Senior Humor - Risque Stories 2 Make U Laff

In a tiny village on the Irish coast lived an old lady, a virgin and very proud of it. Sensing that her final days were rapidly approaching, and desiring to make sure everything was in proper order when she dies, she went to the town's undertaker (who also happened to be the local postal clerk) to make proper "final" arrangements. As a last wish, she informed the undertaker that she wanted the following inscription engraved on her tombstone: "BORN A VIRGIN, LIVED AS A VIRGIN, DIED A VIRGIN" Not long after, the old maid died peacefully. A few days after the funeral, as the undertaker, the postal clerk went to prepare the tombstone that the lady had requested, it became quite apparent that the tombstone that she had selected was much too small for the wording that she had chosen. He thought long and hard about how he could fulfil the old maid's final request, considering the very limited space available on the small piece of stone. For days, he agonized over the dilemma. But finally his experience as a postal worker allowed him to come up with what he thought was the appropriate solution to the problem. The virgin's tombstone was finally completed and duly engraved, and it read as follows: "RETURNED UNOPENED."

A middle aged man goes to his regular doctor for his physical and gets sent to a urologist as a precaution. When he gets there, he discovers the urologist is a very pretty female doctor. The female doctor says, "I'm going to check your prostate today, but this new procedure is a little different from what you are probably used to. I want you to lie on your right side, bend your knees, then while I check your prostate, take a deep breath and say 99," The guy obeys and says 99." The doctor says, "Great... now turn over on your left side and again, take a deep breath and say 99." Again, the guy says 99. The doctor said, "Very good. Now then, I want you to lie on your back with your knees raised slightly, I'm going to check your prostate with this hand, and with the other hand I'm going to hold on to your penis to keep it out of the way. Now take a deep breath and say 99." The old geezer says, "One... Two... Three."

The local news station was interviewing an 80 year old lady, because she had just gotten married for the fourth time. The interviewer asked her questions about her life, about what it felt like to be marrying again at 80 and then about her new husband's occupation! "He's a funeral director," she answered. "Interesting," the newsman thought. He then asked her if she wouldn't mind telling him a little about her first three husbands and what they did for a living. She paused for a few moments, needing time to reflect on all those years. After a short time, a smile came to her face and she answered proudly, explaining that she had first married a banker when she was in her early 20s, then a circus ringmaster when in her 40s, and a preacher when in her 60s, and now in her 80s, a funeral director. Astonished, the interviewer looked at her and asked, "Why did you marry four men with such diverse careers?" She smiled and explained, "I married one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready and four to go."

A travelling salesman came upon an old farmer sitting on his porch, next to the farmer was a pig with only one leg. The salesman was about to give his sales pitch when his curiosity got the best of him. “Excuse me sir, but why does your pig only have one leg?” asked the salesman. “Well sonny, I’ll tell ya. One day I was out plowing the back 40 when my tractor overturned, pinning me underneath. I was losing blood and thought I would die when that pig came running. He dug and rooted around with his nose till he got me out and he dragged me back to the house. Saved my life that pig did.” “Wow, that’s really amazing,” said the salesman, “but I still don’t know why the pig only has one leg.” “Well I’ll tell ya,” said the farmer. “One night me and the wife were asleep at about 3am when a fire broke out in the kitchen. Well that pig broke down the door, came into our bedroom waking us up and getting us out before the fire could get us, saved our lives that pig did!” “Well that’s really great but why does the pig only have one leg?” “Well sonny, when you get a pig that smart, you don’t want to eat him all at once.

Two young businessmen in Florida were sitting down for a break in their soon-to-be new store in the shopping mall. As yet, the store wasn't ready, with only a few shelves and display racks set up. One said to the other, "I'll bet that any minute now some senior is going to walk by, put his face to the window, and ask what we're selling." Sure enough, just a moment later, a curious senior gentleman walked up to the window, looked around intensely and rapped on the glass, then in a loud voice asked, "What are you sellin' here?" One of the men replied sarcastically, "We're selling ass-holes." Without skipping a beat, the old timer said, "You're doing well, only two left."

A group of 40-year-old buddies discuss where they should meet for dinner. Finally it is agreed upon that they should meet at the Beaujolais Bistro because the waitresses there have low-cut blouses and really short skirts. 10 years later, at 50 years of age, the group meets again and once again they discuss where they should meet. Finally it is agreed that they should meet at the Beaujolais Bistro because the food there is very good and the wine selection is excellent. 10 years later at 60 years of age, the group meets again and once again they discuss where they should meet. Finally it is agreed that they should meet at the Beaujolais Bistro because they can eat there in peace and quiet and the restaurant is smoke-free. 10 years later, at 70 years of age, the group meets again and once again they discuss where they should meet. Finally it is agreed that they should meet at the Beaujolais Bistro because the restaurant is wheelchair accessible and they even have an elevator. 10 years later, at 80 years of age, the group meets again and once again they discuss where they should meet. Finally it is agreed that they should meet at the Beaujolais Bistro because everyone's heard it's good and they've never been there before.

Jim left for work one Friday afternoon. But it was payday, so instead of going home, he stayed out the entire weekend partying and playing golf with the boys and spending his entire paycheck. When he finally appeared at home on Sunday night, the old geezer was confronted by his angry wife and was barraged for nearly two hours with a tirade befitting his actions. Finally his wife stopped the nagging and said to him, “How would you like it if you didn’t see me for two or three days?” He replied, “That would be fine with me.” Monday went by and he didn’t see his wife. Tuesday and Wednesday came and went with the same results. But on Thursday, the swelling went down just enough where he could see her a little out of the corner of his left eye.

I know they're terrible, but I can't resist....

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Extraordinary People of the Senior Kind ~

RETURNS IN THE FALL ~

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Are Living Trusts Law Suit Proof?

IS PROPERTY IN A LIVING TRUST AT RISK IN A LAWSUIT?


Question: My grandparents are being sued over a car accident. The other party found out my grandparents' net worth, started seeing dollar signs, and asked for $125,000. Can the money that my grandparents put in a living trust be taken if the other party wins?

Answer: A standard, revocable living trust - in which your grandparents are both the grantors (the people who set up the trust) and the trustees (the people in charge of the trust assets until their death) - doesn't offer any protection if your grandparents lose a lawsuit. Trust property is treated just like any other asset. No wonder some people hide their money under the mattress

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Eight Bargains That Are NOT Bargains

Big discounts! Big sales! Big freebies! Enticing deals abound, but you need to distinguish those from the raw deals masquerading as bargains. Many of them come with so many strings attached that they could cost you plenty. (Those frequent-flier rewards cards, for example? They often cost you a bundle -- and the airline miles are often more restrictive and harder to use than what you'd get from a cash-back credit card.)
Here are eight would-be deals to steer clear of, as well as suggestions for better options.

1. Unlimited Long Distance

Many telephone plans bundle "free" unlimited long-distance service with local calling service. If you don't make a lot of long-distance calls -- or if you make a lot of them from your cell phone -- these plans may not be cost effective. A bundled plan typically costs about $20 more than a local plan, but the average American consumer makes fewer than two hours of long-distance phone calls a month, according to the Federal Communications Commission. That's about 17 cents per minute.

Better Deal: Skip the extra fees, and buy your long-distance service from a reseller such as ECG or Pioneer Telephone. These companies buy their long-distance service wholesale from the larger telecommunications firms but offer the same general quality for far lower prices, billing by the minute or fraction thereof. (ECG charges 2.5 cents a minute for interstate phone calls; Pioneer's price is 2.7 cents.)

Alternately, sign up for a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) plan from a carrier like Vonage, whose plans start at $15 a month (climbing to $26 after a six-month trial) for both local and long distance. Calls travel over the Internet, though, so you need a stable, active cable or DSL Internet connection for this to work.


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2. Frequent-Flier Rewards Cards

Credit card rewards tied to airline miles or gift points were the earliest players in the sector, but it's time to dump them. For one thing, the benefits have shrunk, particularly on airlines: They've increased the number of miles needed for a free flight; reduced flight schedules, making free seats harder to find; and, in some cases, imposed a booking fee on rewards flights.

On certain rewards cards, annual fees may also outweigh the benefits. The perks-laden American Express Platinum, which costs $450 a year, offers a complimentary airline ticket for every first- or business-class fare purchased on select international flights, plus a business-class fare purchased on plus a concierge service, free access to airport lounges, and other bonuses. It all sounds great, especially if you are booking lots of international business-class travel. But if not, you just paid $450 to have someone else make your restaurant reservations.

Better Deal: Try cash-reward cards instead. Airline miles and gifts are fine, but if you have the cash in your wallet, you can make your own purchasing decisions. Peter Flur of Credit Card Goodies, a 10-year-old Web site that monitors rewards cards, recommends Blue Cash from American Express, which offers up to 5 percent cash back on purchases at gas, groceries, and drugstores, as well as 1.25 percent on all other purchases once a cardholder rings up $6,500 in purchases any given year.

