Just received this in my email and thought I would share it on the blog for anyone who is looking for information and a local resource for Parkinson's disease.  My grandfather had Parkinson's - and that was one of the only things I remember about him as he passed away (not from Parkinson's) in 1975. 

Thank you to Diane B. Breslow, MSW, LCSW, Center Coordinator/Clinic Social Worker for passing along the newsletter to me.

Update**** I could not get the PDF to attach so if you would like a copy I can email it to you!  Just make a comment below (any comment will do) and I will have your email address to send it to!  I am going to try one more time though***

Recently the The Society of Certified Senior Advisors published a new about the new health care reform bill and its affect on our seniors.

This guide was created in order to answer some of the most often-asked questions about the new health care reform bill, titled the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which was signed into law last t year. Each year the bill is slated to roll out new provisions that affect individuals, businesses, insurance companies, health care providers, and the government.

While it is possible that the bill will be modified over the years, whether by lawmakers or by the courts, it is important to understand the approaching provisions and what they mean now. The topics covered within include:

• How will my Medicare benefits change?
• What happens to my Medicare Part D coverage?
• How are my income taxes affected?
• What new assistance is available for long-term care?
• How are seniors protected against abuse under health care reform?
• Is there a timeline for when all of these take effect?
• Where can I go for more information?

To get your free copy of the guide please visit www.csa.us/SeniorsHealthCareReform

Recently I have been at work on a comprehensive guide to choosing assisted living with another senior living advisor, Jackie Wargo in Scottsdale Arizona.  It has been a lot of work and we still have a lot more to get done but in the meantime we are offering a free download of part 1 which is called:  "3 Biggest mistakes adults make when choosing assisted living for their parent or a loved one"

If you would like a copy for yourself just fill out the form below.  I am going to try to also put this form on the side of the blog so it is always available!

If for some reason the form is not showing up in this actual post please look to the side of the blog or send me a message or a comment and I will personally send you the link!

