Here are three strategies to help you set up a workable budget and stick to it:

1. Save more money. This may seem a simple solution, but in many cases the simpler the solution, the easier it is to implement. Once you’ve charted your income and expenses, you can look at what’s left over and make a decision to bank 10 to 20% (or more) of your income. If you find that 10% is too much, start smaller and work your way up. Being successful at socking away 3% of your income weekly will help you build toward a higher percentage going into your savings on a regular basis. Once you discover that you can live without that additional 3% or more you can move your savings amount up to the ultimate goal you’ve chosen.
2. Spend less money. Saying you’re going to “save money and cut expenses” is a vague generalization and won’t offer a measurable goal. Set a specific goal of, “I’d like to spend $10 a week less on take-out food,” or “We’re not going to use a credit card for purchases of less than $100.” Those goals are measurable and achievable. Unsubscribing to department store emails and updates may help you save money because you won’t be tempted to give into an impulse purchase. Also, before you make a purchase over a certain dollar amount, take time to ponder that purchase. Studies show that individuals that don’t give into an impulse purchase, but who instead take a few days or a week to determine whether they truly need an item will spend close to 25% less annually than those who purchase on impulse. Consider the impact on your long-term financial goals before making a purchase of a large ticket item.
3. Pay down your debt. Paying down credit card balances, especially as you near retirement age, makes incredible financial sense. Paying down your debt also allows you the opportunity to put more money into your bank account. In addition to freeing up your money, paying off debt can also lower your stress simply because they won’t be looming over your retirement years. You may need to put the brakes on some of the activities you currently enjoy such as dinners out with friends, splurge purchases, etc. Look for free or low cost entertainment options, invite friends to a potluck at your home, take time to consider whether you truly need that large ticket item. If you know, for example, that you have set a goal to pay cash for all purchases of $50 or less it may make you pause to consider whether you need to make the purchase at all. Putting an item on a credit card rarely requires thought and is usually not thought of again… until the bill comes due.

Having sound financial practices in place prior to your retirement will help you more fully enjoy your golden years.

Retirement (Photo credit: 401(K) 2013)

The onset of PD oftentimes leads to dementia. Hallucinations and severe uncontrollable muscle difficulties make patients more susceptible to cognitive impairments. Dementia only worsens over time. With each passing year, decline gets faster. While dementia is typically associated with Alzheimer’s Disease, there are numerous types of dementia.

It is estimated that 20-30 percent of those with PD will develop dementia, typically after the age of 70. Caregivers looking after someone with PD should be aware of onset signs including:

• Impaired and slow thinking
• Decreased memory recall and processing
• Distraction
• Confusion and disorientation

If someone with Parkinson’s Disease is going to develop dementia, there is typically a lag time of at least 10 to 15 years after the onset of PD. Knowing the signs of dementia will make it easier to diagnose and treat. If your loved one is experiencing anxiety, restlessness or delusions, it is likely that their dementia is not caused by Parkinson’s Disease.

Changing Daily Living Habits

Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s Disease is difficult enough and adjusting to dementia presents its own set of stress. Caregivers need to assess the way their loved one is cared for along with how the added stress of the disease is playing into their own life. Both the caregiver and the care recipient need to make changes to their daily routine to manage the disease.

• Instead of asking your loved one what they would like to eat, offer them specific choices. Your loved one may be unable to name a specific food they want, and as a result may feel frustrated. By offering them specific choices they are able to pick an option without having to process too many choices.
• Establish schedules and stick to them. It may be helpful to create a list that is located next to  your loved one’s bed that provides a detailed list of everyday activities, including waking up, putting on slippers, getting dressed etc. When their daily routine is broken down, patients with PD are better able to avoid frustration since they know what to expect and the order in which they should complete certain activities.
• Medications may need to be locked away as your loved one’s dementia worsens. If they are unable to remember which medications to take and when, locking away their medication will make their environment a little more safe.
• Keep your loved one’s living environment clutter-free. By ridding their living situation of extraneous objects their decision-making processes will be a lot smoother.
• Remove any objects that may cause harm to your loved one. Keeping sharp objects like knives out of sight and out of reach will make your loved one’s living environment less dangerous. Small appliances, ladders and stepping stools should also only be used when under supervision.
• Utilize card games, puzzles, music and journals to exercise their memory.
• When it comes to their wardrobe, the less hassle, the better. Clothes with snaps and buttons can present a challenge, whereas slip-on clothing and velcro offer a more user-friendly alternative.
• Provide your loved one with a medical alert system like LifeFone to ensure help is always available to them at the touch of a button. All of their medical history, preferred doctors, and loved ones to contact in case of emergency will be on hand if they are equipped with a LifeFone pendant or bracelet.

