Although my husband is only a reservist in the United States Coast Guard, we still take advantage of every perk, discount, or resource that serving in the military has to offer – and we constantly share those opportunities with anyone we know who might also be eligible.

Ted Gumley has created a successful business by sharing one valuable opportunity for senior veterans and their spouses: the Aid & Attendance program. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Gumley, a World War II veteran who has owned a number of assisted living facilities and now serves as CEO of Senior Care for Veterans.

Senior Care for Veterans is a private company with 15+ years of experience that consults and assists as to the criteria required to qualify for VA pension through Aid & Attendance, a non-service connected disability pension that can help cover the costs of long term care for qualified veterans and surviving spouses. According to Ted, most veterans don’t know anything about this valuable benefit; in fact, while 33% of all senior citizens in the U.S. are entitled to Aid & Attendance, only an estimated 5% of those eligible are actually receiving benefits. Of those enrolled the program serves 7% of surviving spouses and 34% of veterans eligible.

The $3.3 billion pension program is housed at the VA (Veterans Administration), but the VA is legally prohibited from advertising it. In addition, the fractured nature of the VA and cut backs in personnel contribute to the difficulty of processing benefits for program enrollees, so the VA counts on companies in the private sector to help applicants navigate the confusing and inconsistent requirements needed to secure funding.

And just how much funding can be secured? Eligible applicants can receive up to $1,948 per month or $23,376 per year. “People have cried on the phone because they are so happy to receive the help,” says Ted. It’s not hard to see why – in today’s harsh economic climate with funding for seniors being slashed nationwide and the cost of long term care increasing rapidly, this pension program is a lifesaver for countless seniors and the family members struggling to pay for their care.

Senior Care for Veterans has helped more than 15,000 vets and their surviving spouses receive the financial help to which they are entitled, at a 99% success rate. They have worked in 42 states advising assisted living facilities and home health agencies in guiding applicants through the process too.

–Michelle Seitzer

This guest blog post is contributed by Boomerater, a free online resource for Baby Boomers helping you find everything from a Chicago financial advisor to family vacations. Seniors for Living contributes its senior housing properties to Boomerater’s local directories including Minnesota Alzheimer’s Care, Missouri assisted living, and more.

A new Q&A discussion from Boomerater’s forums appears here each Friday. In this week’s post, members share their solutions for insomnia.

Question: Does anyone have a good suggestion for help falling asleep besides Ambien?  I’ve also tried warm milk and honey — not bad. Any other ideas?

Reply #1: This has worked for me… a form a self-hypnosis. Get comfortable. Relax your body. Consciously check each muscle group and make sure you really are relaxed (sometimes we’re kind of tense without realizing it). Now, focus on your toes and imagine that they’re starting to get warm. Keep thinking about your toes getting warm until you can “feel” them get warmer. Then imagine that warm feeling gradually expanding to the rest of both feet. When you “feel” both feet are warm, imagine that warm feeling slowing moving up your legs, toward your knees.

Follow this process, with the warm feeling that started in your toes slowly moving up the rest of your body. Don’t let anything distract you.  You’ll be asleep before the warm feeling gets up to your belly button!

Reply #2: I was having a tough time getting to sleep and sleeping through the night. Starting a regular exercise routine has helped me a lot. I run on the treadmill (or outside if the weather is OK), and work out with light weights. I exercise early in the day; if I do it at night I find I’m too geared up to fall asleep. What you eat and drink can also affect your sleep, as can the environment (too hot, too cold, too noisy, too bright). For good info on all of sleep tips and the pros and cons of sleep medications, check out helpguide.org/life/sleep_tips.htm.

Find out what others had to say or add your own sleep solutions on Boomerater.com.

The Swine Flu (H1N1 virus) was all over the news this year, and is still around. Now, health experts are concerned that a second wave is occurring as kids head back to school.

The Food and Drug Administration announced that approximately 160 million doses of a Swine Flu vaccine should be ready by October. And who will get the vaccine first? The CDC has named priority groups to receive the H1N1 vaccine:

• Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants less than 6 months old might help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus;
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity;
• All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
• Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because we have seen many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in children and they are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and
• Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because we have seen many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population; and,
• Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

As for vaccinating seniors, it’s important to know that there’s not expected to be a shortage of the vaccine, but current studies have shown that that the risk for infection among persons age 65 or older is less than the risk for younger age groups. As a matter of fact, it’s thought that as many as one-third of the American population over 60 has some antibodies to the H1N1 flu strain. Still, experts stress that seniors should be given the vaccination as soon as the priority groups are completed.