Earlier this week I was sent this email and I thought it was important to get this information out to as many people as possible.Below are web-sites that provide information on Veterans benefits and how to file/ask for them. Accordingly, there are many sites that explain how to obtain books, military/medical records, information and how to appeal a denied claim with the VA. Please pass this information on to every Veteran you know. Nearly 100% of this information is free and available for all veterans, the only catch is: you have to ask for it, because they won't tell you about a specific benefit unless you ask for it. You need to know what questions to ask so the right doors open for you and then be ready to have an advocate who is willing to work with and for you, stay in the process, and press for your rights and your best interests.AppealsBoard of Veteran's AppealsCARES CommissionCARES Draft National PlanCenter for Minority VeteransCenter for Veterans EnterpriseCenter for Women VeteransClarification on the changes in VA healthcare for Gulf War VeteransClassified Records - American Gulf War Veterans AssocCompensation for Disabilities Associated with the Gulf War ServiceCompensation Rate Tables, 12-1-03Department of Veterans Affairs Home PageDirectory of Veterans Service OrganizationsDisability Examination Worksheets IndexDue ProcessDuty to AssistElectronic Code of Federal RegulationsEmergency, Non-emergency, and Fee Basis CareEnvironmental AgentsEnvironmental Agents M10Establishing Combat Veteran EligibilityEVALUATION PROTOCOL FOR GULF WAR AND IRAQI FREEDOM VETERANS WITH POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO DEPLETED URANIUM (DU) - link 1 and link 2See also, Depleted Uranium Fact SheetEVALUATION PROTOCOL FOR NON-GULF WAR VETERANS WITH POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO DEPLETED URANIUM (DU) - linkFee Basis, PRIORITY FOR OUTPATIENT MEDICAL SERVICES AND INPATIENT HOSPITAL CARE - link 1 , link 2 and link 3Forms and Records RequestGeneral Compensation ProvisionsGeriatrics and Extended CareGuideline for Chronic Pain and Fatigue MUS-CPGGuide to Gulf War Veteran's HealthGulf War Subject IndexGulf War Veteran's Illnesses Q&AsHearingsHomeless VeteransHSR&D HomeIndex to Disability Examination Worksheets C&P examsIonizing RadiationIraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom Veterans VBAM 10 for spouses and childrenM10 Part III Change 1M21-1 Table of ContentsMental Disorders, Schedule of RatingsMental Health Program GuidelinesMental Illness Research, Education and Clinical CentersMS (Multiple Sclerosis) Centers of ExcellenceMy Health e VetNASDVA.COMNational Association of State DirectorsNational Center for Health Promotion and Disease PreventionNeurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders, Schedule of Ratings - link 1 and link 2OMI (Office of Medical Inspector) Online VA Form 10-10EZParkinson's Disease and Related Neurodegenerative Disorders - link 1 and link 2Peacetime Disability Compensation Pension for Non-Service-Connected Disability or Death - link 1 and link 2Persian Gulf Registry This program is now referred to as Gulf War Registry Program (to include Operation Iraqi Freedom) as of March 7, 2005Persian Gulf Registry Referral CentersPersian Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Research 1999, Annual Report To CongressPersian Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Research Persian Gulf Veterans' Illnessesh 2002, Annual Report To CongressPhase I PGRPhase II PGRPolicy Manual IndexPower of Attorney Project 112 (Including Project SHAD)Prosthetics EligibilityPublic Health and Environmental Hazards Home PagePublic Health/SARS Publications ManualsPublications and ReportsRecords Center and Vault HomepageRecords Center and Vault Site MapREQUEST FOR AND CONSENT TO RELEASE OF INFORMATION FROM CLAIMANT'S RECORDSResearch Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses April 11, 2002Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans IllnessesResearch and DevelopmentSurvivor's and Dependents' Educational AssistanceTitle 38 Index Parts 0-17Part 18Title 38 Part 3 Adjudication Subpart A "Pension, Compensation, and Dependency and Indemnity CompensationTitle 38 Pensions, Bonuses & Veterans Relief (also  § 3.317 Compensation for certain disabilities due to undiagnosed illnesses found here)Title 38 PART 4--SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES Subpart B--DISABILITY RATINGSTitle 38§ 4.16 Total disability ratings for compensation based on unemployability of the individual. PART A "SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES Subpart à "General Policy in RatingU.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans ClaimsVA Best Practice Manual for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)VA Fact SheetVA Health Care EligibilityVA INSTITUTING GLOBAL ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTION (GAF)VA Life Insurance Handbook Â" Chapter 3VA Loan Lending Limits and Jumbo LoansVA MS ResearchVA National Hepatitis C ProgramVA Office of Research and DevelopmentVA Trainee Pocket Card on Gulf WarVA WMD EMSHGVA WRIISC-DCVAOIG Hotline Telephone Number and AddressVet Center Eligibility - Readjustment Counseling ServiceVeterans Benefits Administration Main Web PageVeterans Legal and Benefits InformationVHA Forms, Publications, ManualsVHA Public Health Strategic Health Care Group Home Page VHI Guide to Gulf War Veterans  (tm) HealthVocational RehabilitationVocational Rehabilitation SubsistenceVONAPP online WARMS - 38 CFR Book CWartime Disability CompensationWar-Related Illness and Injury Study Center - New JerseyWelcome to the GI Bill Web SiteWhat VA Social Workers DoWRIISC Patient Eligibility

Searching for assisted living is one of those things many people do not plan for.  And usually they have to make the decision with little time to research.  They may also have feelings of guilt and stress.

However if you have done this before you know you are not alone.  But some of us have just started the search and need to know what worked for you and what your experience was like, good or bad.  If you have a story that you would like to share, please contact me I would love to post it on the blog for others to learn from!

The Hallmark of Chicago hosting a CEU presentation for nurses, social workers and other health care professionals.

