What Are The Most Important Retirement Issues Facing Boomers and Seniors? - Part 2

I tell clients that retirement is one of the most important challenges they'll face. And they have questions. How are we going to make it in retirement? How are we going to address health issues? Financial issues?

Well, for many of us, it isn't going to be with retirement savings - because most of us don't have enough. We haven't planned adequately. And we all know that those who fail to plan...

Here are more issues facing Boomers and seniors about retirement...

* Social Security isn't yet "broken" - but it's on the way. And if you're planning on living on it...good luck! Current estimates say the program can pay all benefits for the next 25 years or so. But all bets are off after that.

* When should you begin taking Social Security? This is the $64,000 (or, for many of us, much larger!) question. For people in good health, the best answer is usually to wait...if they can. Taking benefits at 62 means a 25% hit in what you'd get if you waited until 66. And delaying benefits when you're 66 will raise them by 8 percent a year until age 70. The longer you can hold out, the better.

* Inflation: Overall, inflation is still low, despite increases in energy and food prices. But if the economy continues to recover, we can probably expect some serious inflation. And retirees - more than any other demographic - have to plan for this.

Planning for a successful retirement is like wrestling with an octopus. Just when you think you've got the beast subdued, another tentacle pops up. But we can help.

At the Law Offices of Alice Reiter Feld & Associates, we've been helping South Florida families deal with retirement questions for the past 34 years. And we've given them concrete methods of securing their retirements, with comprehensive estate planning, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, long-term care planning, asset-protection plans, and assistance with Medicaid or the VA.

Retirement security is a tough goal to achieve. But we can you get there. And we're just a phone call away.

I Recently Moved My Dad Far From Home, To Live With Us. How Can I Help Him Adapt?

Changes in routine can be very difficult for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s. And a forced move certainly qualifies as a change in routine. So you have to allow your father time.

 

Allow him to express his feelings – and listen to him. He has concerns which need to be addressed. He has feelings that need to be validated. He needs you to recognize that he’s dealing with true grief…and that he’s losing more of himself every day.

Trying to reason with him may be fruitless, and may cause him more agitation. But when he asks why, you might respond – calmly – “Dad, I know this has been hard for you. But I love you, and I wanted you close to me.”

Some other things you can try:

• Give him a photo album to look at, with photos of family and friends, vacations, and other pleasant memories. This often has a calming effect.
• Allow him to bring any personal items into his room.
• Introduce him to your neighbors and friends.
• If he can still write, give him a journal, and encourage him to express his feelings in it.
• He might benefit from a support group. Contact your local Alzheimer’s Association.
• If nothing else works, give him the opportunity to speak with clergy or a professional counselor.

Your Dad will need plenty of attention, reassurance, and validation. Keep telling him that you love him, you love having him with you, and you’ll always look out for him. Tell him how well he’s doing. And include him in family decisions when possible.

If you’re caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s or dementia, you’ve got a long and rocky road ahead of you. But we can help you navigate it.

At the Law Offices of Alice Reiter Feld & Associates, we practice Elder Law – and only Elder Law. Over the past 33 years, we’ve walked thousands of South Florida families through the Dementia Journey. And we’ve helped them prepare for this journey, as well…with comprehensive estate planning, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, long-term care planning, asset- protection plans, and assistance with Medicaid or the VA.

We know every step of the Dementia Journey. And we’ll get you through it. We’re just a phone call away.

My Mom Has Stage 5 Alzheimer's, And Is Always Looking For Her Children. Would a Doll Be Helpful?

As with all questions related to Alzheimer's - especially at an advanced stage - what works for one patient may not work for another.

It's worth a try, though.

All of us - Alzheimer's patients included - have the basic human need to nurture. Sometimes the patient believes the doll is a real baby, and she may carry it around with her to make sure it's cared for. And this can often be beneficial.

But there are no guarantees. I can recall a woman at an adult day care center who was constantly agitated. She had been a nurturing person, volunteering at hospitals her entire life In order to calm her down, the staff decided to give her a doll. At first, the tactic worked.

However, after a few hours, she began to worry about the "baby" needing to be fed. She then became agitated about it. In order to calm her down, the staff took the doll and said they were babysitting it. Once the doll was gone, the woman began to calm down. A few months later, the staff gave her the doll again. And this time, she was fine.

So you can have different results at different times...with the same person!

Your mother needs reassurance, and validation. Often, when Alzheimer's patients ask about their children, they're actually seeing their children as children. So tell her that her children are safe, secure, and doing well. Also, you need to be constantly aware of the need to re-direct her attention elsewhere, if necessary.

If you're an Alzheimer's caregiver, you know it's a 24/7 job. And perhaps the most stressful, lonely job in the world. But we can help.

At The Law Offices of Alice Reiter Feld & Associates, we're Elder Law attorneys. For one thing, we've got one of the largest Alzheimer's/dementia resource centers in South Florida. For another, over the past 33 years, we've walked thousands of South Florida families through the Alzheimer's Journey. And we've helped them prepare in advance for it, as well, with comprehensive estate planning, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, long-term care planning, asset protection plans, and assistance with the VA and Medicaid.

We can walk you through the journey, too. And we're just a phone call away.

What Kinds of Support Are Available For Someone With Alzheimer's?

Yes, fortunately, support is available for an Alzheimer's patient.

After your loved one is diagnosed, one of your first stops should be a website calledwww.alzhope.com. It's a loving community of families in similar situations. And it will reassure you that you're not alone...and will give you the chance to vent, to listen, and to post questions. They'll wrap their arms around you and welcome you like an old friend.

Your second stop on the support-trail may be the Alzheimer's Association, at www.alz.org. Here you'll find a list of the programs offered...including one for the patient. And you'll also find a link to your local association, and resources close to home.

You may want to check out your local association's early-stage support group. These groups are designed to meet the needs of the patient. Your loved one will have the opportunity to participate in group discussions with other newly-diagnosed patients, led by a skilled facilitator who'll address all the issues - medical, financial, emotional, and family - that need to be addressed.

Your loved one will laugh, cry, talk, and work on common problems with the other patients. These groups usually meet every month. And while your loved one is meeting with others in the same situation, so will you - family members have their own meeting in a separate area.

Of course, there are also avenues of individual support...such as counseling, clergy members, or home health agencies.

Two helpful contacts:

Alzheimer's Disease Education & Referral Center (ADEAR)

800-438-4380

www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers

National Institute on Aging/Alzheimer's Disease Information

800-222-2225

www.nia.nih.gov

And there's another organization that can help, as well - The Law Offices of Alice Reiter Feld & Associates.

For one thing, we have one of the largest Alzheimer's Resource Centers in South Florida. For a second, we're Elder Law attorneys. For a third, over the past 33 years, we've walked thousands of South Florida families through the Alzheimer's Journey. And for a fourth, we've also helped these families prepare in advance for a possible Alzheimer's/dementia journey, with comprehensive estate planning, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, long-term care planning, asset protection plans, and assistance with the VA or Medicaid.

We can walk your family through the Alzheimer's Journey. And we're just a phone call away.