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The Bay Area's Resource For Active, Healthy Living After 50
Issue 121 April 2025
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Check Out Featured
Stories In This Issue
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Sometimes You Don't
Need a Lawyer
If you need to make simple changes to your revocable living trust, ChatGPT can do it.
For free. Legal, too.
Make a Difference After 50
If you have a passion for a cause, now may be the perfect time to consider starting a non-profit organization.
Alaska. A Different State Of Mind--Bill Moniz
This is a state for the adventurous for sure. Where you can be dropped off in the wilderness and have to rely on yourself.
42 Lessons Life Taught Me
To celebrate growing older, Regina Brett, 90, authored "42 Lessons" that life taught her. Words to live by.
Thinking Of Moving To a Senior Living Community?
Let Katie Cooney help you find the perfect place. She does the homework and takes you on tours. At no cost to you. Call 408.513.7838.
ASK LARRY "I'm a Vet. Do I Need Both Medicare
Advantage And VA Healthcare?"
Enrolling in VA healthcare—even if you have Medicare Advantage—can be a smart move. And save you money.
Looking For Independent Senior Living?
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. Call Marie Louise Cates 408.446.4300.
"There Goes The Neighborhood?"--Evelyn Preston
If you live in typical California suburbia, single-family lots are currently being carved up for additional living spaces. ADUs. Good or not?
Looking For Financial Freedom?
Need extra income? Your biggest gift may be the equity in your home. Call Marilyn Brown Ross to see if a reverse mortgage is right for you. 408.722.0010.
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Be Kind To One Another
ActiveOver50 is a monthly, online newsletter for active, healthy living after 50 reaching over 100,000 boomers and seniors. Share it with friends and family—it’s completely free!
For more stories and news about boomers and seniors, visit ActiveOver50.com.
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See what new assisted living and memory care communities are springing up in the South Bay.
Ellore Luxury Senior Living
2350 Calle De Luna
Santa Clara
669.201.4411
elloreseniorliving.com
The Grove at Los Gatos
400 Blossom Hill Rd
Los Gatos
408.857.6342
groveseniorliving.com
The Watermark at San Jose
1017 South Bascom Ave.
San Jose, near the Campbell pruneyard
669.321.5500
watermarkcommunities.com
Note: Contact the communities for tours and special move-in prices.
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Make a Difference After 50
Start Your Own
Non-Profit Organization
By Indu Jayakumar
Most people, when they reach 50, start thinking about giving back to the community. If you have a passion for a cause, now is the perfect time to consider starting a non-profit organization.
But should you go through the process of setting up an organization with all the commitments of tracking income and expenses? Will your idea really work? Should you test the waters first? One effective way to start is by publishing a website and studying market interest before making a full commitment.
How much will setting up a website cost?
If you need a simple content website stating your objectives with a contact form and a ‘Donate’ button, it will not cost you anything. However, if there is a large amount of content that needs to be extracted and put together, there may be a one-time setup fee of $199.
Will there be a monthly server hosting fee?
Yes, there will be a monthly fee that varies based on the services you need. Our hosting plans range from:
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$49.99/month – Basic hosting with essential features
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$99/month – Enhanced hosting with additional services
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$199/month – Full-service hosting with advanced support
Will someone meet with me to understand my project?
Absolutely! We can meet with you in person or online to discuss your project in detail. Understanding your vision is key to helping you successfully launch your non-profit. We take the time to understand your project before recommending the best hosting plan for you.
Get started today!
Starting a non-profit can be rewarding and we are here to help you take the first step. If you're ready to explore your idea, set up a website or get expert guidance, contact us today.
LocalBizNetwork, LLC
Indu Jayakumar
Cell: (408) 205-0864
Email: indu@localbiznetwork.com
| | Hand n' Hand Senior Placement | |
When It's Someone You Love
By Katie Cooney
Is someone you love struggling to live safely at home alone? Are daily tasks becoming overwhelming or do they need more care than family can provide?
When it's time to explore options for senior living, in-home care
or community resources, I’m here to help.
As a Certified Senior Advisor, I specialize in guiding families through the complex and emotional decisions surrounding senior care. Whether your loved one has had a medical event, is experiencing memory challenges or simply needs extra support,
I provide concierge-style assistance to match them with the right care and living arrangements.
From assisted living and memory care to in-home services and local resources, I take the stress out of finding trusted solutions.
My goal is to ensure safety, dignity and peace of mind for your loved one—and for you. Let me help you navigate the next step in their journey with knowledge, compassion and care.
