Senior - Friendly Tips
Know the warning signs that an older person may be at risk.
It can be difficult to know when an older person’s health and safety are at risk. Signs of decline in mental or physical capabilities can be subtle. While family members are most often the ones to notice problems, others who see the individual regularly also can be key observers of critical changes.
Sharon Congleton, RN, BSN, health promotion nurse supervisor at Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, offers these warning signs that an older person might be at risk. In that case, a prompt evaluation by a doctor is the first step to assess the situation, she says.
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Wandering away from home or other places, often not knowing where he/she is or how he/she got there
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Difficulties and problems with short-term memory
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Confusion – difficulty understanding and/or being understood
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Deterioration in physical appearance and/or personal hygiene
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A home in disarray, for instance, an accumulation of dirty laundry, dirty dishes, or garbage
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Bills and mail piling up unread
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Neglecting to take medications
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Not doing the things the individual typically enjoys
The PCA Helpline, 215-765-9040, can provide information and referral for assessment, care services and caregiver support. The PCA website, pcaCares.org, also can provide connections to resources for assisting seniors and their family members.
Tip:
Many seniors are concerned about the rising costs of food. You can stretch your food dollars through careful budgeting, food selection and low-cost recipes.
Before you shop, go through your pantry and refrigerator to avoid over-buying. Always make a shopping list, and buy only what’s on your list. Take advantage of the savings from supermarket discount cards, manufacturer’s coupons, weekly sales and in-store specials. Choose store brand products, which usually cost less. Purchase fresh food only in quantities that you can eat before spoiling. Buy frozen or shelf-stable items in bulk for cost savings.
Best Buys for Cost and Nutrition:
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Regular rice, oatmeal and grits will save money, calories and sugar over instant varieties.
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A whole head of lettuce is less expensive and lasts longer than pre-bagged salad.
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Fresh fruit in season is freshest and costs less.
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Ultra-pasteurized milk has a longer expiration date, so you can avoid spoilage.
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Chuck or bottom round roast has less fat and is cheaper than sirloin.
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Buy meat in bulk packages when on sale and divide into smaller portions for freezing.
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Dried beans and peas are a good source of protein and fiber. They can be substituted for meat in many recipes.
Search for tasty, low-cost and nutritious recipes in English and Spanish>>
More Senior Citizens Now Qualify for Nutrition Assistance!
If you are struggling to put food on the table, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can help. Formerly the Federal Food Stamp program, SNAP has been expanded so that more seniors now qualify. Assets will no longer be considered when applying for assistance. The amount of assistance will depend upon income, household size and expenses.
To apply for SNAP: 215-430-0556 or www.compass.state.pa.us
Anyone can be a victim of financial abuse. Seniors are often the target of these scams. The older generation is thought to be more trusting - raised to believe that a man's word is his bond. And many have built up a nice nest egg from years of saving and investing. But by knowing what to look out for, and what not to fall for, you can keep your money and your belongings safe from greedy hands.
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Scam artists get rich on other people's Social Security, PIN or account numbers. Keep yours private.
- Shred bills, junk mail and receipts when discarding them.
- When it comes to a "now or never" opportunity, choose "never."
- Some scams promise to help you get back money you've lost in another scam. Watch out.
- Seek outside advice. Scam artists hope you'll hand over money without seeking a trusted person's opinion. Tell them no.
- Scams can be hidden between the lines of legal papers. Make sure you understand what you sign.
- Scam artists try to pressure you for money up front. Don’t give in.
- Some scam artists pretend to represent a needy charity. Make sure it is real before you contribute.
- Neighbors and even relatives are sometimes tempted to take financial advantage. Ask smart questions.
- Don't be afraid to report your experiences.
- If you feel uncomfortable, tell someone.
- Educate your friends, loved ones, peers and local community to be able to recognize and identify a scam, to protect themselves against scam artists, and to report victimization.
REMEMBER: IF AN OFFER SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE IT PROBABLY IS.
For more in information, visit http://www.stopseniorscams.org/.
