Boom Tip #64: Be Informed.

Suprisingly, Forbes reports one in four U.S. Baby Boomers mistakenly believes he or she has coverage for long-term care expenses. And many Boomers have misconceptions about who pays for long-term care, and they haven’t given much though to long-term care insurance.

Those findings are contained in a survey released Monday by America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP).

“This should be a wake-up call to Baby Boomers. They aren’t factoring expenses for long-term care into their retirement planning and are missing an opportunity to protect themselves,” Karen Ignagni, president and CEO of AHIP, said in a prepared statement.

The data released Monday are preliminary findings from ongoing survey and focus group research. Among the findings:

Only in four Baby Boomers nearing or at the age of 60 say he or she is “very familiar” with long-term care insurance, and 41 percent have not had any discussions about long-term care within the past year.

Most Baby Boomers think Medicare or “other health insurance” will pay for long-term care. Medicare does cover long-term care, but only after requiring individuals to spend nearly all of their assets to quality for assistance.

Click here for a Fact Sheet on LTC Insurance put out by AARP

Have a great weekend,

Joe Freudenthal
Senior Living Specialist
Vintage Senior Living

Boom Tip #63: Set SMART goals to keep motivated

I found a great piece of advice from an email sent to me from Revolution Health to finish off this mini-series on exercise. People quit their fitness and exercise routines because they lose motivation. That’s a really obvious statement; however, it is true. If motivation were kept at appropriate levels then the routine would continue because the person is still gaining enough reward (whatever that reward is) from the exercise to overcome the temptation to quit the exercise routine.

I believe the best way to keep motivated is to continually be reaching SMART goals. SMART goals are goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. Continually be reaching SMART goals and watch as the routine continues and your strength and endurance build.

For example, do you aim to have a flat tummy with just one weekly session of ab work? Probably not realistic. Instead, commit to several weekly core-strengthening sessions with a goal of whittling an inch from your waist.

Let me know if you need help setting SMART goals. I am always available to help you.

Have a great weekend,

Joe Freudenthal
Senior Living Specialist
Vintage Senior Living
St. Joseph, MO

Boom Tip #62: Establish an Exercise Routine

Last week, I showed you tips on how to “jump start” your exercise program. That’s fine and dandy, but if you do not establish exercise in your daily routine, then the “jump startin’” part of the program means nothing. Experts agree that you don’t have to spend hours at the gym to reap exercise’s rewards. Consistency in exercise is EVERYTHING. Modest gains in strength, endurance, and flexibility will make you fit and free from injury.

Some easy-to-maintain workouts grow out of everyday tasks, such as bending, stretching, and lifting while doing housework and yard work. Other opportunities for healthy multi-tasking include:

1. Take the stairs instead of an elevator.

2. Walk to a coworker’s office instead of emailing or telephoning.

3. Recruit an office buddy to take a power walk at lunch.

4. Stand up whenever you talk on the phone.

5. Walk on the treadmill or ride a stationary bike while watching television.

6. Walk or ride your bike to the store instead of driving.

7. Do simple stretches at your desk or while watching television.

8. Plan a vacation that includes physical activities such as biking, hiking, or swimming.

Share these with your senior adult parents also!

Have a great weekend,

Joe Freudenthal
Senior Living Specialist
Vintage Senior Living
St. Joseph, MO

Boom Tip #61: Jump Start Your Fitness

The benefits of exercise for baby boomers are well documented: preventing and treating high blood pressure, helping counter many health problems, including heart disease , depression , diabetes , osteoporosis , fibromyalgia , and stress. Exercise is also a main component of a weight maintenancce program (trying not to gain, that is!).

The below tips will help you jump start a fitness program and the next two Boom Tips will help you establish an exercise routine and keep your program “fresh.”

Jump Start your Fitness Program with these tips from boomertowne.com:

1. Start slowly. Since any exercise is better than no exercise, it doesn’t matter how small your first steps are. For example, two five-minute walks a week may be all you feel comfortable with at first.

2. Read success stories. Feed your need for inspiration by seeing how regular exercise truly changes lives.

3. Set specific, realistic goals.

4. Give yourself the time. Make “exercise” an entry on your daily “to do” list.

5. Don’t expect to be perfect. Try not to punish yourself for missing a day’s routine.

6. Shop for toys. Find a fun new piece of exercise equipment, such as a heart-rate monitor or pedometer , to help inspire your workout.

7. Get support. Supportive, non-judgmental family members, friends, and coworkers can be powerful, creative allies in your quest for fitness and better health.

Now get out of that chair and go for a walk. You can do it!

Have a great weekend,

Joe Freudenthal
Senior Living Specialist
Vintage Senior Living
St. Joseph, MO

Boom Tip #60: Look for Signs of Alzheimer’s

Another tip that involves your aging parents. Odds are they will increasingly become a part of your life again, if they have not already. One issue that may arise is the onset of Alheimer’s Disease.