📞 Contact me today for a free consultation. Because when it comes to senior care, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
info@handnhandsp.com | 408-513-7838 handnhandseniorplacement.com
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Sometimes You Don't Need a Lawyer For a Simple Revocable LivingTrust Amendment
By Larry W. Hayes
My wife and I recently wanted to amend our revocable living trust. All we needed was to add an "S" to our home address. A tiny change, right? Not so fast.
The last time we amended our trust—about 10 years ago—it cost $600. The original setup was $1,500. But our attorney had since retired so, we started looking for a new one. We assumed it would be simple and reasonably priced.
Wrong again!
No attorney was willing to make a small amendment. Instead, they all insisted we needed a brand-new trust with quotes ranging from $3,500 to $6,500.
That felt excessive. So, I checked out LegalZoom and Trusts & Wills. I’d used LegalZoom before for business and Trusts & Wills is endorsed by AARP.
Both were much cheaper—around $600—and both offered solid reputations. But even they wouldn't do a simple amendment. They, too, required a full redo.
I also found free amendment forms online but most turned out to be traps requiring paid subscriptions.
Frustrated, I asked ChatGPT for help. In seconds, it gave me a trust amendment form with exactly the change I needed, including a notary section. It was simple, clear and legal.
Sometimes, you don’t need a lawyer—you just need the right tool.
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Alaska. A Different
State Of Mind.
A Different Country
By Bill Moniz, travel writer
Having been to all 50 states, I have to say Alaska is one of my favorites. It is such a vast area, the wide-open spaces are awe inspiring as is the beauty of its glaciers, fjords, and mountains.
This is a state for the adventurous for sure, where you can be dropped off in the wilderness and have to rely on yourself to get to
the assigned pickup point on time and in one piece or raft wild rivers, land in a plane on a glacier and hike around ski glaciers or mountains, travel to the numbing ice waters of the Bering Sea or the Arctic.
Of course, you don’t have to do all or any of these things, there are other adventures, such as we had, that can be yours as well.
READ MORE
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ADU. Good Or Not So Good?
There Goes The Neighborhood?
By Evelyn Preston, Money Lady
Change! Some people love it; others not so much. It’s time to clearly understand the recent radical change in the California real estate/housing universe that’s already well underway.
Q: What about new rules for R-1 zoning sites?
If you live in typical California suburbia, single-family lots are currently being carved up for additional living spaces. The law allows it! Reactions to these extreme changes range from cheering acceptance to the still strong NIMBY cities trying to preserve their uncrowded neighborhoods. These residents cite the loss of privacy and a drain on local resources by allowing ADUs (additional dwelling units) on each property.
Q: Are you talking about the “Builders Remedy?”
Partially. We’re aware that California now allows large developers to flout long established local control, building massive housing and office towers unless cities meet expanded State standards.
While there’s strong push back against these overwhelming developments, to date large apartment and business complexes already supplant former low-rise areas everywhere.
READ MORE
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Your Reverse Mortgage Questions Answered by
a Local Expert With 15+ Years' Experience
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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"I'm a Vet. Do I Need Both Medicare Advantage And VA Healthcare?"
Enrolling in VA healthcare—even if you have Medicare Advantage—can be a smart move. Here's why:
It’s free or low-cost
VA care is generally low-cost or free, especially if you have a service-connected disability or low income. You won’t have premiums and many services have no copay.
Extra coverage
VA health care can cover things Medicare Advantage might not, like:
- Prescription drugs at lower prices
- Hearing aids
- Vision care
- Mental health services
- Long-term care, if qualified
Backup option
If your Medicare Advantage plan changes providers, coverage or costs (which they often do yearly), the VA can be a reliable fallback.
Access to VA facilities
You’ll gain access to VA hospitals and clinics which can be helpful if you're near one or need specialty care tied to military service.
No conflict with medicare advantage
Being enrolled in the VA doesn’t cancel or interfere with your Medicare Advantage plan. You can use either system, depending on what works best for your situation.
Veteran-centered care
VA providers understand veteran-specific health issues better than most civilian systems. That includes combat injuries, PTSD, Agent Orange exposure and more.
Bottom line: Even if you’re happy with your Medicare Advantage plan, enrolling in VA healthcare gives you more options, potential savings and tailored support—all with no downside.
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, ActiveOver50 publisher. Email: Larry@activeover50.com. Visit: ActiveOver50.com.
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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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42 Lessons Life Taught Me
By Regina Brett, 90
To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 42 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 last August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short – enjoy it.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.
9. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
10. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
11. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
12. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
READ MORE
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To Add A Chuckle To Your Day, Check Out John Donaghue's Latest Comics.
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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