3. Checking Accounts That Pay Interest

Interest-bearing checking accounts at traditional brick-and-mortar banks often pay only 0.13 percent interest but require high minimums to avoid a monthly maintenance fee. On, for instance, a deposit of $3,400 -- the average minimum required to avoid monthly fees, according to Bankrate.com data -- that amounts to just $4.42 in annual interest.

Better Deal: In this low-interest environment, forget about getting any interest from your checking account, advises Richard Barrington, an analyst with MoneyRates.com. Instead, look for a no-fee checking account -- and "be sure to check the minimum balance requirement," Barrington says. "These minimums have been rising, so make sure it's a minimum balance you can realistically maintain."

Meanwhile, if you have extra cash, shop around for banks and credit unions that offer good deals. Mike Moebs, an economist whose firm surveys bank fees says there are a few banks and credit unions that combine checking and money-market deposit accounts into one, offering a high rate on balances over $2,500.

4. Overdraft Protection

Many banks used to offer it automatically when you opened an account, making it sound like a valuable safeguard. After all, if you bounced a check or tried to withdraw more cash from the ATM than you had in your account, you wouldn't suffer any embarrassment when the bank refused to process a transaction.

But consumer advocates long argued that overdraft protection was just a way for banks to earn money at your expense, charging $20 to $35 per overdraft -- a substantial penalty, considering the typical transaction prompting the overdraft fee is $20. That's why the government has ordered new rules to take effect this summer that will require banks to get your approval before enrolling you in overdraft protection.

Better Deal: If you want back-up protection without the overdraft fees, consider setting up a savings account linked to your checking account so funds can be transferred in case of an overdraft. There may still be a fee to transfer funds between accounts, but it's typically lower -- only $10.

Meanwhile, keep a careful tab on your bank account balance: If you opt out of overdraft protection and then make an ATM or debit-card transaction that exceeds your balance, your transaction could be denied.

5. Extended-Warranty Protection

Don't buy additional warranty coverage for electronics and major appliances. For one thing, some repairs are already covered by the standard manufacturer warranty. And Consumer Reports' researchers have found that products seldom break within the extended-warranty window -- and that when electronics and appliances do break, average repair costs are about as much as an extended warranty.

Better Deal: Check the fine print on your existing Visa, MasterCard or American Express. Many of these cards, particularly if they are platinum or gold, will extend the warranty for a year. "It's one of the greatest freebies from credit card companies ever," says Edgar Dworsky, a consumer lawyer and founder of the Consumer World Web site. The warranty protection varies, so review the policies on your existing cards before you make a purchase -- then use the one offering the best warranty protection.

6. Going-Out-of-Business Sales

They don't offer the bargains you'd expect -- at least at the outset, when the promoted discounts are usually off the full retail price. That "30 percent off" sale may not be any better than the deals you could get before the liquidation process started. In some cases, you may actually be better off buying from a rival store that is trying to compete with the bankrupt retailer -- and will be around to take care of any problems after the liquidating store is out of business.

Better Deal: Shopping robots, such as PriceGrabber.com and Shopping.com, are good places to comparison shop and may be particularly useful before visiting any liquidation sale, says Dworsky. One of his favorite sites, PriceSpider.com, posts historical prices; the range of prices should help you determine whether the price is likely to hold or continue to drop.

7. Paying for a Credit Report

Despite its name, FreeCreditReport.com is not gratis. Here's what the fine print really says: Order your free report and you get a seven-day free trial membership in a credit-monitoring service. If you don't cancel within seven days, you'll be billed $14.95 a month until you bail out. Be wary of other sites making similar come-ons.

Better Deal:Visit AnnualCreditReport.com instead -- the government-approved Web site where you can get a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus once a year. It won't give you your actual credit score, but most people don't need it. (The exception: If you're actively shopping for a loan right now, go to myFICO.com to get your current score -- and a report from Equifax or TransUnion -- for $16.)

If you're merely curious about how lenders perceive your credit record, you can get a good estimate of your credit score for free at CreditKarma.com. You can also try the credit score estimator at Credit.com; you will probably need your actual credit report to answer some of the site's key questions, such as the age of your oldest credit account and the number of outstanding loans and credit cards.

8. Fraud Alerts

Don't pay for identity-theft-protection services that automatically put fraud alerts on your credit report. You can do that yourself; it's easy -- and free. But be careful: Don't put a fraud alert on your credit report as a general matter, because that means you can't easily open new accounts. You should use fraud alerts only if you've had your wallet stolen or something else has happened to put you at real risk.

Better Deal: Review your monthly credit card and bank statements regularly to make sure there are no unauthorized charges. Also, don't forget to obtain a copy of your free credit report annually from each of the three major credit bureaus -- using AnnualCreditReport.com, of course


For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Save Dollars - Don't Pinch Pennies

Penny-Pinching Is Fine, But It Won't Save the Profligate
by Alina Tugend

Sometimes I read about ways to pinch pennies and I feel good. We turn off lights, often buy in bulk, use compact fluorescent light bulbs and put tap water in our reusable bottles instead of buying disposable ones.

A pat on the back for us.

Then I read another list and realize there are some things I just don't want to do. I don't make my own cleaning supplies. I am pretty hopeless about remembering coupons. I rarely wash out baggies.

A kick in the pants for us.

It turns out there are a million ways to save small amounts of money, and not all of them are going to fit all of us. I know some people who have elaborate coupon systems that work well for them, but it's just not something I want to spend time on. I do use every rewards card I can, though, to rack up points toward a free movie ticket, meal or flight.

I'm not saying my choices make sense. I'm simply saying that saving is as individual as spending.

And perhaps, despite common wisdom, the small ways to save don't really help us. They can even but hurt us by fooling us into believing we are making genuine financial changes when we're not.

"We've read so much about economizing -- here's how to clip a coupon and save 10 to 20 percent," said Jeff Yeager, who wrote "The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map to True Riches," (Broadway Books, 2008). "But what we're missing is the golden epiphany of the time -- not can we save, but what do we need?"

Cutting out the little stuff, what's known as the latte factor, "works on paper, but not necessarily in reality," said Mr. Yeager, who also runs the Web site ultimatecheapskate.com. "It's analogous to the easy weight-loss plans -- that you can save in a quick and painless way."

If we're living way beyond our means, drinking a little less coffee may make us feel as if we're doing something, but we're really avoiding making the more challenging decisions.

Rather, we need to focus on the big choices in life, like buying a smaller house or downsizing the one we have now, Mr. Yeager said. Or living at home during college so we don't run up debt and then moving out when we graduate (rather than, as seems to be increasingly necessary, moving back in with the parents after college).

I can see these issues are important to think about and even act on. But can we start a bit smaller?

Yes, Mr. Yeager said. How about this idea, which is a common one, but worth repeating? Eat out much less. Forty-five percent of the average family's food budget is spent on meals prepared outside the house (that includes fast food). Imagine how much we can save by eating at home.

I don't have to imagine it. I know. That's one of the things we cut back on last year, and it has made a difference.

But notice, I said cut back. We haven't eliminated it altogether. There are times when a Chinese takeout or a restaurant dinner is just what we need. And that's O.K., said Rebecca Schreiber, a certified financial planner for Solid Ground Financial Planning in Silver Spring, Md.

"People tend to focus on the smallest areas that have the least impact," she said. "The key is satisfied spending." That is, don't just spend out of habit, but because it's something you really want. For instance, many people eat lunch out almost every day. It may be because they enjoy the food, but part of it is the activity surrounding the meal -- getting outside and socializing.

So try to do that in a cheaper way, Ms. Schreiber said. Instead of going to a restaurant, buy some fresh lunch options at a grocery store. Then meet with friends and eat outside or in the work cafeteria.

"You can get a salad for $4 at Trader Joe's," she said. That may be more expensive than making one at home, but it's less than ordering it in a restaurant.

When working with a client, "we get into the weeds of the behavior," she said. "We listen to the frequency and timing of the spending." For instance, one client says she goes shopping every weekend with a friend, not because she needs anything, but because it's something they always do.

"You might need to stop shopping with that friend, and find a less destructive habit," Ms. Schreiber said. "I used to take my 4-year-old son to the mall every weekend and think of something to get. What I really wanted to do was just get out. Now we go to libraries, playgrounds and museums."

Another big place to save, Mr. Yeager said, is cellphones. Don't have one.

I fear this is a battle Mr. Yeager is waging largely in vain. But his argument is that most people spend at least $1,500 to $2,000 a year on cellphone bills (I did a quick calculation, and that is true for us). While most of us tend to believe that having a cellphone is not just a convenience but a safety issue -- how else do I keep track of my children? -- the number of people killed using phones while driving belies any true safety claim, he said.