Though the H1N1 vaccine priorities seem counterintuitive since we are used to seniors being among the most vulnerable populations, that doesn’t mean seniors shouldn’t take precautions to avoid both the H1N1 and seasonal flu. Common precautions include: hand washing, avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes, avoiding sick people. It’s also important to get proper rest, nutrition and exercise to maintain a strong immune system.

Remember that the H1N1 or Swine Flu vaccine is not the same as the seasonal flu vaccine and you still need to receive that as directed by your health care provider. Be sure to ask them any questions you may have about the H1N1 vaccine.

For more information, visit the CDC’s H1N1 flu website.

It’s time to fall into autumn with our September 22, 2009 edition of Boomers and Seniors – News You Can Use. The chillier weather makes this season the time of year when you just want to snuggle up and stay inside. But there’s a harvest of opportunities to enjoy, even when it’s brisk out there! Read on for great resources about staying active and informed this fall. And, if it’s inspiration you seek as the days get a bit gloomy, look no further than this recent SeniorsforLiving.com post about Dr. Joseph Kirsner. He just celebrated his 100th birthday in a very unique way. Find out here!

Centenarians may not be quite as unusual these days since people are living longer, but I still think it’s absolutely amazing when I hear of anyone reaching this milestone (or surpassing it). Watching the Willard Scott segment of NBC’s The Today Show is always a thrill!

I’m going to do my own Willard Scott segment here and call attention to an exceptional centenarian, Dr. Joseph B. Kirsner. Dr. Kirsner will celebrate his 100^th birthday on Monday, September 21^st by going to work. Yes, you read correctly. This internationally renowned physician and educator, who has left an indelible mark on the field of gastroenterology, wants to keep to the usual routine that day and practice medicine as he has done for years and years…and years.

Dr. Kirsner’s remarkable life and career (thus far) are chronicled in a newly released biography, GI Joe: The Life and Career of Dr. Joseph B. Kirsner. Penned by colleague and friend, Dr. James L. Franklin, the biography starts in the 1900’s in Boston with the immigration of Dr. Kirsner’s parents from Russia to the United States and takes readers through many memorable milestones before concluding in the 21^st century, where Dr. Kirsner continues to write his own story every day.

It’s not just a medical biography either; there is a love story, and it’s quite romantic. In the fall of 1933, Joseph met his wife, Minnie Schneider – an aspiring ballerina from Des Moines, Iowa – when she was admitted for an ear infection to Woodlawn Hospital in Chicago. As a young intern, Dr. Kirsner was assigned to Minnie’s care, and in his own words, Dr. Kirsner “fell totally in love with her.”  They were married in January 1934 in Chicago, where they settled for many years thereafter. The Kirsners were married for 60 years before Minnie passed away in 1998 after struggling with Parkinson’s and suffering a stroke that cost her vision.

Another interesting highlight – Dr. Kirsner voluntarily enlisted in the Army Medical Corps during World War II and considered it “a sacred duty.”  He returned to the University of Chicago in 1946 where he continued to excel in the field of gastroenterology (both as a physician and an educator), writing textbooks and hundreds of articles, winning multiple prestigious awards, serving as the founder and leader of many important societies on gastroenterology, and spearheading research on digestive disease issues. His expertise even brought him as far as Morocco, where he visited King Hassan II in 1976 to treat the King’s symptoms after numerous other physicians had failed to relieve them. A strong relationship ensued between the two; Dr. Kirsner made more than 50 trips to Morocco to provide medical consultation to the King and his family over the years.

Summarizing the book that archives the life of such an impressive and intriguing man of many years in just one blog post is a challenge — and I don’t really want to steal any thunder from the book’s author either. Pick up a copy of GI Joe to read more about Dr. Kirsner, the man who never considered retirement as part of the plan – and prepare to be amazed.

Do you know anyone who is still working past age 90? 100? Would you consider working that long?

Coming soon: A Special Interview with Dr. Kirsner after celebrating his 100^th birthday!