Assessing Finances

Before your loved one’s dementia worsens it is best to develop a plan for finances and assess how their assets will be used. Consider preparing a financial and living will. Consult a financial planner to determine how their assets should be used, dissolved and distributed. You should also look into long-term care options and decide how bills should be paid on an ongoing basis. Assessing their finances in advance will deter added stress in the future.

While many people who have Parkinson’s never develop dementia, it is important to make adjustments and know your medical options for the 20-30 percent of patients who do. You will find that some adjustments can be made gradually as the dementia worsens, while other changes will need to be made right away. Communication with your loved one’s doctor is key in managing the disease as effectively as possible.

As a caregiver, there are steps you can take to protect your elderly loved ones:

1.  Make sure the home is secure. Check the locks on doors and windows. Install a home alarm system with motion detectors and automatic indoor & outdoor lights. Make sure to post signs alerting vandals to the fact that the home has a security system. Another safety measure is to equip your relatives with a emergency medical device; these medical alert pendants provide a lifeline to outside help and assistance in the time of need.
2. Trim all bushes around the house to eliminate any potential hiding places for a would-be burglar. Install doors with peepholes and advise them to not open the door to strangers. Never put keys under a door mat or other outdoor hiding spot. These are too easily discovered. Ask a trusted neighbor or friend that lives close to hold onto the extra key.
3. Make certain the house number is painted in bright colors and large numbers to make it easy to find if emergency responders need to visit.
4. Make certain additional cash isn’t left lying around the house. Keep enough cash on hand for daily needs, but keep large sums in the bank.
5. Warn your elderly relatives to never give any personal or financial information over the phone. Make sure they are aware that no one – other than a family member – would ever be calling to solicit financial information. If your relatives are tech savvy and have signed up for online banking, make sure they are knowledgeable about the scams where it looks like their financial institution is asking them to sign in using the provided link. Their bank would never make this request, it is a scam.
6. Don’t let your relatives make deals with door-to-door sales people. The scams perpetrated on the elderly involve everything from being overcharged for putting a new roof on the home to sealing the driveway to simply letting someone into the house so they can get the “lay of the land” and break in later. If, for example, your relatives need a new vacuum cleaner or a roof or driveway work, they should talk to you to help them get estimates from reputable contractors or take them to the store to make their purchases.
7. If your relatives are still mobile and drive themselves to their appointments make sure they never carry more cash with them than what they need for that excursion. Also, advise them to not travel into areas with which they aren’t familiar. They should also always lock their car doors each time they get out. In some cases, it’s a good idea to lock the doors when driving along in unfamiliar locations.

These safety tips that will provide both the caregiver and the aging relative with peace of mind as they continue to age in place.

Related articles

• Preparing To Move An Aging Parent Into Your Home (lifefoneblog.com)
• Opening The Lines of Communication With Your Elderly Relatives (lifefoneblog.com)

Thinking about death is a topic that no one wants to bring up at a family gathering but when you understand that your prior planning will make it easier on your loved ones, the importance of this vital task becomes more evident. Also, if you don’t make legal plans, the state government will step in and make determinations on how to distribute the assets of your life’s work.