While I'm not going to give up my cellphone, I did go to the Web site fixmycellbill.com and plugged in some information to see if I was on the right plan. People waste a lot of money paying for add-ons or minutes they don't need. The site will, at no cost, tell you how much you could save by changing plans or carriers. For $5, it will give you a detailed report.

I was happy to see that our plan was the most economical one available on our carrier, but apparently if I switched carriers, I could save about $600 annually. Something to check out.

Here are some more ideas I picked up. They may not help you climb out of a deep financial hole, but if you just need to trim your budget slightly, they're worth considering:

• Your printer is a place you can save bucks. Change the font on the documents you print. A Dutch company, printer.com, found that Century Gothic and Times New Roman use significantly less ink than some of the more common fonts. It found that Century Gothic, for example, uses about 30 percent less ink than Arial. And I've found that ink bought on the Internet from companies like inkjetsuperstore.com is far cheaper than in major stationery stores.

• If you were already considering buying a new refrigerator or clothes dryer, many states are offering a cash-for-appliances rebate, modeled on the highly successful cash-for-clunkers rebate program. Each state is administering the program differently, but if you act fast you might get a rebate if you buy a new energy-efficient appliance.

• Taking a shuttle to the airport or paying for parking can run into hundreds of dollars. My neighbors and I started a reciprocal deal. If the timing allows for it, we drive and pick up her family and she does the same for ours.

I rejected a few ideas out of hand. Flattening the toilet paper roll just enough so people can easily pull out only a few sheets at a time seems, well, pathetic. It might save a few pennies, but that's one lifestyle choice I don't want to live with. I'd skip the latte instead.

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Nintendo Wii - Get Moving - Have Fun

Nintendo Wii Provides the Fun Factor

A lot has been written about the importance of incorporating regular physical activity into your daily routine. Knowing the health benefits associated with regular exercise, it's still difficult for many people to make the necessary commitment.

People may consciously or unconsciously resist regular exercise for various reasons.

But one inherent rule applies to nearly everyone -- doing something is better than doing nothing. Exercise becomes a positive experience when you:

The Nintendo Wii, which retails for about $249, was designed as a popular way for gamers to play virtual sports. When physical therapists and rehabilitation specialists learned about Nintendo Wii, they envisioned a different use for it. With the Nintendo Wii they could bring fun back into physical therapy, which can be boring and a motivation-killer if the patient doesn't remain enthusiastic.

The Nintendo Wii uses a motion-sensitive controller which requires people to move in order to play the games. No more couch potato doing finger exercises for hour upon hour. With the Wii, people are on their feet, moving their arms and legs -- depending on the game being played. People swing the motion-sensitive controller like a tennis racket, golf club, baseball bat, and even throw a football. It's range-of-motion exercise sprinkled with fun!

Senior Community Centers Offer Nintendo Wii Activities
Many seniors who were active in sports when they were younger have been forced into a more sedentary lifestyle after developing hip pain, shoulder pain, and knee pain. The limited mobility that comes with arthritis pain forced them to give up athletics and become spectators. That is, until the Nintendo Wii came along.

Now, seniors are lining up at senior community centers to play and compete against each other on the Nintendo Wii sports games. It has become so popular that many community centers are allowing additional time for Nintendo Wii.

The Nintendo Wii has garnered an unexpected audience. What is most exciting about Wii is that it has unexpectedly put the fun back into exercise and physical therapy, too. Don't become so enthusiastic about Wii that you forget about your physical limitations or precautions. Discuss your new passion for the Wii with your doctor. Be sure to ask if you have any restrictions. Follow your doctor's orders -- and enjoy being active again

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Extraordinary People of the Senior Kind ~

RETURNS IN THE FALL ~

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Save Money on Your Next CRUISE Vacation

Here are a few cruise tips to help you plan, save money and enjoy your cruise vacation.

Schedule your cruise during the off-season. This is a simple but very excellent way to save a bundle on your cruise vacation. Cruise lines are like any other travel related business. They have seasonal ups and downs. During the peak cruise season cruise lines charge more. Why? Because they can.

During the slow season the prices drop because there are fewer customers and the cruise lines need to fill the ship to stay profitable. This is basic demand vs. supply economics and you can take advantage of it.

The cost of the cruise itself is only part of your cruise vacation budget. Most travelers will have to fly to the port city where the cruise departs. Don’t assume that you have to pay for this. It is not unusual for a cruise line to offer packages that include airfare.

As you research and plan your cruise, keep an eye out for these airfare-included deals. If you don’t see anything right away, don’t be afraid to ask. You never know what great deals may be available once to dig a little deeper.

Seasickness is a common problem for many people who want to cruise. Did you know that your choice of cabin can actually help with this? The fact is that the rolling up and down ocean movements are much less in the middle of the ship compared with the front and back of the ship. Most people, especially newcomers to cruising, are not aware of this. By selecting a cabin closer to the middle, you can reduce the sea movements that cause seasickness and have a much more enjoyable cruise experience.

Shore excursions are a popular and fun part of cruising. But often these excursions have a limited number of participants. Don’t wait to the last minute, assuming that you will be able to just join in on any shore excursion that interests you. Plan ahead. Find out what excursions are planned and sign up as early as possible so you don’t get left out.

If you are trying to save money, ask during your planning stage about available shore excursions. Many cruise lines offer complimentary shore excursions as part of the cruise package. This can be a great money saver. Always ask about the shore excursion pricing. Don’t assume an advertised excursion is included with your trip.

If you are planning a family cruise, you can really help make the experience the best for everyone by choosing a good family friendly cruise line. Some are better than others when it comes to catering to families. You need to ask.

Many cruise lines have a host of activities geared for kids and a staff dedicated to keeping the kids happy. Other things like kid’s pools, clubs and kid-friendly shore excursions are offered by some cruise lines. On-board strollers and cribs can help make it easier to cruise with a family.

One of the choices you have when choosing a cruise is the size of the cruise line and the ship. With the larger ships you will probably be going to the more popular, well known ports. You will typically have a large and varied selection of fun things to do on-board.

On the other hand, choosing a smaller ship can result in a more slow-paced intimate experience. A smaller cruise ship will be more likely to take you to lesser known, less traveled ports. It all depends on the cruise experience you are looking for. Select the trip that suites your taste.

For some people, cruising is just about general relaxing and sightseeing. But maybe you want more. How about a cruise that combines the pleasure of getting out on the ocean while also focusing on something that you are passionate about?

Many cruise lines offer theme cruises. Maybe you enjoy, or want to learn about gourmet cooking. Maybe you are really into scrapbooking. You can find lots of specialized cruises where you can indulge in your own interests with other people who share your passion. From poker to mahjong, or singles to life healing and yoga, there’s a theme cruise waiting for you.


For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Guardianship in Arizona: Look Closely

Guardianship in Arizona: Elder care or elder abuse?

PHOENIX - Many people move to Arizona for the weather and recreation because it's considered a haven for retirees who want to live out their golden years. But something else is happening here - something haunting.

For Clair's mom, Gloria Horrigan, it was a nightmare.

Clair said her mother was taken to a nursing home against her will and not allowed visitors, not even family.

“It's sickening...It really truly is sickening,” said Clair.

It was a struggle for Robert Brown to bring his wife, Rosemary, home.

She was also taken and within a matter of weeks, the family wasn't allowed to see her either.

What happened in both cases started in a Maricopa County Courtroom - right in front of a judge.

Both Rosemary and Gloria had health issues that made it hard on their families.

Families can't force a loved one to get help, but a guardian can.

That's why their cases ended up in probate court, which hears issues on care for vulnerable adults.

The court approved a guardian in both cases. And both times, the guardian was Sun Valley Group of Tempe.

Their website states they offer "support for client's physical, social, emotional and mental health."

As part of their service, Sun Valley Group also took care of Gloria's personal finances.

But Clair said her mom did not get proper medical treatment and her bills weren't paid. Gloria's house went into foreclosure.

“I’m physically sick from seeing what they've done to my mother. My family, my children, everyone has been affected by this,” said Clair.

Rosemary had a similar story. She was depressed and refused medical care.

Her husband Robert needed help, so he said he agreed to let Sun Valley Group take Rosemary when they promised to make sure she got treatment.

But Robert said under the company's care, she never did, so now family friend and doctor, Marge Butler, is Rosemary's guardian.

“The bills were now coming at a ferried pace,” said Marge.

In total, Marge said the family spent over a $100,000. That was for just four months of Sun Valley Group's care.

It ended when the nursing home thought Rosemary was dying. They finally allowed the family to see her.

As for Gloria, Clair said the company seemed much more interested in her mom's money than her health.

Gloria's final bill was just under $500,000 and included charges for an employee to open her mail at $75 an hour.

