“ The 40-70 Rule”: Bridging the Communication Gap Between Seniors and Their Families “ CUTTING CORNERS:” Helping Seniors Avoid the Risks of an Economic Downturn

“ Cutting Corners:” Helping Seniors Avoid the Risks of an Economic Downturn In a report released in May by AARP titled “The Economic Slowdown’s Impact on Middle-Aged and Older Americans,” 59 percent of seniors 65 and older surveyed said they’d found it more difficult to pay for essential items. Those are things like food, gas and medicine. The Economy is Impacting Seniors

“ Cutting Corners:” Helping Seniors Avoid the Risks of an Economic Downturn Nearly half (47 percent) said they found it more difficult to pay for utilities such as heating, cooling or phone service. Forty-six percent have reduced the number of times they eat out, and 45 percent cut back spending on entertainment. Source: http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/econ/economy_survey.pdf The Economy is Impacting Seniors

“ Cutting Corners:” Helping Seniors Avoid the Risks of an Economic Downturn What to Look For? Cuts of essential items such as food and medication should be of immediate concern to seniors’ families. Other reductions in spending can lead to less obvious issues such as senior isolation.

Cuts of essential items such as food and medication should be of immediate concern to seniors’ families.

Other reductions in spending can lead to less obvious issues such as senior isolation.

“ Cutting Corners:” Helping Seniors Avoid the Risks of an Economic Downturn Seniors Fear Running Out of Money Falling interest rates, fixed incomes and seniors’ fears of past hardships can influence how they react to the current economic slowdown. It’s important also for seniors to guard against fraud and too-good-to-be-true offers, according to financial planner Sheryl Garrett .

Falling interest rates, fixed incomes and seniors’ fears of past hardships can influence how they react to the current economic slowdown.

It’s important also for seniors to guard against fraud and too-good-to-be-true offers, according to financial planner Sheryl Garrett .

“ Cutting Corners:” Helping Seniors Avoid the Risks of an Economic Downturn Making Difficult Choices Seniors should know where to go for help before they put themselves or their health at risk. Area Agencies on Aging, for instance, offer both food and gas assistance. And companies such as Home Instead Senior Care can provide transportation assistance and help around the home. We also serve as a second set of eyes for seniors’ families.

Seniors should know where to go for help before they put themselves or their health at risk.

Area Agencies on Aging, for instance, offer both food and gas assistance. And companies such as Home Instead Senior Care can provide transportation assistance and help around the home. We also serve as a second set of eyes for seniors’ families.

“ Cutting Corners:” Helping Seniors Avoid the Risks of an Economic Downturn The Warning Signs If you’re a family caregiver, ask yourself the following questions: Is your senior’s home too warm in the summer and too cold in the winter? Is the lawn not getting mowed nor is the sidewalk getting cleaned in inclement weather? Is your loved one complaining about not being able to afford medications? Are home repairs not getting done? Is there a shortage of food in the house?

If you’re a family caregiver, ask yourself the following questions:

Is your senior’s home too warm in the summer and too cold in the winter?

Is the lawn not getting mowed nor is the sidewalk getting cleaned in inclement weather?

Is your loved one complaining about not being able to afford medications?

Are home repairs not getting done?

Is there a shortage of food in the house?

“ Cutting Corners:” Helping Seniors Avoid the Risks of an Economic Downturn Is your senior skipping doctor’s appointments? Is your older adult staying home and becoming isolated? Is your senior cutting out entertainment? Does your loved one eat out less? Did your senior cancel a vacation? The Warning Signs

Is your senior skipping doctor’s appointments?

Is your older adult staying home and becoming isolated?

Is your senior cutting out entertainment?

Does your loved one eat out less?

Did your senior cancel a vacation?

“ Cutting Corners:” Helping Seniors Avoid the Risks of an Economic Downturn Stretching Your Senior’s Dollar Consider the following ways that a senior can make the most of his or her money: Seek the services of an objective financial planner. Get a second opinion on investments and financial purchases. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging if you’re having trouble paying for food and gas. Get back to gardening. Avoid convenience foods, which are more expensive. Look for deals on generic medications. Contact your pharmacist about ways to save money on your medications.

Consider the following ways that a senior can make the most of his or her money:

Seek the services of an objective financial planner.

Get a second opinion on investments and financial purchases.

Contact your local Area Agency on Aging if you’re having trouble paying for food and gas.

Get back to gardening.

Avoid convenience foods, which are more expensive.

Look for deals on generic medications. Contact your pharmacist about ways to save money on your medications.

“ Cutting Corners:” Helping Seniors Avoid the Risks of an Economic Downturn Stretching Your Senior’s Dollar Walk when you can. If the gas prices are cutting into your social life, organize a walking club or walk with friends. Carpool when you can’t walk. There’s economy in numbers. If you can’t afford to drive somewhere solo or in pairs, contact others you know going in the same direction or the same place and share costs. Keep drapes drawn during the heat of the day and minimize opening and closing doors in the cold of the winter. Financial planner Sheryl Garrett says that the ability of seniors to live at home helps cut costs as well. If you or a loved one needs assistance around the house, contact Home Instead Senior Care or visit the company’s Web site at www.homeinstead.com .

Walk when you can. If the gas prices are cutting into your social life, organize a walking club or walk with friends.

Carpool when you can’t walk. There’s economy in numbers. If you can’t afford to drive somewhere solo or in pairs, contact others you know going in the same direction or the same place and share costs.

Keep drapes drawn during the heat of the day and minimize opening and closing doors in the cold of the winter.

Financial planner Sheryl Garrett says that the ability of seniors to live at home helps cut costs as well. If you or a loved one needs assistance around the house, contact Home Instead Senior Care or visit the company’s Web site at www.homeinstead.com .

“ The 40-70 Rule”: Bridging the Communication Gap Between Seniors and Their Families If you’d like to learn more about our services, or if you’re interested in employment as a Home Instead CAREGiver, please contact my office—a local, independently owned and operated Home Instead Senior Care ® franchise.

“ The 40-70 Rule”: Bridging the Communication Gap Between Seniors and Their Families Questions & Answers