According to Answers4Alzheimers.com, Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia occurring in over 50% of the dementia cases. If your loved one is 85 years of age or over, there is a 1 in 2 chance that they have Alzheimer’s. You may not realize it because many people unknowingly associate the symptoms of Alzheimer’s with normal aging. In addition, although memory loss occurs in all cases of Alzheimer’s disease, it can be difficult to detect in the early stages as many patients manage to cover it up well during tests as a matter of pride.

* Signs and sypmtoms would be:

Loss of short term memory – more than simply misplacing your keys now and then.

disoriented – especially when driving, but may include the orientation of your own house.

Personality changes – the person doesn’t act like they in their past. Arguementative, nervous, shy, mood fluctuates rapidly, angry, happy, sad.

Physical changes – doesn’t bath, brush their hair, mis-buttons their clothes, etc.

If you notice these signs and symptoms, now is the time to talk to your aging parent when a hopefully constructive conversation can take place, and positive action can be made.

Have a great weekend,

Joe Freudenthal
Senior Care Specialist
Vintage Senior Living
joe@vintageseniorliving.com

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Boom Tip #59: Be Aware Of Your Aging Parent’s Nutrition

Many of you have parents that are getting past 80 years of age. At that age, malnutrition becomes a risk. I found an article on MayoClinic.com entitled, “Malnutrition and seniors: When a relative doesn’t eat enough” that describes the risks and signs of malnutrition and how you can deal with the situation. It is an easy read and very valuable information.

Click here to read the article.

Have a great weekend,

Joe Freudenthal
Senior Care Specialist
Vintage Senior Living

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Boom Tip #58: Find Common Ground With Younger Co-Workers

It is not uncommon nowadays to find three generations of workers employed in the same company with you Baby Boomers as the middle generation. This can cause some interesting situations and communication challenges.

There is a great article by Jim Gray in today’s globeandmail.com that gives some great tips on how to deal with these type of intergenerational quandaries and find common ground with those younger and older. Read the article here.

Let me know what you think.

Announcement: The Vintage Group is now Vintage Senior Living!

God bless and have a great weekend,

Joe Freudenthal
Senior Care Specialist and Principal
Vintage Senior Living

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Boom Tip #57: Check Your Retirement Plan for Health Care Benefits

Anna Banks, a well known baby boomer retirement specialist says that one of the most essential and basic questions of retirement planning, is the one that is unfortunately also the most ignored: does your retirement plan cover health care issues? It is important to start thinking about health care issues as you begin planning for your retirement needs. Always remember that planning ahead will protect you and your family from the possibility of having to pay considerable health care costs, or worse, being unable to afford health care or long term care when you need it. Click here to read more…

Quick Announcement: Effective immediately, The Vintage Group, LLC will be changing our name to Vintage Senior Living. I feel it more accurately captures what we do and what we are about.

Have a wonderful weekend, and if you are going to see Glenn Miller tonight at the MO Theater, I will see you there. Vintage Oaks Retirement Villas is co-sponsoring it with Commerce Trust Company!

Joe Freudenthal
Senior Care Specialist
Vintage Senior Living
St. Joseph, MO

Boom Tip #56: Visit BoomerTowne.com

I ran across this new website as I was doing some research and thought I would pass it on to you. It is well organized, and from all indications, financially well-backed. It has several original-content-rich areas of the site that will appeal to many of you. As I run across other outstanding sites for Baby Boomers, I will pass them on.

Visit BoomerTowne by clicking here.

Have a wonderful day,

Joe Freudenthal
The Vintage Group,LLC
Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Home Care in St. Joseph, MO

Boom Tip #55: Know Thyself

I thought it would be interesting for you to know yourself a bit better this week. I thought this was a very interesting compilation of facts about the baby boomer generation. I hope you enjoy.

Boomer Data from Various Studies

There are 77 million U.S. Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964

Every 7 seconds another Boomer will be turning 60 for the next 18 years

Boomers tend to feel 10 to 15 years younger than their actual age

They define themselves by feelings of youthfulness & optimism

Most do not view retirement as a time to suddenly withdraw from working life

70 is the average age most plan to stop working

Retirement is seen as a chance to redefine work on their terms

Most expect to live at least two decades after turning 60

66 percent ages 51-59 plan to stay “mentally active” by working into retirement

49 percent will work to earn money

1 in 4 ages 51-59 have already attended next-career training sessions

60 percent ages 51-70 have taken steps toward a new line of work in retirement

Boomers excelled for 5 decades without the internet, yet have quickly embraced it

Many plan to create new careers based upon their interests

You baby boomers look to me to be a driven, hard working, innovative bunch.

Have a great weekend,

Joe Freudenthal
The Vintage Group, LLC
http://www.thevintagegroup.net