The roller-coaster ride of our current stock market has many older adults concerned about their retirement and financial security.
AARP offers three strategies to help investors protect their savings.
Dividend-paying stocks - Stocks that pay dividends usually fare better in declining stock markets. You can purchase individual dividend-paying stocks or a “growth and income” stock mutual fund that typically invests in dividend-paying stocks.
TIPS - Even though inflation seems to be under control, there is concern that it may rise in the near future. One way to protect some of your money is to invest in Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS), the interest rates of which rise with inflation. It’s easy to own TIPS through a TIPS mutual fund or through an exchange-traded fund.
Re-balancing your investments - While adding to stocks may seem risky, this method has proved to be a smart move in past bear markets. If you have a target percentage of stocks that you want to maintain, your current portfolio probably has a lower percentage of stocks than your target. Adjusting back to your target percentage will involve adding a bit more to your stock holdings. This is known as “buying low,” since stocks are now much lower in price than they were earlier this year.
Being well diversified is still the best way to protect your investments over the long haul.
Advice for Homeowners
Many homeowners are concerned that home values are declining. Keep in mind that owning a home offers advantages to renting, including tax deductions, controlled housing costs, and personal security. Like any sound investment, real estate periodically declines in value. In the past, cyclical declines have turned out to be temporary interruptions to long-term increases in home costs.
Home sellers face many challenges in the current real estate market. Home prices continue to decline in many areas of the country, and the pool of potential home buyers is limited. If you don’t have to sell right away, consider waiting until the real estate market in your area begins to recover. If you must sell your home now, set a realistic price to encourage a quick sale.
During times of economic uncertainty, it is important not to make any quick decisions and to always consult a qualified financial expert for advice.
For more financial tips and information, go to: http://www.aarp.org/money
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Right to know and exercise your rights
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Right to freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation
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Right to express grievances without fear of retaliation
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Right to know about services and charges
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Right to be consulted in planning your medical treatment
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Right to confidentiality of medical records
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Right to privacy in treatment and care
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Right to freedom from restraints
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Rights pertaining to admission, transfers and discharges, including the right to appeal in certain instances
Insurance can provide a valuable service to help protect your family and your assets. As older Pennsylvanians reach retirement age, their insurance or investment needs may change. It is important to get all the facts before making a major policy change or signing a contract. Older adults, who have built up a 'nest egg' and maintained good credit, can be the target of insurance scams and misleading sales tactics. Not all insurance products are appropriate for all consumers. Look for a policy that will fit your financial needs and goals for years to come. Before making any decisions, carefully research your options.
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department offers these tips when buying any insurance policy:
*The insurance agent (also 'producer' or 'broker') and company should be properly licensed to sell the kind of insurance you are buying.
- Be wary of anything that seems too good to be true. Remember, insurance agents are sales people. They may not be experts in senior issues or tax laws. If you need advice, consult a tax accountant, attorney or knowledgeable family member.
- Always be suspicious of unsolicited telephone calls and offers for a 'free lunch.'
*Carefully read the product/policy language and ask questions about anything that is unclear. Do not sign anything that you don't understand. Never sign an application until you are ready to buy the policy. If you feel pressured or confused, delay signing until you have time to think it over or research other options.
- Certain new insurance policies (annuities, life, long term care, medicare supplement/medigap) have a Free-Look Period. During this time, you can cancel the policy and receive a full refund of your premium. The length of time varies, depending on the type of policy.
- Long Term Care Insurance must state whether the policy is guaranteed renewable or non-cancelable, as long as the premiums are paid on time.
- When you are ready to purchase an insurance policy, make sure you agree with the terms and get everything in writing. Check to make sure the policy does not contain any incorrect language or information. If possible, have a trusted family member or friend accompany you to the signing. They may think of things that you have overlooked.
- Keep a copy of all proposals and signed documents. Pay your premium by check and obtain a receipt for your records.
For more information, call the Pennsylvania Insurance Department's toll-free consumer services hotline at 1-877-881-6388 or go on line at
www.insurance.state.pa.us.