Here are five tips on how to make the process easier on the family:

1. Talk to experts. While there are online sites where you can put your will together, it’s best to have a face-to-face meeting with a legal advisor that can walk you through the steps of preparing a will. Even if you don’t believe you have “enough assets” to make this worthwhile, it is still the best course of action. An attorney can help you draw up the documents, help you file the paperwork and keep a copy of the document safe until the time it’s needed (make certain your family members know who your attorney is and that they have a copy of the will as well.) Working with a lawyer that specializes in wills and estate planning will help your loved ones retain the most ownership in the assets you’re bequeathing. Ask for a free consultation with an estate planning lawyer so you are aware of what the costs might be and so you understand what you would need to bring to an initial appointment.
2. Divvying up your possessions is something you can determine on your own, but you may want input from your family. There may be a set of china or other possession that a particular family member would love to have as a memento and those emotional attachments to items should be taken into consideration where possible. Bring your family members into the discussion so they are aware that you are going to, for example, “divide the estate up into five equal portions,” or that, “Jimmy is going to be the executor and therefore his share will be a bit larger than the others’.” Make certain the distribution of items are put into writing and added to your will.
3. Consider setting up a trust for your survivors. You don’t have to be a millionaire to set up a trust. A trust, is a document that is a supplement to a will that helps manage the distribution of assets. Ask your attorney whether a trust is advisable for your particular situation. You may also want to consider setting up a trust for your survivors as a whole, rather than divvying it up individually.  Trusts are not for everyone and every situation, but it may be something to consider.
4. Enjoy your assets while you’re still here! While it is nice to think that your children and grandchildren will benefit from your life of having lived frugally, consider the joy everyone would reap if you enjoy your retirement years to the fullest. Plan family trips, give monetary gifts to your loved ones, help out with college tuition or the down payment on a home (make sure you talk with your legal advisor on potential tax ramifications). It may be better to enjoy your family by sharing the wealth while you’re still here to enjoy it with them – within reason, of course.
5. There is no time like the present. As we know, circumstances can change in an instant. Regardless of your age, and regardless of the amount of assets you believe you have, the time is now to begin thinking about your estate planning and the writing of a will. You want to ensure that you have been the one to make the final decisions on the distribution of your assets to your family – not the government.

Why not plan a time to gather your family for a serious discussion on estate planning and the writing of your will. Having the family involved may take away the dread of having to face such a task.

retirement (Photo credit: 401(K) 2013)

The truth, though, for many individuals as they near retirement age is that they may not be as prepared as they’d imagined they were, nor have they used their accumulated wealth in the most fiscally sound manner.

Many of us that have reached, or are nearing retirement age, understand that planning for retirement is difficult, but living in retirement can be even more of a challenge. There are steps that can be taken, and retirement myths that must be debunked for those of us that are nearing retirement age, they are:

1. Having $1 million in cash, assets and 401Ks will be enough. In the past, this may have been true, but in 2013, $1 million doesn’t buy what it used to, and saving that much in assets is out of reach for many middle class Americans. Working with a financial advisor and making certain he understands your retirement desires – travel, lifestyle, etc. – will go a long way in help you ensure you have the funds you need when you’re in your Golden Years.
2. Healthcare costs may be a big budget item, but it’s not likely that it will be the biggest you will face in retirement. The number one expense most retirees face are taxes. The fact that many individuals will be drawing money from assets they have enjoyed tax deferral status on during their working years, is not one that is always considered when retirement draws near. It’s important to work with your financial advisor to devise a plan to meet the tax responsibilities that arise when you begin drawing on your tax deferred retirement savings.
3. Moving to a smaller home will reap large rewards. While in some instances a smaller home may be more beneficial for some individuals, downsizing to save money may not be the end result. In some cases, it may be more cost effective to remodel the existing family home to meet the needs of the aging residents. When you consider the fact that many seniors will have paid off the family home, it may not make sense for them to take on another mortgage payment. For example, closing off the upper floors and moving the living space to a ground floor may make more sense. Age-proofing the home with updated, senior friendly bathroom fixtures and rearranging cupboard space could be more cost effective and allow the senior to age in place in familiar surroundings. Additionally, the investment in a home medical alert system also provides peace of mind to the senior and the family members that if a medical emergency arises, the senior will have immediate access to health care at the push of a button.
4. Speaking of homes and mortgages, it may not always make sense to pay off one’s home mortgage early; this hinges on the interest rate on the home as compared to interest rates on other items you’re paying off on a monthly basis. If you have a mortgage that has a low interest rate, and if mortgage interest remains a tax deductible expense, it may make sense to simply pay additional amounts on the monthly mortgage payment rather than cashing in a retirement account to pay it off entirely. Paying off high interest rate car loans or credit card debt is a more fiscally sound approach.
5. Don’t rely on Medicare to cover your healthcare expenses. The purpose of Medicare is to provide coverage in the event of a catastrophic illness or injury, not as a way to cover healthcare costs. Medigap and other supplemental coverages are available for individuals in need of healthcare coverage. It is best to check on costs and providers for additional healthcare coverage prior to retirement.