“They are supposed to be her guardian and are supposed to be like her parents and look out for her best interests,” said Clair.

After repeatedly being turned down for an on camera interview, The ABC15 Investigators went to Sun Valley Group's office.

They asked us to leave.
We then caught up with the owner of Sun Valley, Peter Frenette, at a county courthouse.

He was leaving a probate hearing involving fees from a different case. Even after several questions, Frenette would not comment.

The ABC15 Investigators have found more issues plaguing Sun Valley Group.

Frenette's wife, Heather, is co-owner, but she is being investigated by the Arizona nursing board.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Organized Crime Unit is also investigating Sun Valley Group.

By state law, both investigations are secret.

We also discovered three multi-million dollar lawsuits filed this year against the company for fraud and racketeering.

Grant Goodman is the attorney for three former Sun Valley Group clients.

“It's more of a criminal enterprise,” said Goodman, “They need to be prosecuted.”

He claimed to find a pattern with these cases.

“They effectively medicate them to such an extent that they really are non-functional,” said Goodman, “And they do that while they're liquidating their assets.”

The three lawsuits also blame probate court.

“The mob isn't this efficient, nor does the mob have the luxury of having a court rubberstamp these proceedings,” said Goodman.

Goodman is not the only one who thinks that way.

Last month, the Arizona Supreme Court issued an Administrative Order to investigate probate court. One of the issues is regulating fees.

Now, Rosemary is back with her family and doing well. She is getting the treatment that she needs.

“We just plan to enjoy life,” said Robert.

Sun Valley Group filed motions to dismiss with the three lawsuits shown in this investigation.

Neither Gloria nor Rosemary has filed a lawsuit.

If you would like any further information on guardianship, visit one or more of these websites:

National Guardianship Association offers a Model Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice and answers to basic questions 877-326-5992.

Center for Guardianship Certification has a directory of certified guardians who have taken a test, agreed to abide by ethical standards, and not been disqualified for prior conduct.

For in-depth reports on guardianship, visit AARP’s Public Policy Institute, or the American Bar Association’s Commission on the Law and Aging

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Baby Boomers: Rethink Retriement Costs

by Philo Gabriel

The “Baby Boomer” generation is a colloquial term for those born during the time after World War II when the birth rate increased significantly due to the bulk of the marriage-age males returning from having been away at war, ready to settle down and start a family. Consensus places the starting year for the Baby Boomers at 1946 (nine months after the end of World War II). There is no similar consensus as to when the last Baby Boomers were born, with 1960 and 1964 being the two most common years used as the endpoint.

In any case, now retirement is very much on the Baby Boomer’s minds, and for a number of reasons it’s maybe not looking as rosy as it was a few years ago. Once aging Baby Boomers really sit down and analyze their financial situation in light of the projected costs of retirement, many of them will have reasons for concern.

First, the good news: Baby Boomers will likely live a lot longer. With life expectancy on the rise, after the typical Baby Boomer retires at 65 or 70 or whenever they choose, it’s not as if their life will be at an end or close to it. Most will enjoy many more years of life; many will enjoy multiple decades more of life.

Now, the bad news: Baby Boomers will likely live a lot longer. However many post-retirement years their parents and grandparents needed sufficient funds to cover, it’ll likely be substantially more for the Baby Boomers.

Let’s look at some of the reasons that might be a problem:

1. More years means more living costs

After you retire and no longer have work income, that doesn’t stop your bills. You still have to eat, you still have to keep a roof over your head. And a good portion of that for many seniors will be at assisted living facilities or nursing homes, which are far from cheap.

2. Medical costs go up with age

Medicare is undeniably a godsend for seniors, but it isn’t perfect. It’s not as if seniors never have to pay a penny again for medical treatment once they hit 65. Medical issues can still deal a major financial blow even to those on Medicare, and the older one gets, the more likely one is to suffer from medical problems that are very expensive to fix, or more often very expensive not so much to fix as to survive with a little longer.

3. Social Security won’t cover much

Social Security serves its purpose of keeping (most) seniors out of abject, homelessness-levelpoverty, but if your sole income is Social Security it’s not going to do much more than that.

It’s not that the doomsayers are right who’ve been saying since about five minutes after Social Security was enacted in the 1930s that it’ll be bankrupt right around the corner, that “Social Security won’t even be around by the time I retire anyway.” No, Social Security is so untouchable politically that it’ll be paying out for as long as the present form of government in the United States exists, regardless of what else has to be shuffled around to make that happen. It’ll end when an asteroid strike, or global warming, or a total economic meltdown far worse than the Great Depression wipes away the present economy and system of government, and not a moment before.

It’s not that the Baby Boomers won’t get their Social Security checks; it’s that those checks are pretty paltry, relative to their expenses.

4. Savings have taken a hit

The recent downturn in the economy and major bear market has left many seniors and near-seniors with less savings entering retirement than they anticipated. Exacerbating this is the fact that in this bear market and that of the dot-com bust of 2000-2002, many people worried about their impending retirement scrambled to get out of the market at or near what turned out to be its low point out of fear of it collapsing even further, and thus missed a good portion of the upturns.

5. Inheritance ain’t what it used to be

Once upon a time, Baby Boomers were projected to receive trillions of dollars. (A Columbia University study projected $10.4 trillion.) For the most part that hasn’t materialized.

The reasons are parallel to those facing the Baby Boomers themselves. While the parents and grandparents of the Baby Boomers are not living as long as the Baby Boomers are expected to, they’re living longer than previous generations, and therefore using up a lot more of their net worth on themselves. Furthermore, they too have taken a big hit from the downturn in the economy.

6. You can only work so long

Many people as they approach retirement age assume that as a fallback, they can simply work longer than planned. If they had hoped to retire by 63, maybe that could be set back to 66 or 67. If they had always assumed they’d be retired by 70 at the latest, maybe they’ll just haveto keep getting that paycheck to age 72 or 73 or even 75.

No doubt that will work for some Baby Boomers. They’ll be able to work a few extra years, and if they like what they do they might even be happier than if they had stopped.

But it won’t work for everyone. Aging beats people up, physically and mentally. You might be able to hold down a job in your 60s, maybe your 70s, maybe even beyond. But you might not. You certainly can’t guarantee that you’ll have the energy and the mental sharpness to have a paying job when you’re 78. The age will vary from person to person, but you’ll reach a point when retirement isn’t a matter of choice.

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Identify & Treat Burns!

HOW TO RECOGNIZE AND TREAT BURN INJURIES

Burns can be painful - and serious. It's all a matter of degree. To know how to treat a burn, and when to call a doctor, first learn to distinguish the different types of burns.

First degree burns: Only the outer layer of skin is damaged. The skin is red, with some swelling and pain. This is the least serious type of burn and can be treated with first aid.

Second degree burns: The first layer of skin has been burned through, and the layer underneath is red and splotchy. Blisters may develop, along with swelling.

Third degree burns: The most serious type of burn, affecting all layers of skin and possibly causing permanent damage to tissues and even bones. Skin may appear either charred and black, or white and dry. For third degree burns, immediate medical attention is needed. Don't remove burned clothing or soak in water, but cover the area with a cool, wet sterile cloth or bandage. If possible, raise the burned area of the body above the level of the heart.

With first degree burns, or second-degree burns that don't cover more than 3 inches of skin, hold the burned area under cool - but not cold - running water for about 15 minutes. Don't put ice on the burn. Wrap the wound in a loose dressing of sterile gauze, keeping air and pressure off the burn. Don't break any blisters that form. The patient can take over the counter medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen for pain.

Keep an eye out for increased redness, swelling, or oozing, and call a doctor if any of these signs of infection develop.

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Frugality is the Best Policy

Jeannine Aversa and Bernard Condon, AP Business Writers,

Frugality among consumers is outliving the recession (what recession?)

Even as the economic recovery plods ahead, many American consumers are refusing to come along.

They're not spending freely -- and they have no plans to.

Many of them have steady income. They aren't saddled by high debts. They don't fear losing their jobs. Yet despite recent gains, they've lost so much household wealth that they're far more cautious about spending than before the recession.

Their behavior suggests that the Great Recession may have bred a new frugality that will endure well into the recovery. And because consumers fuel about 70 percent of the economy, their tightfisted habits means the rebound could stay unusually sluggish.

That's the picture that emerges from an Associated Press survey of leading economists and interviews with more than two dozen ordinary Americans. The new AP Economy Survey asked 44 leading economists whether the recession created a "new frugality" among consumers that will outlive the recession. Two-thirds said yes.

They had in mind people like Marjorie Feldman of suburban St. Louis, who retired three years ago as a systems analyst for a utility company. The stock investments in her retirement account have sunk 15 percent from 2007. The value of her home is down 20 percent.

"I had retired assuming I'd make money" off the investments, said Feldman, who's in her early 60's. "I just don't feel as confident in the economy, and I never will again. I won't spend money the way I used to."