On February 17, 2009 all full-power broadcast television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting on analog airwaves and begin broadcasting only in digital. Digital broadcasting will allow stations to offer improved picture and sound quality and additional channels. People who have a rooftop antenna or rabbit ears will be affected by the upcoming digital TV changeover. Forty percent of people in America who rely on over-the-air TV are seniors. In Philadelphia alone, 220,000 households will be affected by the change.
The most economical way to navigate the digital TV transition is to connect your analog TV set to a Digital-to-Analog converter box, which starts at $50. To help offset the cost of these boxes to consumers, the federal government is offering two $40 coupons per household. To obtain your converter box coupon, you may call 1-888-DTV-2009 or go to www.DTV2009.gov
After you have applied for your converter box coupon(s), check your mail carefully. The coupons will be sent by standard mail in a few weeks. Coupons will expire within 90 days of the date they are mailed.
Facts About Digital TV
Will I be affected by the transition?
-If you own a digital TV: NO (If unsure, consult the owner's manual. You may also check the TV for an input connection labeled "digital input" or "ATSC" - if your TV has one, it is digital.)
-If you subscribe to a paid TV service, such as cable or satellite: NO (If you discontinue this service and you have an analog TV, then you will need a converter box.)
-If you own a TV set in your home, car, boat or vacation home that uses 'rabbit ears' or a rooftop antenna: YES
What are my options?
If you have analog service, you have the following options:
-Connect the analog TV set to a Digital-to-Analog converter box (approx. one-time cost $50, before coupon)
-Buy a digital TV (approx. one-time cost $500)
-Subscribe to a paid digital TV service (approx. monthly cost $60)
Can PCA send me a coupon for the converter box?
The PCA Helpline (215-765-9040) can mail you an application for the coupon. Consumers must complete this application and mail it to the following address to receive the coupon:
TV Converter Box Coupon Program
PO Box 2000
Portland, OR 97208
Where can I purchase a converter box?
Boxes can be purchased in electronic and retail stores, such as Best Buy and Radio Shack.
A healthy diet that's rich in fresh fruits and vegetables promotes wellness at any age. Eating five to nine daily servings of fruits and vegetables will provide important vitamins, minerals and fiber that may help decrease the risk of chronic disease.
Local farmers' markets offer an array of the freshest produce available. Summer crops yield apples, tomatoes, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, grapes, pears, plums, zucchinis, cucumbers, all the greens. Come fall, there will be plenty of sweet potatoes and butternut squash in season.
"The harvest this year offers a great variety and a large quantity of items," says Lancaster-area farmer Amos Fisher, whose produce is sold at several farmers' markets in the area.
Farmers' markets offer food that was picked that same day or just the day before. It tastes wonderful and is priced at a great value. Often there are varieties of fruits and vegetables people don't find in regular supermarkets. "At many of our markets, by the time the farmer arrives to open up, there is already a long line of seniors. That tells me they really appreciate it," added Fisher.
During the summer months, more time is spent outdoors. Children play in the streets and more people take walks. Keeping the streets and sidewalks free of trash and debris makes these activities safer and more enjoyable, while preserving the beauty of your neighborhood.
If you notice trash accumulating in your neighborhood, it may be time for a cleanup. Neighbor can pitch in, based on their abilities. Older adults may have difficulty carrying heavy bags. They can separate items for recycling or donation, while children and young people pick up trash and carry heavy bags.
Before starting, make sure you have supplies to make the cleanup safe and easy - trash bags, cardboard boxes, gloves, and tools for handling trash. A handy item for older adults is a grabber for reaching items, either up high or on the ground, without straining. This tool and other supplies can be found at your local hardware store.
It is important to make sure the cleanup effort continues. When you see a piece of trash in the street, pick it up. Don't let things accumulate in your yard or front step. Put them in their proper place, or ask a neighbor to take them to the curb on trash day. For more information from the Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee (PMBC), click here>>