Planning early for retirement is the best course of action, but even those individuals who haven’t taken the time to meet with a financial advisor in the past, can reap the benefits as a way to make living in retirement a more enjoyable venture.

There are steps you can take to care for and remain involved in your aging parents’ lives even when you live hundreds or even thousands of miles away:

• Solicit help from others. It’s almost impossible to go it alone when trying to care for elderly loved ones when you’re not in the same area as they are. Look for friends, family members, church friends, or neighbors on whom you can rely to check in on your relatives and report back. Look for someone that can help them with daily tasks if necessary.
• Uncover community resources and take advantage of them. Look for federal, state and local senior resources in their hometown and give them a call. Find out what kind of services they provide and how you can get your parents involved in those services. They could range from a Meals-on-Wheels meal delivery service or shuttle rides to and from shopping centers or doctor visits.
• Make certain you are involved in your parents’ medical conditions and that you are listed as a health care proxy and that you have interaction with their physician. Also, keep an up to date list of the medications and health issues your parents are dealing with and keep all of this vital health information together in one place. Ask the doctor for advice on helping your parents manage their health even though you’re not in the area.
• Keep all important documents in a safe place in the event you’re called upon to be a health care proxy or exercise a power of attorney. You should also have copies of your parent’s driver’s licenses, home ownership and legal papers, medical insurance and other critical documents.
• When you’re visiting make certain you schedule enough time to spend with them so you’re not feeling rushed. You want to be able to gauge their health and living conditions and address any issues you may become aware of. Don’t let the visit be all about “checking up on them.” Plan time for a movie or a dinner out or a day excursion.
• Do a visual inspection of the home when you’re there. Is it clean? Is there food in the house? Are there any possible health hazards or trip and fall hazards? Are there minor repair items that need to be addressed? Take care of this when you’re visiting. Would your parents benefit from the installation of a  home medical monitoring device? If they’re having health issues and are not comfortable using the telephone, giving them a medical alert device could be a literal lifesaver and will provide the family with peace of mind.

As a caregiver, whether you live close by or out of state, you need to know your own limits and gauge where your strengths lie. If you have other family members that are involved spend some time divvying up the tasks and assign them to the person with the greatest skill in that particular area. Remember, at some point a decision may have to be made to move your aging parents out of the family home and into an assisted living facility and that process is easier if the entire family is involved.

Related articles

• Senior Financial Care And Planning (lifefoneblog.com)
• Preparing To Move An Aging Parent Into Your Home (lifefoneblog.com)

Items that still have a purpose and are useful should be kept. In reality, though, the senior truly needs to look at all the items with a critical eye and ask: When did I use this item last? Is there someone else that will benefit from it? Making a move to a new space requires letting go of not only personal possessions such as collectible items but perhaps even furniture that is too large for a smaller apartment.