Please join them as their presenters, Kerry R. Peck, Managing Partner of Peck Bloom, LLC and Lori Lomahan, LCSW, MA CEO of Lifecare Innovations revisit well-known cases, such as Terri Schiavo, from a legal and clinical perspective to analyze the ethical dilemmas health care workers encounter when dealing with an end-of-life patient.

4:00-4:45 - Networking and Appetizers

5:00-7:00 - CE Presentation

April 20, 2001

The Hallmark of Chicago

2960 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago 60657

Free Parking available

RSVP to Colleen McGuire at cmcguire1@brookdaleliving.com or call her at 773-404-7898

This is a Free CEU/CNE credit 1.75 CNE for nurses and 2 CEU for social workers.  Rush University College of Nursing is providing the CEU/CNEs

April 15th is almost here and I can't believe I forgot to write about this! Every year this is a popular post so I want to make sure I keep you abreast of any tax tips that seniors and caregivers can use and think about before they file their taxes!Since I am not an accountant not a CPA and actually pay one to do my taxes, please do not consider this legal advice. However I searched the web and read quite a few articles on the subject and found some great resources that I am sharing below. If anyone else has any to add please send me a message or comment below.Medical Expenses - many elderly, especially those on fixed incomes may be able to deduct medical expenses on their taxes because the allowable expenses often exceed the 7.5% of adjusted gross income that is required. In addition to the obvious expenses, medical equipment and insurance premiums including long term care insurance may be able to be deducted. You can find allowable deductions on the IRS website for publication 502Is assisted living Tax Deductible? - in some cases an assisted living will often report the "medical" as opposed to room & board expenses at the end of the year. Contact the executive director of the community to find out more.Is In Home Care Tax Deductible? - very tricky. If home care aid is providing medical services such as administering medication, help with bathing etc, the cost is probably tax deductible, see the above publication. But it gets tricky if you are paying a caregiver directly as opposed to a licensed agency. If the caregiver is your employee - in regards to taxes you need to make sure you withholding their taxes and matching their contributions.Tax Deductions & Credits - those 65 and older may qualify for a special credit as long as their incomes don’t exceed certain thresholds, which vary by filing status. Be sure to consult the I.R.S. Web site for form 524.Taxable Social Security - to find out more consult this worksheet A Quick Way To Check if Your Benefits May Be Taxable on the IRS website. This usually applies to seniors that have a lot of additional income in addition to their social security.Please Help Me! - The AARP has set up Tax-Aide which offers free assistance for federal and state returns. There is a great article about Tax-Aide on the AARP website and you can also find links to local volunteers.

Do you have a client, neighbor or friend who is caring for a loved one with memory loss? Or just someone who is just interested in learning more, please pass along the following. This is a free event. 

Aging Grace, Mallinckrodt/Meskill Center & The Mather invite you to join us for a conversation with Joanne Walsh Malleta, Director of Memory Support at Mather Pavilion in Evanston,  to discuss

"The Many Faces of Memory Loss: Navigating the Journey"

- Risks and Definition

- Communication

- Resources

- Creating moments of joy

Wednesday, April 27

10 - 11 AM

Mallinckrodt/Meskill Center

1041 Ridge Road

Wilmette il

(entrance is on the south side of the building)

Joanne Walsh Malleta is a licensed social worker and the Director of Memory Support at Mather Pavilion in Evanston.  Mather Pavilion, ranked one of the best nursing care communities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, provides care for older adults who require skilled nursing care, memory support, and rehabilitation services.   

Aging Grace offers personal assistance to a wide range of seniors, from the most active to those with greater need for many of the non-medical activities that make independent living comfortable. Whether we are overseeing bill pay,  home maintenance and upkeep, scheduling appointments for recreation, or providing genteel companionship to complete other personal projects, we relieve senior's and their families of many non-medical activities to make independent living more comfortable. Our services leave time for seniors and their families to do the things that really matter.