- Michelle Seitzer

For many people, one of the signs of aging is gradual hearing loss. Many people resist buying hearing aids because of a reluctance to admit a disability or they don’t even realize they have a hearing problem. But perhaps the biggest deterrent? Hearing aids can cost thousands of dollars each, depending on the equipment:

About 37 million people suffer from some form of hearing loss — from minor impairment to total deafness — in the United States. But less than a quarter of the people who could benefit from hearing aids actually use them. One reason is people’s reluctance to admitting a disability.

But cost is a big factor, says Lise Hamlin, director of public policy for the Hearing Loss Association, an advocacy and lobbying group. Hearing aids average about $2,000 each, Ms. Hamlin said, “but I’ve seen prices range from $1,400 to $5,000 apiece.”

While a portion of hearing aids may be covered by insurance (check yours), it’s important to know that hearing aids aren’t covered by Medicare, though the evaluation visit is covered.

There are several styles of hearing aids including: behind the ear (BTE), in the ear (ITE), in the canal (ITC) and completely in the canal (CIC), But, no matter the style, consider these tips before buying hearing aids:

1. Seek recommendations for hearing aid providers. Ask family and friends, or perhaps your doctor about their experiences and look for a provider that offers a variety of products. Be sure to note any Better Business Bureau or local online feedback.

2. Ask the audiologist (who tests your hearing) what hearing aid features you need and be sure to get a copy of your hearing test results.

3. What is the total cost of the hearing aid? Is there a separate fitting fee? Are you charged for adjustments?

4. Is there a trial period for the hearing aid and are any of the fees refundable?

5. Check the contract for the warranty period and loss or damage coverage. Does the contract cover repairs or replacement? Where are repairs made? Will the hearing aids need to be sent away to get fixed, or are minor repairs done in the office? What about batteries? Hearing aids use a lot of batteries and they are sometimes covered in the contract.

Hearing aids are an important investment, so it’s important to know what to look for and what to ask before you make a purchase.

The Hearing Loss Association of America offers some advice about financial assistance for hearing aids and be sure to check out the Lions Club International’s Affordable Hearing Aid Project.

This guest blog post is contributed by Boomerater, a free online resource for Baby Boomers providing information on everything from reverse mortgages to tips to maximize your social security benefits. Seniors for Living contributes its senior housing properties to Boomerater’s local directories including Maryland Alzheimer’s Care, Michigan assisted living, and more.

A new Q&A discussion from Boomerater’s forums appears here each Friday. In this week’s post, members share their tips for getting senior discounts.

Question: I’m looking for websites that identify stores and restaurants that offer discounts to boomers in their late 50s.

Reply # 1: There are lots of sites that can link you to senior discount sites. One of the simplest is About.com’s “Frugal Living” site, http://frugalliving.about.com/od/frugalseniors/a/Senior_Discount.htm. It has an alphabetical listing of national companies that offer senior discounts. Another one I just discovered is seniordiscounts.com. They have a free weekly newsletter with member-submitted discounts. I was surprised by some of the companies that offer discounts to the 55+ crowd. They also have a premium service that lets you search for discounters in your area.

Reply # 2: There’s a list of websites at the bottom of this article: http://www.ehow.com/how_4669376_senior-discounts-save-money.html. This is a very good article submitted by a member of the ehow.com website. It gives tips that include who qualifies as a senior, identifying companies that offer discounts (but may not advertise that they do.) Also it talks about the value of speaking with the groups you belong to for discounts they may support. For example AARP has partnered with hundreds of different companies to offer discounts. Links are given for AARP, SeniorJournal.com, The Seasoned Spender, Bargains4Seniors.com, Eldercare Federal Resources, Senior Pass – US Parks, Rite Aid Pharmacy Living More Program, Hyatt Hotels Senior Discounts, and KB Toys Grandparents Club.

Find out what others had to say about senior discounts on Boomerater.com.