Here are some tips for working with the senior in your life – or for the senior that is looking to make a move on his or her own – on how to downsize with ease:

1. Go into the downsizing project with realistic expectations. You need to be sensitive to your loved ones feelings about the move as well as the need to part with possessions. Put yourself in their position when it comes to parting with items. Prior to the packing and the move, set goals for it and for the downsizing process. There may need to be compromises along the way.
2. Your loved one won’t have to part with all the items that hold a special place in their hearts, but they do need to take steps to simplify their lives and that is part of the reasoning behind the move.
3. What looks old to you, holds special significance to your loved one. The dingy blanket on your dad’s bed may look like it should be headed for the trash but to your dad it is the first gift your mother made him for their first anniversary. Sentimental value of possessions cannot be diminished.
4. Take time for working through the downsizing process. Make certain you set aside enough time, perhaps a week, to go through the items. Prepare to be frustrated at times, but remember, this is a life changing event for your loved one.
5. Rushed decisions will likely be regretted and resentments can set in. If your mom is wavering on an item to either keep or toss, set it aside and put it into storage for a time. If it’s in storage and your mom has forgotten about it, then after a month’s time, feel free to bring the item up and make a decision on its disposition at that time.
6. Grieving is a natural part of disposing of personal possessions. Take photos of sentimental items that your loved decides to part with to provide them with a physical representation of the item without its bulk. Keep in mind that the era in which your parents were raised was one of frugality and the idea of throwing away a “perfectly good” item goes against their upbringing.
7. Celebrate the task once it’s done. Celebrate at the end of each day of packing and acknowledge the progress you’ve made rather than looking at how much you have left.

A move can be a traumatic event for both you and your loved one and is a task that needs to be undertaken with care and tact and with the idea that the move is an exciting new chapter in their lives.

Related articles

• How To Discuss A Potential Move With the Senior In Your Life (lifefoneblog.com)
• Senior Financial Care And Planning (lifefoneblog.com)

Death rates from falls in the elderly rose more than 55% between 1993 and 2003 and that could be because people are living longer, living alone, and are more frail, all factors which increase the likelihood of falls. One of the main reasons cited for admission into nursing homes or assisted living facilities is because of a fall.

As a caregiver, it’s crucial that you remain cognizant of the most common reasons the elderly suffer a fall, they are:

• Medications that can cause disorientation, sleepiness or sleeplessness and dizziness
• Visual impairment caused  by cataracts or glaucoma
• Cognitive impairments caused by either Alzheimer’s or dementia
• Balance issues which could be caused by mobility issues, loss of muscle strength or diminished      flexibility
• Blood sugar or blood pressure issues that could lead to dizziness upon standing

If your relatives are determined to remain independent and age in place, there are steps they can take, and you can help them with, to make that a possibility. Here are some steps you can take to help them avoid a fall and help maintain a stronger body:

• Eating a balanced diet and drinking milk or getting calcium or Vitamin D from the foods they eat will help keep their bones strong.
• Bone-strength building exercises such as walking, dancing, aerobic exercise or resistance training helps build both bone and muscle strength. You should check with their physician first to see if they are healthy enough to undertake an exercise routine. Even if your elderly relatives use a walker or a cane they can still become more active simply by getting up and moving every hour.
• Balance can be improved by practicing yoga and daily stretches
• Annual hearing and vision exams will detect any issues before they cause a trip or fall accident.
• Ask the pharmacist whether any of the medications they take can cause any dizziness issues, especially when used in combination with each other.
• Avoid using alcohol as it can interact with medications and add to drowsiness or dizziness

As part of your elderly relatives aging in place, make certain the home has been age-proofed to prevent trips or falls. Here are some measures to take:

• Make certain hallways and closets are well lit. Install motion sensor lights with timers that will turn on and off upon entering or leaving a room.
• Keep all walkways clear of clutter and power cords
• All rugs should be secured to the floor with non-slip tape
• A lamp should be next to the bed where it can be easily reached during the night. A touch lamp is a great option and prevents having to fumble around in the dark to find the switch.
• All stairways should be in good repair and should have non skid treads on them.
• Handrails should be installed on all stairways and even next to the toilet.
• Grab bars should be installed in the shower and bathtub.
• The bathroom should also have non skid rubber floor mats to prevent stepping onto a wet floor.
• Put items that you use regularly within easy reach. Waist height is ideal placement for items in the kitchen and bathroom.

Helping your elderly relatives age-in-place if a gift for all family members. You can also help your relatives remain independent by offering them a home medical alert device. These devices can be a literal lifesaver in the event of a trip or fall or other health emergency.