Mallinckrodt/Meskill Center is an active adult program for the Wilmette Park District

Concord Place in Northlake is hosting TWO presentations on the VA Pension with Aid and Attendance this Wednesday - June 8th at both 2:30 & 6:30 pm.Find out if you or a loved one is eligible. Veterans can receive up to $23,388 per year and surviving spouses of veterans can receive up to $12,862 per year. This benefit is a tax free payment made directly to the applicant. Do not miss this presentation!Refreshments will be served..RSVP to 708-562-9000The address is 401 W. Lake St, Northlake IL 60164

All caregivers are welcome to join this support group for those coping with the age-related changes they are seeing in a loved one. Share stories, learn about current caregiving topics, and connect with others in a safe and positive group setting.Date/time: This group meets every other Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Summer dates are June 15 and 29, July 13 and 27, and August 10 and 24.Cost: There is no costClass size: 2 min/20 maxFacilitators: Margaret Hannon and Judi JacobsonLocation: The Living Room of The British Home, 8700 West 31st Street in Brookfield. Please park in the northwest parking lot.Register by: Register at any time by clicking here

Please check out these tips for staying cool in Chicago for the next few days and don't forget to call 311 for a wellness check if there is a senior in your building or neighborhood that you are worried about!The National Weather Service in Chicago expects the hot and humid temperatures to remain in Chicago until Sunday. During this time, high temperatures are expected to remain in the 80s and 90s, including at night. Heat Indices of around 105 degrees are possible each day through Sunday, and an Excessive Heat Warning will be in effect from Wednesday morning through early Friday morning. The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) wants to remind everyone to be aware of extreme temperatures and to take the necessary precautions to avoid heat-related emergencies.Everyone is reminded to take the following steps to minimize the impact of hot weather:* Drink plenty of water, at least eight glasses a day.* Avoid going out in the heat during the hottest part of the day.* Prepare for hot weather, especially if participating in or attending outdoor activities.* Public buildings such as Libraries, Park District facilities and Chicago police district headquarters can be used as temporary cooling centers. Call 3-1-1 to receive the address of the nearest temporary cooling center.* Check on the well being of neighbors and relatives who may be susceptible to hot weather conditions. Call 3-1-1 to request a well being check or a ride to a cooling center.* Open fire hydrants are a public safety issue because it drops water pressure in the area and prevents firefighters from being able to use them to fight a fire. The water stream from an open hydrant also creates a potentially hazardous situation for small children, especially when cars are present.* Com Ed has additional crews on stand by to quickly respond to power outages. Customers should call 1-800-EDISON-1 to report outages immediately.The City will continue to work closely with the National Weather Service to monitor local conditions. The City's Emergency Operations Center has not been activated at this point, but we are ready to do so if necessary. For more information, or to sign up for extreme weather alerts, please visit www.AlertChicago.com or view the OEMC's Facebook Page.

When it's time to discuss assisted living, no one wants to do it. There are risks of hurt feelings, offending your parents, or even suggestions that you 'don't care' about them or don't want to take care of them yourself. Fortunately, the right way to approach the situation will help you avoid all of these issues. In order to get the right outcome and send the right message, here are some things to keep in mind.-Don't gang up on the person. While it might seem effective to have the whole family present, when your loved one sees all of you against them, it might feel like they are being ganged up on and attacked. Approach them individually, or start a discussion that doesn't come off like an attack.-Be honest. The worst thing that you can do is sugarcoat the situation or not be open about your concerns. Let them know that you DO care and that you want to make sure that they are protected.-Give them power. Too often, these discussions go bad because the child creates an impression that the parent has no say in the matter. Discuss your concerns and make sure that you give them the opportunity to understand and choose what they feel is best.-Create a pro/con list. Putting it on paper can often help your parents realize that they really would be better off in assisted living.-Don't rush and don't push. Have a nice, relaxing discussion and don't make your parents feel pressured. You might make the wrong decision if you are too hurried to find the best possible solution.It's not about taking the hassle off of your hands. It's about making sure that your parents are where they need to be at this stage in life. The bottom line is to have a discussion, be open, and listen to each other instead of attacking them or telling them they 'need' assisted living.

