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Check Out Featured
Stories In This Issue
How To "Age In Place" Comfortable And Safe
--Divya Vijayanandakumar,
Harrell Design + Build
Practical tips on how to live safely and independently in your home as you age.
Safeguarding Your Mother With Cognitive
Decline From Being Scammed At The Bank
Solutions to help your mother with cognitive difficulties from losing
her money at the bank due to fraud and exploiters.
Ask Larry: "Tips For Better Sleep?"
There are no "sliver bullets" but here's what helps me get a good
night sleep most of the time.
Fitness Guide:
"The Strength Training Bible For Seniors"
Strength training—whether in your core, arms, legs or back—is an essential component of a fitness routine regardless of your age.
Turning 90. "Counting My Blessings Every Day"
--Joyce Hanna
I feel "good" at 90! I'm healthy, strong and fit. Thanking my good genes and daily exercise program including strength training.
Visiting America's Historic Triangle
--Melody Wren, Travel Writer
No better way to learn about America's history than visiting Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown in Virginia.
If You Have a Trust, Do You Need a Power
Of Attorney?
--Evelyn Preston, Money Lady
Even if you have a Trust, you might need a Power Of Attorney to manage your affairs when you can't.
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Get Up And Go!
Trek on nature trails, learn about different cultures, explore historic sites, experience new culinary flavors, connect to people with shared interests and stay healthy with Bay Area Older Adults.
Be Kind To Each Other
Let me know what kind of stories you like to read in the Scoop, the leading monthly, online publication for boomers and seniors in the San Francisco Bay Area. Feel free to share with your family, friends and colleagues. It's FREE reaching over 100,000 readers.
For more stories and news about boomers and seniors, visit ActiveOver50.com.
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Aging In Place
“How Thoughtful Home Remodeling Can Help You Stay Comfortable And Safe”
By Divya Vijayanandakumar, designer
Harrell Design + Build
More and more, clients ask me how they can plan to live safely and independently in their homes as they age. From preventing falls to maintaining independence, seniors want practical solutions that address their concerns, while preserving the comfort and beauty of their home and preventing the need to move out in the future.
The concept of "aging in place" focuses on adapting one’s home to be safer as they get older, ensuring it meets their needs both now and in the future.
As a designer at Harrell Design + Build with a UDCP
(Universal Design Certified Professional) certification, I work
with homeowners to find the best solutions to remodel their home to promote safety, accessibility and comfort. Some of the most common questions I hear from seniors include:
• How can I remain independent in my home as I age?
• How can I make my home safer to prevent falls?
• How can I make my home safer and not make it look institutional?
READ MORE
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Cognitive Decline
How To Help Your Mother With Cognitive Problems From Being Scammed At The Bank
By Larry Hayes, A050 Publisher
You can't physically stop someone you love from writing large checks or withdrawing large sums of money from banks but there are safeguards to help prevent fraud and exploiters.
Set Up Alerts With Her Bank
Most banks offer customizable account alerts. You can set up a threshold for check and withdrawal amounts (e.g., $500, $1,000). If your mother writes a check or withdraws larger than this amount, the bank will send an email or SMS notification to family members.
Joint Alerts
Some banks allow secondary users to receive alerts for large transactions on accounts.
Use a Financial Monitoring Service
There are services specifically designed to monitor the accounts of elderly individuals or those experiencing memory issues, helping families oversee finances including EverSafe and TrueLink.
Durable Power of Attorney: Your mother could grant you or a designated family member a durable power of attorney. This would allow you to monitor financial transactions and intervene when necessary.
Limited Power of Attorney: If not comfortable giving full control, your mother can create a POA that only authorizes oversight or intervention in large transactions.
For more ways to protect people with memory problems,
CLICK HERE
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Ask Marilyn
"Is a Reverse Mortgage Right
For You?"
With over 15 years experience right here in Silicon Valley, I can help answer your questions about reverse mortgages.
Q: Will the bank own my home?
The bank does not take ownership of your home; they simply extend a loan to you. You continue to own and live in your home and are responsible for payment of property taxes, required insurance and if applicable, HOA fees.
Q: Do my children/family members lose their inheritance?
No, a borrower may designate an heir of their choosing.The heir(s) will inherit the home after the last surviving borrower passes away and may then choose to keep (by paying off the amount of reverse mortgage balance) or sell the home. Should they choose to sell, any remaining equity after paying off the loan (minus interest and fees) would be theirs.
Q: What is the lending limit of the HECM reverse mortgage?
As of January 1, 2023, it increased to $1,089,300. Which means
it's very likely you can qualify for more money.
To learn more about reverse mortgages, call me today 408.722.0010. Email: gmross2404@comcast.net.
Marilyn Brown Ross reverse mortgage professional
NMLS #453436/1221981
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Turning 90
"Counting My Blessings Every Single Day"
By Joyce Hanna
Here are some of my thoughts about turning 90.
First, I feel “good” at 90!
I’m healthy and strong and fit. I can’t take too much credit for that as I think I have good genes and I like to exercise.
I am especially grateful for these five things:
1) The love and relationship I had with my second husband.
2) The love and relationship I have with my two daughters.
3) The friendships I have with other women.
4) My health, strength and fitness.
