Institute of Gerontology who recently presented their Brainstorm! Program for nearly 100 Center clients and guests! 

Brainstorm! is a research-based wellness program developed by the Institute that addresses multiple facets of brain health, as well as physical, emotional and spiritual health.  The presentations were filled with hands-on activities, humor, and social interaction designed to target key cognitive skills. 

Four Key Tips from BrainStorm:

1. No Strain, No Train. Activities must be challenging if you want the brain to grow new cells and make new connections. Concentrate, focus and pay attention. If crossword puzzles are easy for you, try math problems or vice versa. Force your brain to stay awake with daily surprises like brushing your teeth or eating dinner with your non-dominant hand or placing framed photos upside down. The brain responds to novelty, but will get lazy and fall into ruts if you let it.

2. Gather with Others. Socializing is a major brain stimulant. We talk, listen, interpret social cues and sometimes share an activity - all at the same time -- quite a positive brain challenge! Regular social activity also deepens friendships, calms anxiety and lifts our mood. Depression and loneliness take a tough toll on memory, so open your door (and heart) to others for a healthier, happier brain.

3. Sleep Deep. At least four consecutive hours of deep sleep a night lets us organize the thousands of thoughts and experiences we have every day. Without deep sleep, our brains start to look like a hoarder's house with clutter piled everywhere. When this happens, we can't find the mental information we're looking for (like the name of the neighbor who is now at the door). Sleep well and let your brain get organized. Aim for seven to eight hours a night and make four of those uninterrupted.

4. Move. A healthy brain needs a strong oxygen supply for all its cells - it uses 20% of all the oxygen we breathe in. Keep arteries open and flowing freely with 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week. Aerobic means you're breathing more heavily and your heart is beating a little faster. Aim for 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week. Your physician can tell you what's safe, but most folks are fine with a brisk walk. A healthy brain needs a healthy body to sustain it.

Our job is to make sure that financial resources support you for your lifetime and that you have a strong financial partner to guide you along the way.  Helping you to achieve an excellent quality of life (including great brain health) to allow you to enjoy those years and meet all of your life goals is something else we would like to accomplish.  All it takes is a little help from you! 

Sandra Adams, CFP® is a Partner and Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® Sandy specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and is a frequent speaker on related topics. In addition to her frequent contributions to Money Centered, she is regularly quoted in national media publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine and Journal of Financial Planning.

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Raymond James is not affiliated with Wayne State University Institute of Gerontology.

The Importance of Friendships as We Age

Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®, CeFT™

As a younger planner, I remember hearing planners older and wiser than I counseling clients to think twice before making the decision to leave their lifelong homes and communities upon retirement to move near children in a distant state (or country).  Despite that advice, many clients still think the best move as they age is to be nearest children (and grandchildren). 

However, they often regret that decision for a number of reasons:

• They find their families have their own lives to live and just don’t have the time to spend with them that they thought they would (spending time with “Mom and Dad” is not a priority);

• They may find that their children decide to relocate again, and then they are left in a location that they are unfamiliar with and have no family or community to call their own;

• Most importantly, they find that they truly miss the friends and community they spent years building.

Several conversations in client meetings recently have confirmed to me the importance of longtime friendships in the lives of older adult clients.  Friendships are especially important to those who have been widowed; it seems that family members provide support immediately after a death, but once they have a need to go back to their normal routines, it is friends that provide the emotional and social support that help widows get through the next months and years that are most difficult.  And for many older adults who have attempted to move away and start friendships in unknown communities, they realize that it is their longtime friendships that they truly value and miss (and sometimes find themselves wanting to come back to in older age).

Studies by the National Institutes of Health show that maintaining friendships and staying socially active are key components to a happy, healthy longer life.  Making the right decisions about where to live and near who are key decisions for quality of life and part of your retirement planning.  If you have not yet had these conversations about YOUR future retirement plan, contact your financial planner today.

Sandra Adams, CFP® , CeFT™ is a Partner and Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® Sandy specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and is a frequent speaker on related topics. In addition to her frequent contributions to Money Centered, she is regularly quoted in national media publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine and Journal of Financial Planning.

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This information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete. Opinions expressed are those of Sandra Adams and are not necessarily those of Raymond James.