Feldman's husband works full time in academia. She has a part time job preparing tax returns at H&R Block. But her prime earning years are behind her.

"I don't think it will ever get back to where it was before," she said of her nest egg. "I won't spend money the way I used to."

Scott Hoyt, senior director of consumer economics at Moody's Economy.com, notes that baby boomers, in particular, enjoyed spending sprees for most of their adult lives as their assets steadily grow.

"But the recession changed that," Hoyt said. "Many have retirement and children's education looming. All of a sudden, they see their balance sheets decline in a way they've never seen before."

To be sure, many shoppers, especially the wealthy, are buying into the recovery. Partly on the strength of consumer spending, the economy emerged from recession last year and has been growing steadily, if moderately, since. Major retailers logged solid sales in March. Employers have begun to add jobs, including a net increase of 162,000 in March. The stock market has risen 70 percent from its low in March 2009.

Yet many who became penny-pinchers during the recession are in no mood to start shopping again with abandon for clothes, cars and home additions. They've discovered the peace of mind that comes with rebuilding savings, shopping more prudently and learning to live with less.

At their nerve-racked peak last year, Americans socked away 6.4 percent of their disposable income. That compared with less than 1 percent hit at one point during the pre-recession boom. The savings rate has since dropped to 3.1 percent. Yet few expect it to approach the near-zero savings rate that would signal high-octane spending has roared back.

Susan Wilson, 55, a freelance PR specialist in Scottsdale, Ariz., says her business is picking up. But her spending isn't. Wilson still feels burned by the recession, when she lost her home to foreclosure.

"Shame on me," she said. "I wasn't paying enough attention to my financial health. That will never happen again."

Wilson is renting now. She traded in her leased car for a used car she could buy outright. She's started growing her own vegetables and air-drying her laundry to save money and stay out of debt. She's looking to buy a home, but not one with an outsize mortgage.

"I'm looking for pretty much the smallest house I can live in," she said.

Interviews with ordinary Americans suggest a new frugality endures even though consumer spending has risen for five straight months and retail sales for three.

In the AP's new quarterly survey, a majority of economists agreed that a new frugality will persist even as the recovery gains firmer footing.

"I would call it a 'mini age of austerity,'" said Sean Snaith, an economics professor at the University of Central Florida.

"Consumers will not run up multiple credit cards to their limits, and when buying a house the objective will not be to get the maximum square footage for which they can afford the payment. A higher savings rate will be in place for several years."

Jeff Thredgold, an economist at Thredgold Economic Associates, predicts "less impress-my-neighbor-type spending" in coming years.

Count Keith Flowers of Manassas, Va., in that category. He's decided that the hit he took in the housing slump requires him to continue to rein in spending. He's cut off his landline phone and has become a regular at discount retailer Costco.

He isn't worried about losing his job in business development at an information technology company. What's led him to cut back spending is the sunken value of his condominium. He bought it in 2005 for about $270,000.

"I doubt right now it's cracking $100,000," Flowers said.

Rajeev Dhawan, director of Georgia State University's Economic Forecasting Center, says: "I think the chances of us being big spenders in the next 10 years are pretty low."

So much household wealth was inflated by the housing boom, Dhawan said, that the real estate bust spooked consumers. States hardest hit by the bust -- California, Nevada, Florida and Arizona -- together account for about 30 percent of national economic activity, he noted.

Household net worth -- the value of assets like homes, checking accounts and investments minus debts like mortgages and credit cards -- has risen for three straight quarters. But economists say consumers would need a stronger and prolonged increase in wealth to lead them to ratchet up spending. Net worth would have to rise an additional 21 percent just to get back to its pre-recession peak of $65.9 trillion.

Some economists put their hopes for the economy in the rich, who are spending more freely than the rest of the population. They hold out hope that this will encourage more hiring and stimulate spending by the less wealthy. More spending could increase companies' revenue, which allow them to boost hiring and pay. And that would lead their employees to spend more.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. returned to a first-quarter profit as more travelers vacationed on its ships and spent more money on board. And makers of luxury goods are benefiting from a release of pent-up demand for jewelry, watches and high-end furnishings.

High-end retailers have reported blowout results. Nordstrom's revenue in stores open at least one year jumped 16.8 percent last month. Saks' surged 12.7 percent.

McClaren Automotive has announced it will debut a $200,000 sports car in the U.S. next year. And business is picking up faster at high-end hotels than at mid-priced and budget hotels.

Whether spending by the wealthy will cause the less-well-off to spend freely, too, remains unclear. For now, though, many people have embraced a more frugal approach to spending.

Or maybe they've just learned to go without.

Jan Iris Smith, 57, and her husband of Cabin John, Md., put off furniture and clothing purchases after the stock market's collapse in early 2009.

"We were counting on our income from our investments," said Smith, a psychotherapist whose husband is retired. "We just stopped pretending everything was going to be OK anytime soon."


For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Managing With Parkinson's Disease

Managing Your PD

Since Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic condition, it is important to develop and maintain a solid PD management plan. Research has shown that those who take an active role in their care see an improvement in their Parkinson’s symptoms.

Managing your care means not only finding the right doctor, but ensuring you are prepared for your visit and talking to your doctors about the right issues. It means, not just taking your medications, but keeping track of when you need to take them. It also might mean using other complementary therapies (speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy).

People with Parkinson’s are best served by a multi-disciplinary approach that provides not only the expertise of a PD specialist, but also the help of a physical therapist, speech therapist, nutritionist and social worker. Some people also require medical consultants in areas such as psychiatry and neurosurgery. It is important that these healthcare professionals are aware of each other and communicate regularly, and that they all know the full list of treatments and medications that each is prescribing.

Learn more by reading:

Implementing the Team Approach to Treating Parkinson's

Start managing your care today:

You and Your Doctor
Coping with Symptoms
Managing Your Medications
Nutrition
Exercise
Complementary Therapies
Finding Support
Staying Independent
Become an Advocate

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Extraordinary People of the Senior Kind ~

RETURNS IN THE FALL ~

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Alheimer's Disease 2010 Facts & Figures

Alzheimer's Facts and Figures


This report details the escalation of Alzheimer's, which currently impacts over 5 million Americans. Facts and Figures conveys the burden of Alzheimer's and dementia on individuals, families, local and state government and the nation's healthcare system.
Highlights from the report:

African-Americans and Hispanics are at greater risk
Key facts about Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer facts in each state

The 2010 report includes data on:

Prevalence
Mortality
Costs of Alzheimer care
Caregiving
Special report on race, ethnicity and Alzheimer's disease

View news release

African-Americans and Hispanics are at greater risk
The most significant new information coming from this year's report: African-Americans and Hispanics are at higher risk for developing Alzheimer's. African-Americans are about twice as likely to have Alzheimer's than whites, and Hispanics are about 1.5 times more likely than whites to develop the disease.

Although there appears to be no known genetic factor for these differences, the report examines the impact of health conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, conditions that are prevalent in the African-American and Hispanic communities and how these conditions also increase Alzheimer risk.

Another interesting aspect explored is the fact that although African-Americans and Hispanics have a higher rate of Alzheimer's and dementia, they are less likely than whites to have a diagnosis. The report examines the implications of this later diagnosis on families and healthcare costs.

Key facts about Alzheimer's disease

5.3 million people have Alzheimer's
172 billion dollars in annual costs
7th leading cause of death
10.9 million unpaid caregivers

Alzheimer's disease mortality is on the rise!

With a rapidly aging baby boomer population, Alzheimer's will continue to impact more lives. From 2000-2006, Alzheimer's disease deaths increased 46.1 percent, while other selected causes of death decreased. Strategic investments in other diseases have resulted in declines in deaths, and we need to see the same type of investment for Alzheimer's. View full report.

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Senior Humor - On The Lighter Side

'OLD' IS WHEN...
Your sweetie says, 'Let's go upstairs And make love,' and you answer, 'Pick one; I can't do both!'

'OLD' IS WHEN....
Your friends compliment you on your new alligator shoes and you're barefoot.

'OLD' IS WHEN...
Going bra-less pulls all the wrinkles out of your face.

'OLD' IS WHEN....
You don't care where your spouse goes, just as long as you don't have to go along.

'OLD' IS WHEN...
You are cautioned to slow down by the doctor instead of by the police .

'OLD' IS WHEN..
'Getting a little action' means you don't need to take any fiber today.

'OLD' IS WHEN...
'Getting lucky' means you find your car in the parking lot..

'OLD' IS WHEN...
An 'all nighter' means not getting up to use the bathroom.

AND

'OLD' IS WHEN....
You are not sure if these are facts! or jokes?

Hopefully you're still young enough to laugh at this silliness.......