Top 5 tips on talking to your parents about assisted living

Every family is different and everyone is going to have their way of approaching uncomfortable conversations. Here a 5 things to remember when having this discussion.1. Do not wait for a crisis to occur to have the talk. By then it may be too late2. Do not try to tackle everything at once. Do it over multiple conversations3. Get the support of other family members or a professional if necessary4. Ask open ended questions5. Be factual. Do your research before you have the conversation.Today's blog post contributed by Mary Albert, a blogger for a senior lifestyle and senior health web site that provides advice for the 55+ age group as well as medical alert systems.

Recently I received a note about term life insurance for seniors.  It is not a subject I know anything about, so I thought I would just share the readers note and the link to her article about it if you are looking for information on the subject.

Dear Lisa:

My name is Kathleen Firtle and I also enjoy developing content relevant to retirees. I particularly enjoy how your blog can aid seniors in the Chicago area! I really like how you can combine issues like financial planning, assisted living and local events to provide such a wonderful resource to seniors!

I see that you've written about seniors and taxes; however, did you know that term life insurance can help your loved ones pay estate taxes? It can be a great retirement tool!

I have recently written an article that may be of particular interest to your base of readers. It has been published on an informational life insurance site and advises retirees on things like: when they can still be approved for life insurance, the rates they should expect to pay, why they might want to purchase a life insurance policy and scams they should be wary of. It is very informative and compliments a lot of the content found on your site.

The article can be found here:  https://www.lifeinsurancematters.org/articles/term-life-insurance-for-seniors/

Guest post by a reader, Sherri Cash who wanted to share HER story about searching for a community for her parents.  Thank you so much Sherri for telling us your story!

----

I had been listening to the concerns voiced by my parents for a few weeks before we engaged in a conversation to make a move into an assisted living community. My father is diabetic, and on a sliding scale medication which we all have difficulty keeping track of; at first we entertained the idea of brings in a nurse to monitor his dosage. My mother’s mobility has decreased as of late, and the expansive distances she traveled to get to social events and appointments was starting to wear on her.

However, our final decision coupled with a dissatisfaction my parents had with their changing East Boston neighborhood (streets bad to drive on, friends moving and neighbors they could not relate to.) Rent was ever increasing, traffic was getting worse, and my parents were just ready to be in a community environment that would soften the stress that their life had been sustaining.

My parents are quite independent and refused to budge on many issues. One of the biggest ones was deciding what to do with their automobile situation. My father, who refuses to budge on giving up the Cadillac he inherited from his father, did not think we could find a community that would allow him to bring his car. Luckily, with proper research, I was able to prove that his personal stigma of assisted living was not up-to-date with the wonderful facilities available now.

The list of stipulations given to me by my family was surprisingly easy to deal with- a kitchenette (my father cannot live without some recipes my mother has to perfection,) four private walls, and obviously car-friendly.

My mother was ecstatic to get rid of her automobile in preparation for paring down to Pop’s Caddy, the cost of maintenance, gas, and insurance on the vehicle she was no longer comfortable driving. We invested in an electric wheelchair for her to get around outside easily (visit her neighbors, get to the community center, etc,) which when combined with savings on such things as in-home nurses, former car costs, and bills made their move much more cost efficient than living on their own.

We located and moved my Mom and Dad into a wonderful assisted living facility in New England, which houses free-standing townhomes for their resident’s comfort (quaint kitchen provided coupled with meals in the community.) It is a joy to see the dignity my parents maintain in holding on to their independence, while being in a fulfilling community of their peers and have professionals nearby for specialized healthcare. 