A few months back, I highlighted a fascinating social experiment – Steve Gurney, the founder and publisher of “Guide to Retirement Living SourceBook,” wanted to enhance his 20 years of experience in the senior living world by taking things a step further: he moved in. For one week, Steve completely immersed himself in the world of the Paul Spring Retirement Community, an independent and assisted living community in Alexandria, VA. His experiences extended much further than the one-week snapshot, learning much about the entire process both prior to and long after his stay. He writes,

“I wanted the primary focus of my move to be fully experiencing the feelings and emotions that one goes through in making the transition from a home they are familiar with, to one that is unfamiliar. In an effort to immerse myself in the experience I would not have contact with my family, work or have a car in the parking lot.”

Get an overview of Steve’s first project.

Now, Steve has taken an even bigger step: he’s moving back in, this time bringing his six-year-old son along for the ride.  Enter Asa Gurney, giving his perspective on aging on this You Tube video:

Asa and Steve moved in to the Residences at Thomas Circle on August 19th. You can read about their adventures at Steve’s blog – Everyone is Aging. Steve’s wife Bonnie and three-year-old daughter Ashley visited Asa and Steve for Sunday brunch, one of the most popular family events at senior living communities. Steve writes, “It was fun watching Asa tour them around the community that he now was familiar with and telling the stories of what he had done.” Three-year-old Ashley convinced her parents that she must stay with Asa and Steve for the remaining two days of their stay, so I’m sure the blog entries to follow her arrival will be quite entertaining.

Stay tuned for a future post that examines some of the themes/lessons that Steve will no doubt learn after this stage of the project: there are sure to be a host of observations unique to this project as opposed to the first move-in on his own. I’m also curious to hear what Asa and Ashley have to say about their stay. You can always count on kids to give the straight scoop.

Keep up the good work, Steve – there is no better teacher than experience, right?

P.S. Also check out this recently published New York Times article for a similar experiment: medical students at the University of New England who are interested in geriatric medicine are staying at nursing homes for two week stints – and they are given a diagnosis (or two) to “live with” during that time.   Talk about hands-on learning!

- Michelle Seitzer

In a recent issue of Southeastern PA’s Senior Guidebook, I found an intriguing article called “Taming Your Adult Children” that offered practical, albeit tongue-in-cheek strategies for keeping well-meaning adult children in check.

I’ve seen it firsthand in dealing with my own family. And while I never doubted that my parents, aunts and uncles had my grandfather’s best interests at heart, the approach was often, if you asked me, less than satisfactory. I don’t fault them for trying, and it’s not easy to watch your loved one experience numerous losses without feeling the need to step in and become the parent. In some cases, it may be necessary to do so, but it still must be done in a way that affirms the parent in his/her given role.

Author Kellie Moeller recommends the following to aging parents looking to keep their children from cramping their style:

1. Drive safely and without accidents.
OK, adult children, so we all know that Mom’s vision just isn’t what it used to be, but knocking down the mailbox while backing out of the driveway does not signify that her driving days must come to an end. We all have our share of bad driving moments. Before you take away the keys, consider the track record. If that is the only incident in a few months’ time, chalk it up to sun glare or fogged up lenses. Cut Mom some slack.

Parents, step back and evaluate – and be honest about it, too. You probably hate the thought of losing your license, but if your safety and that of others on the road is compromised when you get behind the wheel, reconsider. Take control of the situation before your adult child takes the reins.

2. Stay chubby and healthy
Dad, little sets off your worried daughter more than dramatic weight loss or a recurring bout of the flu. I’m not suggesting binge eating here, but be sure that your cupboards are stocked and you can get around without falling (as much as you hate it, you might need to purchase that cane or walker).

Worried daughter – check first to see if the weight loss is a result of something other than Dad’s lack of interest in food. It could be a signal for something serious like depression or dementia, but don’t jump to that conclusion immediately. Maybe he doesn’t like to cook for himself. Invite him for dinner once in a while, or drop off a prepared meal for him.

3. Be social
We all know how important it is to stay connected. What a great way for independent parents to keep doting children far away… just stay busy!

4. No overdoses
According to the article, an estimated 30 percent of all hospital admissions are directly related to drug toxicity or adverse drug reactions. While keeping track of the green pill for Mondays, blue pill for evenings, white pill for cramps, and pink pill for lazy afternoons is not always easy (even with those handy little pill holders), this is a serious issue –  even the most independent of parents may need the help of their adult children to keep things on track.