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Fend Off That Collection Agency

Among debt collectors, Steven Katz is known as a “credit terrorist.” For years, he has run what he calls the Steven Katz School of Bill Collector Education, otherwise known as the “credit terrorist training camp.”

Mr. Katz, a 58-year-old accountant in suburban Tucson, spends his free time schooling debtors on the finer points of consumer protection law to help them turn the tables on debt collectors. On occasion, he thumbs his own nose at them too.

“How many times can I sue you? Let me count the ways,” he wrote under his pseudonym, Dr. Tax, in a March posting on Inside ARM, a debt collectors’ Web site.
A former bill collector himself, Mr. Katz rebelled after a debt buyer damaged his credit score with what he says was a bogus bill. Mr. Katz sued, and in 2003 he collected his first damage award, a $1,000 check that he now keeps framed behind his desk.

“The bill collectors, when they call, make you feel like the only option you have is to lay down and play dead. That’s not true,” said Mr. Katz said, who does not charge for his advice. “Nothing validates this more than getting a check.”

Call this movement revenge of the (alleged) deadbeats. Even as collectors try to recoup debts from millions of Americans struggling to pay their bills, a small but growing number of lawyers and consumers are fighting back against what they describe as harassment, unscrupulous practices — and, most important to their litigiousness, violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

In fact, 8,287 federal lawsuits were filed citing violations of the act in 2009, a 60 percent rise over the previous year, according to WebRecon, a site that tracks collection-related litigation and the most litigious consumers and lawyers on behalf of debt collectors.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court made it even easier for consumers to use the courts to fight debt collectors, ruling that collectors cannot be shielded from suits by claiming they made a mistake in interpreting the law.

When a consumer stops paying a bill, creditors often try to collect on their own for a few months. In many instances, the creditor hires another company to collect the debt. In other cases, they may dispose of the debt by selling it to a debt buyer for a steep discount.

Debt collectors and debt buyers are the targets of litigious consumers, since the debt collection law primarily applies to third-party collectors.
Peter Barry, a Minneapolis trial lawyer, is so bullish on the future of debt collection litigation that he holds several “boot camps” each year to share his secrets with other lawyers who want in on the action. If the debtor wins a court case under the act, the debt collector must pay the lawyer’s fees.

The next boot camp is being held in early May in San Francisco, at a cost of $2,495 a person for two and a half days of instruction.
“I can’t sue every illegal debt collector in America, although I’d like to try,” Mr. Barry said.
Mr. Katz can also claim some credit for the increase in lawsuits. For six years, he has run a free Web site called Debtorboards.com, where people share tips on topics like keeping a paper trail and recording calls from collectors.

He said the site received two million hits in 2009, a 60 percent increase over the previous year.
“Debtorboards is geared to help people use the laws as they are on the books as both a shield and a sword,” said Mr. Katz, who says he has won $36,000 from his own litigation against collection agencies. (Since many of the settlements are confidential, it is difficult to prove the claims of Mr. Katz and others).

Of course, debt collectors are hardly pleased with the litigation trend.
Rozanne M. Andersen, chief executive of ACA International, a trade association for the debt collection industry, said she was “extremely concerned” about the increase in lawsuits, which she said cost her industry hundreds of millions of dollars a year. She said much of the increase was the result of ambiguous language in the Fair Debt Collection Act.

Debt collectors are required, for example, to identify themselves on a voice message left for a consumer, she said. But they are also prohibited from telling a third party — including someone who might overhear a phone message — about a consumer’s debt.
“We are between a rock and a hard place,” Ms. Andersen said.
Ms. Andersen said she had little patience for Web sites that encouraged consumers to thwart debt collectors.

“We believe those types of Web sites are encouraging people to not take responsibility for just debt,” she said.

Jack Gordon, who runs the fee-based WebRecon site, said it was no wonder lawsuits were increasing, because consumers were being bombarded with ads from lawyers when they searched online for information on debt collection. He said the proliferation of discussion sites like Mr. Katz’s had, to a lesser extent, also contributed to the trend.

On the boards, he said, “There’s a lot of hot air, a lot of people who overinflate their accomplishments.” Regardless, Mr. Gordon’s database has become a badge of honor among the devotees of Debtorboards.com. As Brandon Scroggin, a 37-year-old from Little Rock, Ark., puts it, “That’s one list I’m a proud card-carrying member of.”

Mr. Scroggin, who provides price estimates at a body shop, said he was the type of person who refused to be taken advantage of, even for petty offenses. For instance, years ago, he said he joined in the class-action suit against the pop group Milli Vanilli, accused of lip synching, and collected a $1.25 check.

After a messy divorce, Mr. Scroggin was stuck with a $7,000 bill that he said belonged to his ex-wife. Instead of paying it, he began researching the law and stumbled on Debtorboards.com.
Armed with lessons he learned on the site, he demanded proof of the debt from the collection agency, and the calls stopped. But two and a half years later, they started up again so he sued the collection agency, National Loan Recoveries, for failing to provide proof of the debt, among other things.

The case was settled in 2008. The terms were confidential, but he says he never paid National Loan a dime. “Let’s just say I’m a very happy person,” he said. A lawyer for National Loan, Kathryn Bridges, did not return messages seeking comment.

Mr. Katz said his Web site was not intended to help people avoid paying legitimate debts. But if they do so, so be it — he feels no need to apologize.

He said Congress gave consumers certain rights, and he is simply making people aware of them, sometimes colorfully.

As Mr. Katz says at the bottom of each Dr. Tax posting, “A telephone in the hands of a collector is like a crowbar — it can be used to pry a mouth open wide enough to insert a foot.”
Barbara Thompson, 46, of Atlanta, said she challenged $11,000 in credit card debt using online research about collection laws. She does not dispute the debts but reasons that the credit card company wrote off her charges long ago. By her account, she owes the credit card company, not the debt collector.

“The credit card company, they sell it off, they charge it off, it’s just business as usual,” she said, adding, “I’m adamant about not paying a collection agency.”

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Seniors: Tackle A New Adventure

Seniors: Trying on New Adventures

Many older persons seem to have no trouble opening doors to new opportunities. Others dread the very prospect. I have never picked up a brush and palate to try my hand and imagination at painting. I would like to. I have never undertaken to sculpt a figure of any kind. I think I could. I have never attempted to play a whole variety of sports and games. I think I might prevail if I did. I have never gotten past a thousand words in setting down an outline for a novel. Oh, that I would try. I have never taken on gourmet cooking. That might be the most unsuccessful of undertakings. I have never sailed a ship or been in a hot air balloon. I have never gone sky diving. I am not a rock climber or a skier or a skater. I have never undertaken race car driving. I don’t have a clue at how to play poker.

Having made all these revelations, the question is: okay, which one would you like to begin doing first?

New adventures, as we can see, are available by the score. It only takes will and imagination to get out there and do it. Those who do are likely to add years to their living. Those who don’t will likely begin, or have already done so, early deterioration. Not a nice prospect. Adding life to years means adding activity to days. Oh sure, there are as many excuses and rationalizations for not doing any or other of these adventures as there are adventures themselves.

Do you remember, as a child, having excelled at some new accomplishment and running home to declare to your parents what you had done that day? Do you remember the first time you hit a home run or hit the tennis ball over the net or made it to the goal line? Do you remember what it felt like to skate on ice or sled down the highest hill in town or dive off the diving board? Why must joys and feelings of that kind be limited to the young? Why can’t we try to reach for stars or fly a kite or even catch frogs from a creek bed?

Trying on new adventures is an opportunity open to us all. The boundaries and limits can only be set by you. The taking them on, jumping in, running ahead is for you to choose to do. And the satisfactions and rewards will be yours to share forever. Try a new adventure. Feel the joy of being young again!


For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Saving Money on Health Care - 4 Tips

Four tips for saving money on health Care

Whether you have individual or group health insurance, costs keep going up and we’re paying more out of pocket, but there are a few ways to guard your pocketbook. Here are four money-saving ideas to consider as you go about your routine health-care activities.

1. You might assume generic drug costs are all the same, but compare them anyway. Prices can vary widely depending on the kind of prescriptions and coverage you have. Shop around at pharmacy chains like Walgreens and Costco to see if your generic drugs cost less there than under your health plan. You may be able to find some savings. Charlie Lichtman, a San Francisco man who recently received notice his health premiums were going to rise 38%, cut his generic-drug tab by about $2,300 a year this way. See this Vital Signs column from early March for more on his quest for answers and savings.

2. Don’t be afraid to question your doctor. Many times potential savings and even patient safety concerns start at the doctor’s office. If your doctor wants to send you for a test, it’s a good idea to ask how the results would affect the course of your treatment. Patients are wise to be skeptical if the doctor is unwilling to discuss his or her reasoning – and both the risks and benefits of doing a particular test.

3. If your doctor sends you for a blood test, consider your options before going to the nearest laboratory. An independent lab like Quest Diagnostics may be able to run the same blood test just as effectively for less money.