Related articles

• Preparing To Move An Aging Parent Into Your Home (lifefoneblog.com)
• Health Tips For The Elderly (lifefoneblog.com)

Here are some thoughts to keep in mind:

• “It can’t be Alzheimer’s because he can remember some life events.” The loss of short term memory is the first to be noticed, but memories created from past life events may still be as clear as day to your loved one. Having an understanding of the way the memory is impacted will help the caregiver or spouse understand the progression of the memory loss and helps them to plan for the future.
• Your loved one is not acting to make you angry. The caregiver needs to keep this front of mind and direct anger or annoyance at the disease, not their aging relative.
• While there is no cure for dementia or Alzheimer’s there are non-drug and drug therapies on the market that can improve quality of life and slow the decline of memory loss. Simply implementing a daily routine of tasks, physical activity and social interaction can help your loved one, and the rest of the family, better cope with the memory loss.
• Resist the urge to correct your spouse or aging parent when they offer an incorrect fact or bit of advice. Keep in mind that using logic with someone suffering dementia is a losing battle for both sides and will likely lead to anger and more confusion. Allow for slips in logic or gaps in the retelling of family stories.
• Staying home and keeping your relative out of the public eye is not the best course of action. Social stimulation coupled with physical activity is what your relative needs at this point, regardless of whether she will retain the memory of the outing. Bringing happiness into your relative’s life is more crucial than the memories she may retain.
• Many caregivers experience guilt when the task of caring for an aging parent or spouse simply becomes too much for one person to tackle. Even if the home is age-proofed and there is adequate help, there may simply come a time when your relative’s medical needs are better met in an assisted living facility and while it is not an easy decision, it is one the entire family needs to discuss prior to the need arising.

Asking for advice and assistance from the family physician and reaching out to local agencies that deal with the issues of the elderly can help the caregiver and family cope with eventualities that arise from the onset of dementia.

Related articles

• MindStart Provides Caregivers with Tips for Individuals Staying Active with Alzheimer’s (prweb.com)

Here are five tips for sharpening your memory:

1. Sit down with your children or grandchildren and play a video game! You’re never too old to learn to play and they just might be good for your brain power. Playing multi-player video games or online role playing games have been proven to boost cognitive function according to a study from the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Because video games involve the use of several different mental abilities including hand-eye coordination, problem solving, reaction time and simply paying attention, your brain gets a workout while you play.
2. Spend time in mindful meditation. Researchers from UCLA discovered that individuals who meditated had more (physical gray matter) brain power than those who didn’t.  The reason for this could be that even though our brains shrink as we age, meditation may slow the shrinking process. Take time, several times a day to quietly contemplate and relax.
3. Get up and move and even lift some weights! While you don’t want to start an exercise routine without first clearing it with your physician, it’s been shown in Alzheimer’s studies that individuals who lifted weights and increased their muscle strength were less likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Also, the simple act of being active stimulates your synapses and keeps you more alert. Being physically active can also help prevent the risk of trip and fall accidents as your joints, muscles and bones are strengthened through use and activity.
4. Lose weight and pick up healthy habits. Everyone knows the risks of smoking and health but it’s also been found that heavy smokers were at a higher risk (70%) of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s. Eating healthy and exercising as a way to ward off obesity may also prevent the onset of heart disease, diabetes or myriad other weight-related issues. Ask your doctor for advice on healthy meal planning as well as how best to get started on exercising. Start off slow with a walk around the neighborhood and work your way up to more strenuous activity. Don’t forget that yardwork and gardening are also great ways to be active!
5. Don’t stress the “small stuff.” As we age, it takes us longer to complete tasks than it used to, but that is no reason to stress. It’s a proven fact that as we age we have slower response times and it may take us longer to make decisions; it doesn’t necessarily mean we have slower mental processes, it may simply mean we are taking longer to make a conscious choice. Trust your instincts.

Being physically fit and staying mentally active are worthy goals for anyone of any age, but these become even more important as we age. What steps are you taking toward better mental and physical health?