5. Balance dependency
Mom, it’s OK if you rely on your son to take you to Bingo every Saturday and your daughter for trips to the grocery store on Tuesdays. Just don’t burn them out: If your needs increase and trips to the grocery store are requested on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, maybe you need to look into other options for transport.

Likewise, children, don’t burn out because you feel obligated. If you’re cooking and cleaning for Dad and it’s turning into a full-time job, maybe he needs to move in, or maybe a call to a cleaning service will do the trick. It’s all about balance on both sides of this equation.

6. No weird purchases
Scammers are everywhere, and they are after consumers of all ages. However, elders are often targeted. Maybe Mom and Dad have always sent away for Publisher’s Clearing House “freebies” – if so, don’t be alarmed unless the knickknacks are rolling in more frequently than usual. Parents, be wise about your purchases. If you’re unsure of a group that is soliciting for donations, ask someone about it before you send large sums of money.

7. Be useful and active
Mom, you’ve worked hard all your life. If you want to watch Judge Judy or Cosby Show reruns, you are more than entitled. However, your darling daughters may check in more often than you’d like if you sit in front of the tube from sunup to sundown. Get out there and volunteer, or if you can’t get out, stay in and volunteer. Moeller writes of a woman who knits baby hats for a local non-profit for unwed mothers… all from the comfort of her own home!

8. Make sure bills are paid
Again, elders are often targeted when it comes to money – they might pay for something they don’t need (see number 6), or they might pay for services (i.e. landscaping, housekeeping, etc.) that were never rendered. Parents, make sure you are paying bills on time, and know what you’re paying for – it’s a surefire way to keep your kids from meddling.

9. Talk about it
Let’s face it, sophisticated parents – the challenges of aging are not easy to bear. Lighten the load!  Talk to your kids; keep the lines of communication open. Kids, if you’re worried about Mom’s driving skills or the seeming lack thereof, express your concern directly to her before plotting with your siblings on ways to hide the keys. She’s an adult, she raised you, and she’s been around a few years more than you (maybe even decades more). Respect her role. You might not live under her roof anymore (and maybe you wish she lived under yours so you can help her), but she’s still your Mom.

SFL followers, let’s hear from you: how do you strike a balance between the difficult role of caring for your parents and maintaining their independence? Or, if you’re the parent, how do you tell your children “thanks, but no thanks”?

-Michelle Seitzer

This guest blog post is contributed by Boomerater, a free online resource for Baby Boomers helping you find everything from an investment advisor to low-cost entertainment ideas. Seniors for Living contributes its senior housing properties to Boomerater’s local directories including Washington assisted living facilities, Virginia Alzheimer’s care, and more.

A new Q&A discussion from Boomerater’s forums appears here each Friday. In this week’s post, members share their experiences about online photo sites.

Question:

I want to make a personalized photo album for my granddaughter’s 1st birthday. I’ve been saving digital pictures of all her first year milestones. If I do an on-line version I’ll be able to add to it as she grows up. I’ve looked into several sites but haven’t found one I really like that’s easy to use.   Any ideas?

Reply #1 – I just discovered http://www.tabblo.com/studio…. I upload and edit my photos and can add captions. I used it to make a wedding album for my niece and she and her husband loved it… You can share photo pages, print out copies or even order a print or book.

Reply #2 – I used flickr.com before and I have to say, I found it very cumbersome to manage. It offers unlimited storage for a fee (which is nice) but it’s really hard to organize. I will be interested in seeing what other sites people use as well.

Reply #3 – A great place for help in shooting and processing photos and videos and making scrapbooks is http://www.endlessyears.com/ This site is specifically designed for boomers, answerng technical questions in the simplest way & it has tutorials on a lot of diferent topics.

Reply #4 – I really like Kodak Gallery. Easy to use and share, and printing can be done directly or you can pick up at the local CVS. It’s great.

Reply #5 – Just found two more very interesting photo sites. Photofunia.com is a blast! You can put your face into Mount Rushmore, on magazine covers, on the Mona Lisa, on a hundred dollar bill. I also like befunky.com. Their cool effects turn your photos in cartoons, stencils, sketches, charcoal drawings, woodcuts, etc. Both of these sites can make great gifts out of your favorite photos, or perfect covers for your on-line photo albums.

Find out what others had to say or add your own comments about online photo websites on Boomerater.com.