4. Review your explanation of benefits forms. You may spot discrepancies or questionable billing practices. If you do, call your health plan, doctor’s office or hospital’s patient accounts line for more details. And if you’re on the receiving end of a persistent billing error that may threaten your credit score, don’t ignore your health insurer. They may be able to help you resolve the problem with your health-care provider.



For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

NEW TREATMENT FOR Early Stage Breast Cancer

Women can now choose to combine surgery and radiation in one breakthrough procedure

Of the nearly 200,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the U.S., their decision regarding treatment has been limited to two options: a mastectomy, the surgical removal of one or both breasts, or a lumpectomy, the surgical removal of a lump followed by over a month of radiation therapy. But now, thanks to an amazing new treatment called Axxent® Electronic Brachytherapy or eBx, early-stage breast cancer patients can combine their surgery and radiation into one procedure, eliminating any need for post-surgical radiation.

“The fact that my treatment was done before I even woke up is beyond words,” says Marianne Howley, the first patient to undergo the eBx treatment. “I want more women to know about this. I just can’t believe how lucky I was to have this type of procedure available to me in my community.”

The eBx option began as a small clinical trial at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park, Ill., under the direction of Dr. Adam Dickler, Radiation Oncologist and Dr. Olga Ivanov, Medical Director for the Little Company of Mary’s Comprehensive Breast Health Center. The cutting-edge eBx treatment, which utilizes IntraOperative Radiation Therapy (IORT) and Xoft Inc.’s eBx System, uses a miniaturized X-ray source to deliver localized and targeted radiation, minimizing exposure to healthy tissue.

"At our one year follow-up, the clinical results of the trial have been excellent. The treating physicians and patients have been very happy," says Dr. Dickler, who has recently written and sent the protocol for the eBx procedure to six other hospitals throughout the nation including California, Texas, Michigan, New York and Mississippi. To date, one of the six organizations has its IRB approval and the others are in progress.

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Extraordinary People of the Senior Kind ~

RETURNS IN THE FALL ~

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Added Sugar ~ Added Risk to Health

A study published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that consuming too much added sugar—which is "any sugar that a food doesn't contain in its natural state, provides no nutritional value and serves only as a source of empty calories"—was associated with a heightened risk for high cholesterol and high levels of triglycerides, two major risk factors for heart disease.

So, how can you figure out how much added sugar you're consuming? That's the tricky part. Currently, labels don't distinguish between naturally occurring sugars and the extra stuff. Organizations are lobbying the Food and Drug Administration to change that, but in the meantime, Dr. Rachel Johnson, a professor of nutrition at the University of Vermont, tells TIME that a good rule of thumb is looking at ingredients and trying to determine which things are naturally sweet. As Alice Park explains for TIME: "if the product doesn't contain ingredients that are naturally sweet, such as fruit, then most of the sugar content is likely added sugar."

The World Health Organization currently recommends that people get no more than 10% of their total daily calories from added sugar, and last year the American Heart Association issued recommendations suggesting people scale it back to 5%. But among the more than 6,000 people included in the new study, researchers found that on average, people were getting 16% of their daily calories from added sugars.

ABC News examines which foods tend to contain more added sugar, and finds that sometimes high amounts of sugar show up in surprising places:

"A 16-ounce latte may have about 17 grams of sugar, but a Starbucks Frappucino of the same size has about three times the amount of added sugar. Fruit smoothies may also contain surprising amounts of sugar. One Odwalla Original Superfood bottled smoothie has about 50 grams of sugar -- the rough equivalent of about the amount of sugar found in five donuts."

USA Today shows how much added sugar can be found in popular sodas and candies—16 or more grams of added sugar in sodas such as Sprite and Coke, 8 grams of extra sugar in a bag of M&M's and 26 grams of extra sugar in a Dairy Queen health Blizzard.

The simplest way to start cutting out the extra sugar? Miriam Vos, an assistant professor at Emory and lead author of the new study, says start by ditching sweetened sodas. As she told USA Today., "We need to get used to consuming foods and drinks that are less sweet."

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Money Saving Tips for Senior Pet Owners

Money Saving Tips for Pet Owners, by Rebecca Quimby

In today's less-than-robust economy, everyone is trying to find ways to save money, and pet owners are no exception. After all, owning a pet can be expensive. According to an American Pet Products Association survey, we spend over $45 billion a year on our pets. But having a dog or cat doesn't have to be a pricey proposition, here are our top five budget-friendly tips for getting and taking care of that animal family member.

1. Start By Rescuing A Pet
If you are pinching pennies (and even if you aren't), go visit your local animal shelter. They have animals of all ages, temperaments and sizes and often only charge what it costs to vaccinate and spay the animal.

If there is a specific breed that you absolutely adore, you still may find your true love at the shelter as pets of all breeds end up needing new homes. Or reach out to the breed-specific rescue organizations. For example, you might find the perfect pooch at Chihuahua Rescue, PugRescue.com, or French Bulldog Rescue Network. You can also search for dog-breed clubs in your area. They often have rescue or fostering organizations that can help connect you to the breed of your dreams while also giving a home to a pup in need.

2. Take Advantage Of Subsidized Spay/Neuter Services
At your local vet, paying full price to get your dog fixed can cost up to $200-300. But many organizations offer discount services, sometimes charging as low as $45 or nothing at all. Check ASPCA's special search function for low-cost and free resources in your area. SPAY/USA and Friends of Animals also provide great lists of low-cost services.

3. Buy Discounted Pet Food
Sites such as Pets Warehouse, PetFooder, PetFoodDirect and large retailers such as Costco, Petco and PetSmart may offer big discounts on your favorite brand of dog food or even special bulk pricing. You should also check out some of the online coupon web sites such as couponmountain.com, slickdeals.net and fatwallet.com or register at your pet food company's site for email newsletters and discount offers.

4. Shop Around for Vet Services
Clearly you want to give your animal the best care you can afford but vet bills can run you up to $340 a year, and that cost skyrockets if your pet has an illness or accident. Ask your vet about discounts, which may be available if you have more than one animal. Check out PetSmart's in-store vet offices which offer coverage for a flat annual fee that can potentially save you up to 50 percent on your veterinary care or Petco's Vaccination and Preventative Services offerings.

Also consider bringing your pet to a veterinary school clinic for discounted care. Once you've gotten a prescription for medications from the vet, comparison shop online to see if you can get better deals on pharmaceuticals at sites such as PetCareRx and 1-800-PetMeds. For people who are really in a bind, The Humane Society offers a list of services that provide financial aid to pet-owners in need.

5. Practice Preventative Care
Save money on vet and grooming bills by doing basic petcare and maintenance at home. Start by brushing your dog's teeth or cat's teeth to prolong the time between pricey professional cleanings and extend your animal's life. Grooming your own pet will save you lots of money too and there are many videos online to teach you grooming techniques. Also, just like with humans, a sensible diet and plenty of exercise will work wonders to keep the pounds from creeping up and help keep your pet healthy and happy.

Most of all, remember that what your pet wants and needs most is simply your love and attention. And those, mercifully, are free.

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Using Coupons Can Save 50% on Groceries

Savvy shoppers tap into the money-saving power of coupons

After being laid off from her job, Darrelyn Carte of Lafayette started to use coupons more often. She also made an effort to learn the art of being coupon savvy and even attended coupon classes at a local church last year.

"It's fun," the 55-year-old said. "It's a challenge to make your money go as far as it possibly can."

It's no wonder that coupon use is on the rise for the first time since 1992 and coupon distribution hit the highest level recorded since 1988, according to Inmar, a business process improvement company. The rise in coupon use started in the fall of 2008, coinciding with the country's economic crisis, according to Inmar.

With the economy continuing its state of flux, people are still trying to be frugal and find ways to save money. Following the national trend, some local residents have turned to coupons as a major way cut back on costs. Some veteran couponers have used coupons for years and even perfected the art behind the craft.

Doug Alexander of Brookston said he started using coupons about a year and a half ago to save money on his grocery bills. He also went to a coupon class in order to learn more about getting discounts.

Although a novice coupon user, Alexander has learned how to really trim the fat off his grocery bill. He said his family used to spend $150 a week on groceries and now he spends about $75 a week on groceries buying about the same amount of food.
He said the trick is to stockpile or purchase sale items in bulk that you normally use and use lots of coupons to reduce the cost even further.

Alexander finds coupons on the Internet, searching manufacturer Web sites and Facebook manufacturer pages for good discounts.

"A lot of people don't use coupons so get your neighbors' and families' extra inserts," the 43-year-old said. "Keep the ones you are going to use and pass the rest along to people who might use it."