5) My mind which is still pretty much functioning as usual.
READ MORE
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Family Triangle
Visiting America’s Historic Triangle of Williamsburg, Jamestown And Yorktown In Virginia
By Melody Wren, Travel Writer
For first-time visitors to the United States, Virginia is an ideal starting point to get an overview of American history.
Recently I took my 10 year old granddaughter as she has never been to the United States. The trip was a blend of history, coastal culture, a visit to an enormous amusement park and outdoor adventures.
Along with my adult daughter, we started out with a thoroughly entertaining breakfast with singing Chef Greg at Kingsmill Resort before heading out to visit nearby Colonial Williamsburg on our first morning.
Naturally we started with a carriage ride, where much of the old town functions just as it did in the 18th century. The baby-blue carriage was pulled by large horses named General and Brigadier who were coaxed through the character-filled village by driver, Nathan.
The wonderful ride immediately took us back in time far removed from busy modern streets. Costumed interpreters strolled through the village adding layers to the ambience. It’s a prime movie set for Hallmark movies, and granddaughter Charlotte added that it gave her “Gilmour Girl vibes.”
READ MORE
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Discover Chateau-Cupertino
Senior Independent Living Community With a Flair
Senior living doesn't get any better than living at
Chateau-Cupertino whether you're in retirement or just ready for the next great phase of your life. Enjoy a home-life environment in your own senior apartment with three fresh served home-style meals daily.
Housekeeping and laundry services, all basic utilities, great activity programs, game rooms and transportation--all included starting at $3,400 per month.
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Cupertino is one of the best places to live in the San Francisco Bay Area--home to world famous Apple.
Come and see for yourself. Chateau-Cupertino.
Call 408.446.4300. Or email: MarieLouise@chateau-cupertino.com.
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ASK LARRY
By Larry Hayes, A050 Publisher
“Any Tips For Better Sleep? I’ve Tried Everything”
Like you and millions of other older adults, I, too,
have tried everything to get a better night sleep.
I have discovered no “silver” bullet but here’s what
helps me most of the time:
• Take a cold shower before bed. From warm to cool
to cold. 10-15 minutes. Cools and relaxes my body and mind.
• Eat dinner at 5pm. Nothing after 6pm. Not even a snack.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol after 2pm. (I rarely drink
so avoiding alcohol, including wine, is not a problem).
• Take daily a 30-minute walk. Ideally, after dinner.
• Listen to music--mostly country for me but any kind will do.
• Turn off the computer/iPhone by 6pm.
• Meditate (breathing) helps me to relax but admittedly,
I don't practice enough.
Let me know what works for you.
"When Is The Next ActiveOver50 Resource Fair? That Was a Fantastic Event!"
Thanks for the kind words. Lots of kudos. Our Resource Fair in Campbell was a huge success thanks to our 30 exhibitors and large turnout (300+). Although a lot of work and expense, we're hoping to do another event next year so, stay tuned!
Got a question or comment? Ask me anything. If I don't know
the answer, I'll find someone who does. Ask Larry is written by Larry Hayes, A050 publisher. Email: Larry@activeover50.com. Visit: ActiveOver50.com.
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New Book To Stay Fit
"The Strength Training Bible
For Seniors"
By Karl Knopf
"The intent of this book is to assist you to train well and train smart, not hard. It does not have hard-and-fast rules. The only rule is to learn to listen to your body and heed what it says."
Stay strong. Stay active. Stay healthy. “It’s never too late to lift weights: Older bodies can still build muscle” (Washington Post). The Strength Training Bible for Seniors is the only book you need to be fit and feel young in your 50s and beyond.
Science shows us that an active lifestyle helps us flourish and is one of the keys to a long life. Strength training—whether in your core, arms, legs, or back—is an essential component of a fitness routine regardless of your age.
The Strength Training Bible for Seniors covers all your workout needs: stretching, core strength, weight and resistance training, and kettlebell workouts to help you build muscle, tone your body, be flexible and be your best.
Order HERE
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"I Have a Trust. Why Would I Need a Power Of Attorney?"
By Evelyn Preston, Money Lady
My August column chronicled the sad sagas of two seniors who suffered setbacks of illness and dementia. When their financial advisor proposed new end-of-life strategies, his broker-dealer disallowed any changes to the women’s existing plans.
The reason?
New fiduciary rules. Trust Attorney Linda Silveria notes that financial entities are becoming stricter and tighter in following these rules—no loosening or changes that might work against the firm allowed—even when it might be better for clients.
Q: What would have allowed the financial advisor to develop an effective late life financial plan that would be approved?
According to Palo Alto Estate Attorney, Michael Gilfix, the solution for everyone is having named a trusted and capable Power of Attorney (POA) to act in your best interests and manage financial affairs when you can’t.
This allows the agent you legally name (spouse, child, caregiver, etc.) to access money, manage Medicare/Social Security benefits and pay your bills.
READ MORE
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To Add A Little Humor To Your Day, Check Out John Donaghue's Latest Comics.
Go To: undercardiacarrest.com
Under Cardiac Arrest is a comic series starring a quirky couple loosely based on John Donaghue's parents. Besides thousands of followers online, UCA has been translated into greeting cards, shirts, mugs and a book.
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