I write this to emphasize the importance of listening and working with the elder members of your family when you consider assisted living.

My parents are proud of their independence, and broaching a subject like this made me feel like I was disrespectful of their freedom. Luckily, with an active ear and commitment to researching all possibilities and with the amazing amenities offered in modern assisted communities, we were able to fine tune and happily move somewhere where my folks are happy and I feel safe with them being there. 

Another great article found on Long-Term Living Magazine about the correlation between hearing loss & increaed risk of falling.   This is good information to have as Caregivers.  Please keep an eye on the ears of your loved ones!  

Hearing loss linked to 3-fold increased risk of falling

February 28, 2012 by Kevin Kolus

Hearing loss has been linked with a variety of medical, social and cognitive ills. According to a new study by a Johns Hopkins researcher, serious physical health problems may also be added to that list—specifically, hearing loss can be a risk factor of falls.

To continue reading the entire article click HERE

As always, Senior Living Experts is here to help you in the process of searching for a Continuing Care Retirement Community. Please contact us at 773-938-3772 or info@seniorlivingexperts.com if you would like assistance! In the meantime, here are some personal stories from an article in the Chicago Tribune that shows you what others have done.

Like a lot of people, Bob and Judie Knott took care of their mothers in their later years. Though both of their mothers lived in assisted care facilities, the Knotts spent a fair amount of time taking them to doctor's appointments and making sure that everything was done right. They were happy to help. But when it came time for the couple to pick a retirement spot for themselves, they settled on a place that would be able to provide complete care.

To continue reading the entire article click HERE

Personally, the connection to a hospital stay & a cognitive decline makes sense, at least from a psycological standpoint. This report by CNN not only shows the toll a trip to the hospital can take on Seniors, but it shows, indirectly, the important role of the Caregiver.

 March 21st, 2012Post by: Caitlin Hagan - CNN Medical ProducerPeople 65 years of age and older experience cognitive decline an average of 2.4 times faster if they have been hospitalized, compared to people of the same age who haven't, according to a new study. To continue reading the entire article click HERE

I thought it was time for a fun post!  Now go ahead, SPLURGE!  Everyone can agree one of the best things in life to splurge when you can. Here's a list from the AARP of 13 reasonable splurges.Do you find anything you'd love in it?  What are your lifes little splurges?

‍

Indulge in some of life's well-earned treats

by: Jacquelyn Mitchard | from: AARP Bulletin | November 4, 2011One of the kids asks, "What's the good thing about growing up?"There is one.It's a mixed blessing for sure, but the best part may be that you really have earned some of life's treats. You really are worth it, and you really do deserve it. For us, it's more than a marketing tool, it is truth, an axiom for the good life...

To continue reading the entire article click HERE

Looking for ways to get out of winter hibernation? Tennis is a great way to get the blood flowing! Does anyone have a favorite court in the Chicagoland area they'd like to share?

If you want an idea of how good tennis can be for your health, just take a look at some of the participants of senior tennis tournaments . If what you see on the courts during these events--chasing balls and swinging rackets like silver-haired athletic gods--isn't enough to convince you that playing tennis just might be the secret to ultimate longevity, then you're not paying attention. Either that, or you're at the wrong tennis tourney.

To continue reading the entire article click HERE

I know...we talked tennis yesterday & now arthritis!  I promise I'm not trying to scare anyone away from tennis, but I saw this and thought it would be good to share this comparision, between arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.  I had no idea that rheumatoid affected your joints symmetrically.A big thanks to CSN 50 and Better for sharing this comparison!

Identifying Rheumatoid Arthritis

Although rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can occur in people of all ages, its effects on the elderly can be especially debilitating. Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis can be done by studying the symptoms, but another more conclusive method includes blood work that looks for signs of inflammation throughout the body, not just externally. X-rays, ultrasounds, and MRIs can also be used as tools to help doctors in diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis.

To continue reading the entire article click HERE