Lillian Phillips of Lafayette cannot remember when she started using coupons. "It's just in my blood," the 65-year-old said. "My mom grew up in the Depression."
Phillips said she is "really big on the coupons," adding, "I think it's really important because it's a way of controlling your money and how you spend it."
One trick that Phillips uses is to coordinate the coupons with the sales that are going on at the local grocery stores.

"I always try to coordinate the coupons to go with the sale that way you get a better deal," she said.

Phillips also keeps the coupons at her finger tips for easy access.
"I even travel with them," said Phillips, who keeps coupons in her purse.

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Next Year's Taxes Will Be Higher For Seniors

As you race to get your 2009 federal income tax return in the mail, take a moment to consider the tax landscape. It's changing, especially for senior citizens, and it's not too early to start planning for it.

No matter how you slice it, taxes are probably headed higher, if not this year then next year for certain. The income tax reductions enacted in 2001, often referred to as the "Bush tax cuts," are set to expire at the end of this year. It's possible Congress could vote to extend them for a year or two, but unless the economy slides back into a recession, few analysts expect that.

That means starting next January chances are you will move into a higher tax bracket, even if you're not making any more money. In most cases, you can expect more money to be withheld from each paycheck.

Currently, the top tax brackets are 35 percent and 33 percent. These are the rates paid on income by the wealthiest Americans. When the tax cuts expire, the top tax rate will rise to 39.6 percent.

There are bigger changes farther down the tax table. The tax cut law added two extra tax brackets; a 25 percent bracket and a 10 percent bracket. When the law expires, the 25 percent bracket reverts to 28 percent while the 10 percent bracket moves up to 15 percent - the largest increase of all.

Also set to expire are some reductions in taxes on investment income.

Deduction limits?
In addition, President Obama has floated the idea of limiting some deductions claimed by upper income tax payers. For example, the administration has suggested limiting the value of top earners' itemized deductions to 28 percent.

Even though they would be paying 39.6 cents of every taxable dollar in taxes, deductions would only save 28 percent of every taxable dollar. At the same time the Administration has also suggested limiting the value of the current mortgage interest deduction.

Should you be worried about that? Probably not, at least not right away. Those changes would require action by Congress, which is unlikely in an election year, if at all. Also, the impact falls only on those in the top tax bracket.

Are there any taxes you should plan for in the short term? Yes, if you're a high wage earner. The just-passed health-care bill contained a couple of increases in Medicare payroll taxes for higher-income taxpayers. Analysts at Deloitte say those provisions would cost about $2,250 for a family with income of $500,000.

For retirees, the Medicare Part B premium, which is deducted from Social Security checks, has gone up. The cost this year is $2,652 for a married couple, up almost 17 percent from the $2,270 cost last year. Those in the upper income brackets will pay even more.

If you retired this year, don't forget you'll be taxed on 85 percent of your Social Security benefits. You will likely need to make quarterly estimated payments to avoid owing additional taxes, and possibly penalties, at the end of the year.

Roth conversions
One of the biggest tax changes of 2010 is the ability of all income groups to have a Roth Individual Retirement Account. In the past, upper income groups could not participate.

The difference in a Roth and traditional IRA is simple. In a traditional IRA, contributions are tax deductible each year, the money grows without a yearly tax event, and the account holder then pays taxes as she withdrawals the money.

With a Roth account, the contributions are not tax deductible but withdrawals are. This is a significant advantage if you expect to remain in a high tax bracket during much of your retirement years. However, to convert a traditional IRA to a Roth, the account holder must pay taxes on the current value of the account, which can be a significant hit.

The Estate Tax was repealed for 2010, meaning there is no tax this year on any sized estate. However, the tax is scheduled to return next year, taxing any estate over $1 million in value. The tax rate would also go up significantly. Congress is expected to take action before that happens and may set the limit a bit higher.

In 2007, federal, state and local taxes claimed about $3.8 trillion, or 27 percent of U.S. gross domestic product, according to the non-partisan Tax Policy Center. That's nearly $13,000 for every American. Two-thirds of tax revenues went to the federal government.

It may sound like a lot, but taxpayers in other developed countries pay even more. In 2006, taxes in 30 of the world's richest countries averaged 36 percent of GDP; only Mexico, Turkey, South Korea and Japan had tax rates lower than the US. And taxes in many European countries exceeded 40 percent of GDP because these nations offer more extensive government services than the US does.

Americans do pay far more in individual income taxes than residents of other wealthy nations. Nearly 37 percent of U.S. tax revenue came from personal income taxes in 2006, about 10 percentage points more, on average, than in other industrialized countries. But Americans pay much less in sales taxes; 17 percent of 2006 U.S. tax receipts were from taxes on goods and services, or about half the 32 percent average for rich countries.

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Dog Saliva May Be Key To Cancer Cures

Pucker up! Your dog's saliva may be annoying, but it could also be used in cancer research.

Doggie drool just might be part of a treatment for cancer some day. In fact, the DNA dripping from man’s best friend’s tongue could hold the key to curing rare canine and human malignancies, according to researchers.

To figure out why people and animals get cancer, the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and the Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) have come up with the Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium. Private pet owners have provided saliva, blood and tumor samples from their dogs for testing. The hope is that, by studying canine cancer, oncologists may determine what causes cancer in people.

"Rare diseases in humans also show up in dogs," Dr. Mark Neff, director of the new TGen-VARI Program for Canine Health and Performance, told FoxNews.com. "By studying the DNA of canines, we expect to more quickly discover the genomic causes of disease and more quickly find ways to better treat dogs and people."

The testing, approved by the American Kennel Club and Morris Animal Foundation, will be animal-safe and its funding will come from private donors, as well as a $4.3 million federal stimulus grant, according to FoxNews.com. Cancer is responsible for the death of nearly half of all dogs older than 10 years old.

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524

Caring For the Caregiver

Caring for a spouse, parent or other family member who is battling severe mental or physical illness is a labor of love, but one that has its own emotional toll.

Previous research has shown that untrained, primary caregivers who are looking after family face an increased possibility of several physical and psychological health issues—including an increased risk for depressive symptoms and declines in physical health, or feelings of guilt and anxiety should they give up some caregiver responsibilities. To help address these issues and alleviate some of these problems, researchers and mental health professionals have worked to devise intervention strategies to promote well being among caregivers.

Yet, according to new research published last month in the journal Aging & Mental Health, some of these efforts are designed on too narrow of criteria, and fail to account for the large range of stressors, and different combinations of risk factors, that can impact caregivers overall mental and physical health. In an effort to improve caregiver support, researchers at Pennsylvania State University and The Benjamin Rose Institute in Cleveland studied 67 individuals who provide primary care for family members with dementia, analyzing the different stressors that impacted their lives and how those factors influenced not only their loved one's care, but their own well being.


The study included individuals who served as the primary caregivers for relatives with dementia who were not residing in assisted-living facilities such as nursing homes. Researchers collected data by interviewing subjects in their homes for an average of two hours. Participants were asked about 15 different risk factors—from how much assistance they needed to provide their loved one in routine daily tasks such as bathing, dressing or grocery shopping to whether care for the family member with dementia had created broader family conflict.

Researchers found that, though all study subjects shared the common experience of caring for a relative with dementia, the way that this responsibility impacted their lives differed substantially for each person. That is, each risk factor associated with being a primary caregiver—from decreased leisure time and financial strain to anger or strife over the loss of companionship—influenced each individual differently, and in different combinations of varying severity. What's more, how these different factors influenced a caregiver's own mental health differed greatly among participants—while some showed increased signs of depression but didn't experience anger, while for others the emotional fallout was the opposite.

The researchers did find that while certain risk factors increased the likelihood of some outcomes—feeling overwhelmed or suffering worsening health—the total number of stressors had a greater influence on risk for poor mental and physical health outcomes among caregivers than any individual stressor, no matter how severely participants said it impacted them.

The study authors conclude that the findings indicate the need for intervention efforts specifically tailored to individual caregivers, and the combinations of risk factors that most impact them. They write: "For example, a caregiver who has a high rate of depressive symptoms and is in poor health may need a treatment approach that emphasizes relief from caregiving responsibilities. Another caregiver who has depressive symptoms but is in good health may benefit from interventions that increase his/her activity and involvement, such as learning new skills for managing stressors."

Yet recognizing that caregivers need intervention strategies that address their particular needs doesn't mean that there can't be a more systematic approach to developing these interventions, the authors argue. Developing a technique that allows mental health professionals to carefully assess the many, multi-level ways in which caregivers well being is impacted could help determine not only which individuals most need help, but also provide insight toward building "a multicomponent treatment program that can address the caregiver's specific risks and be modified to adapt to the caregiver's changing risk profile." In other words, use a more systematic approach to tailor a program that grows and develops to meet a caregivers changing emotional and psychological needs—so that they can not only nurture their ailing loved ones, but themselves as well.

For more information contact Senior Solutions at (954) 456-8984 or toll free at 1-800-213-3524