As the weather starts to warm up, it is only natural to think about all the outdoor activities to enjoy. Longer daytime hours full of sunshine and fresh air are two big reasons to get outside after months of cold weather and staying inside. And the best part is that, when assistance is needed, there […]
Resources
Fun Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day with the Grandkids
Although it is not a national holiday, Valentine’s Day is recognized as the day of love all across America. For seniors, this is a day to show an extra touch of love and attention to their grandchildren. A special day between the two generations. Grandparents look forward to lots of hugs, kisses, special treats, and […]
How to Stay Active During the Winter Months
The arrival of winter means lower, colder temperatures across America. This is true even in those typically warm states. The result is that people, especially seniors, will be spending more time indoors where it is warmer. On the surface, staying inside is good for seniors who are more susceptible to cold weather infections such as […]
The Health Benefits of Adopting a Pet
Many seniors who live alone, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic, may experience a sense of isolation while being separated from their loved ones. Even though friends and relatives are staying away out of concern for the health risks associated with the spread of the virus, without contact with the outside world, that sense of […]
Thanksgiving Family Traditions – Five Fun Things to Add To Your Holiday
Thanksgiving is the time when family and friends gather together for a festive meal and to catch up on the happenings in each person’s life. Celebrating Thanksgiving during the COVID-19 pandemic has made it necessary for most families to rethink how they can keep their family tradition if they are not able to be with […]
What Changes are Coming to Social Security Benefits in 2021?
In the United States, over 65 million retirees, surviving family members, and people with disabilities get a Social Security benefits check every month. These same people have come to expect certain changes to their benefits on a yearly basis. Of course there’s the cost of living adjustment known as COLA that the government announces every […]
2021 Increase in Social Security Benefits
Over 70 million Americans rely on Social Security benefits. Even with the most careful financial planning, we all have to consider lifestyle choices, family obligations, and increases in the cost of living when we plan for the future. There are some changes we can make to prepare for retirement, but some things are out of […]
5 Healthy Fall Meals
Autumn means cooler temperatures and longer nights. For many individuals, autumn also means adjusting their meal menus to include healthy, hearty, fulfilling fall meals. Seniors and caregivers for Medicare recipients can take advantage of all the nutritionally healthy fall foods often on sale at the grocery stores. With a little menu planning, mealtimes can be […]
Five Apps to Use to Boost Your Brain
We can tend to be less active than when we were young. Once we retire from our jobs, we spend less time out in the public socializing with co-workers, family, and friends. Even with the hobbies that we love, we are spending more time alone. This means that we are not engaging our overall brain […]
How to Spruce Up Your Salad
Are salads healthy? Yes. Do you need to be content with the standard lettuce and tomato salads? No. Is it easy to spruce up your salads? Yes. Does it take a lot of time and money to add extra ingredients to a salad? No. We are going to show you that with a little creativity […]
Staying Connected in the Middle of a Pandemic
Social distancing has become a way of life in America during the COVID 19 pandemic. Seniors who are at higher risk of illness and younger Medicare recipients with health problems are feeling more isolated the longer they need to remain at home. But the good news is that there are several ways that the elderly […]
Favorite Healthy Summer Meals
Besides warm sunny days, summer is the season for a bounty of our favorite fresh and healthy fruits and vegetables. And the best part of summer shopping is that these tasty, nutritional foods are readily available at grocery stores and farmer markets with friendly prices. Preparing dishes with seasonal produce provides us with essential vitamins […]
Staying Safe in the Sun
After months of staying inside during the recent stay at home orders, people are looking forward to safely spending time outdoors in the warmer weather. In any year, the arrival of summer brings out people enjoying walks, going to the beach or the pool, visiting friends, sitting on the patio, and having picnics in the […]
Why Does Social Security Exist?
Historically, older individuals who had reached a point where they were physically or mentally incapable of working any longer were cared for by family members. In many cases, families stayed within the same home or on the same land for many generations, and because mass transit and personal automobiles didn’t exist or were uncommon, communities […]
Does Social Security Have a Death Benefit?
As seniors age, life planning issues become more important. Part of the process of life planning is ensuring that loved ones left behind after death are financially secure, but many seniors wonder whether or not there is a death benefit involved in passing on Social Security income. Many financial retirement plans, including individual retirement accounts, […]
Does Social Security Call You About Suspicious Activity?
Scams and scammers have existed since the dawn of human history, but these days, the Internet has made it easier than ever for unscrupulous individuals to gain access to personal data for nefarious purposes. While many scams involving personal data revolve around using information to open fraudulent credit accounts, more straightforward and intimidating scams involve […]
Will Social Security Run Out?
The Social Security program was created as a way to assist seniors with a monthly source of income after retirement, and it is administered by the Social Security Administration. There were many contributing factors to the need for such a program, including improvements in medical care that extended life expectancies and the introduction of automobiles […]
When Does Social Security Become Taxable?
When you retire, you begin seeing a monthly deposit from the Social Security Administration. The amount of these benefits is determined based on your age at retirement, your income, and your work history. But, after retirement, questions that commonly pop up include: Do I still have to pay taxes, and do I have to pay […]
Does Social Security Count as Income for Medicaid?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) oversees and manages several federal programs that pay allotments to beneficiaries and qualifying dependents. Whether your income from the SSA will be included or excluded for Medicaid eligibility will depend upon which federal program you are enrolled in. TYPES OF SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME INCLUDED IN MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY Retirement Social Security: […]
Does Social Security Count as Income?
Although Social Security is used as supplemental income for many recipients, others rely on it as a sole source of income. Regardless of the case, it’s important to know whether or not Social Security payments count as income for tax purposes and other financial contracts. In most cases, tax liability is determined by income level, […]