October 2024 Newsletter for CRTS™

Welcome to the October edition of the newsletter for CRTS™ certificants!

Home Inspection Checklist to Prepare for an Easy Sale

Your home might be under contract, but the work is far from over. One of the most stress-inducing aspects of selling your home is a visit from the home inspector. A home inspection has become a standard part of the home buying process, so don’t be surprised when prospective buyers put your home under significant scrutiny.

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A Complete Beginners Guide to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Building an ADU? Accessory dwelling units are a great solution for affordable housing. Whether you’re looking to generate passive income, create more space for multigenerational living, or to simply increase property value, here’s what you need to know about ADUs.

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Should You Be Downsizing for Retirement?

Getting ready to retire? Whether you’re thinking about moving to a smaller home or relocating to a retirement community, there are a lot of factors to consider before you finalize your retirement living options. Calculate what you can afford, take stock of what you want in retirement, and think about the role that housing plays in your transition to retirement.

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September 2024 Newsletter for CRTS™

Welcome to the September edition of the newsletter for CRTS™ certificants!

20 Cosmetic Upgrades to Sell Your Home in Record Time

From cozy window benches to stately fireside bookshelves, custom built-ins lend your home a stand-out quality that will leave a lasting impression on prospective buyers. Popular locales for built-in shelves or bookcases are living rooms, offices and dining rooms, while built-in window seats add ample charm to kids’ bedrooms, playrooms or breakfast nooks.

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How to Organize Your Move

Moving is one of the most daunting tasks you'll ever have to do, but you can make it easier with these expert tips and solutions.

A binder specifically designated for your move will save you time, energy and possibly money. Create your binder at least two months before your move, and organize it into the following categories:

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How to Stage a House to Sell

If the word “staging” conjures up the idea that you’re putting on a show for prospective buyers, you’re on the right track. In a well-staged home, you’re putting the home in the spotlight and inviting buyers to imagine themselves taking a starring role. To do that, you need to step behind the scenes and give buyers room to imagine themselves taking the lead as homeowner.

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August 2024 Newsletter for CRTS™

Welcome to the August edition of the newsletter for CRTS™ certificants!

What Is a Trust? Definition, Account Types and Benefits

A trust, sometimes called a trust fund or trust account, is a legal arrangement to ensure a person’s assets go to specific beneficiaries. The trust creator puts assets in the trust account and authorizes a trustee to administer those assets for the trust creator or beneficiaries.

Some trusts can reduce estate taxes.

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Living Trust: Definition, How Living Trusts Work

A revocable living trust, also called a living trust, revocable trust or inter vivos trust, is a legal document in which you let a trustee manage designated assets for you and your beneficiaries during your lifetime. The trust is changeable and can provide more control than a will.

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What Is Probate? How It Works With or Without a Will

Probate is the legal process for distributing the assets and property of someone who died. If the deceased (called the “decedent” in legal settings) left a will, the probate court will validate the document and appoint an executor to distribute the decedent’s property to beneficiaries and pay the estate’s debts or taxes.

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June 2024 Newsletter for CRTS™

Welcome to the June edition of the newsletter for CRTS™ certificants!

How to Cultivate a Happier Retirement

Researchers have identified several factors besides money that contribute to a happier retirement, including good health, strong relationships and a sense of purpose.

But setbacks are inevitable, in life and in retirement. Not everyone enjoys good health — and no one enjoys it forever. Loved ones die or move away.

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How to Have a Retirement Worth Saving For

Most advice about retirement planning focuses on how to save enough money to replace your paycheck.

But work provides us with a lot more than income. Many of us get a sense of meaning, accomplishment and even identity from what we do. Work also provides social connections and a structure for our days.

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What You Need to Know About Working in Retirement

Many people plan to work at least part-time in retirement because they want the income, enjoy what they do, hope to keep active or need a sense of purpose — or some combination of those reasons. But working in retirement can come with some unexpected costs and hazards. Here are commonly asked questions that can help you plan for what’s ahead.

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May 2024 Newsletter for CRTS™

Welcome to the May edition of the newsletter for CRTS™ certificants!

Should You Rent in Retirement?

Some people rent in retirement because they don’t have much choice; they can’t afford to own homes. But financial planners say renting can make more sense than owning in some circumstances, even for retirees who can afford the costs of homeownership.

Renting offers flexibility as well as freedom from all the chores and expenses of maintaining a home.

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Who Should Consider a Roth Conversion Now?

If you’ve saved a lot for retirement, or your parents have, you could be affected by recent changes in the rules about retirement distributions.

The recently enacted Secure Act eliminated the “stretch IRA,” a strategy used by affluent investors to pass tax-advantaged money to their heirs.

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What Is Medicare, and What Does It Cover?

Medicare is the federal government health insurance program for people age 65 and older and younger people living with certain illnesses or disabilities. Its coverage plays an important role in containing medical costs as you age. But Medicare benefits don’t pay for everything.

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April 2024 Newsletter for CRTS™

Welcome to the April edition of the newsletter for CRTS™ certificants!

What is Hoarding Disorder?

People with hoarding disorder have persistent difficulty getting rid of or parting with possessions due to a perceived need to save the items. Attempts to part with possessions create considerable distress and lead to decisions to save them. The resulting clutter disrupts the ability to use living spaces (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

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What Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disorder in which people have recurring, unwanted thoughts, ideas or sensations (obsessions). To get rid of the thoughts, they feel driven to do something repetitively (compulsions). The repetitive behaviors, such as hand washing/cleaning, checking on things, and mental acts like (counting) or other activities, can significantly interfere with a person’s daily activities and social interactions.

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A Caregiver’s Guide to Conservatorship: What It Is and How to Get One

Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson has been placed under a conservatorship following a May 9 ruling in Los Angeles. Superior Court Judge Gus T. May found “from clear and convincing evidence that a conservatorship of the person is necessary,” and noted that the musician “consents and does not object.” Original filings said that Wilson suffered from a “major neurocognitive disorder (such as dementia).”

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March 2024 Newsletter for CRTS™

Welcome to the March edition of the newsletter for CRTS™ certificants!

Medication Safety: 3 Tips for Decluttering Your Medication List

Medication lists are like coffee tables. First, you just place the TV remote on it. Then, maybe next week you place that book you were catching up on. Then the week after, it’s one more thing. Before you know it, your coffee table is cluttered with things.

Like coffee tables, it’s easy for your medication regimen to slowly become cluttered over the years.

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Hoarding Disorder

Hoarding disorder is an ongoing difficulty throwing away or parting with possessions because you believe that you need to save them. You may experience distress at the thought of getting rid of the items. You gradually keep or gather a huge number of items, regardless of their actual value.

Hoarding often creates extremely cramped living conditions with only narrow pathways winding through stacks of clutter.

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Hoarding Diagnosis and Tests

People with hoarding disorder rarely seek help on their own. Concerned friends or family members often reach out to a professional to help a loved one with the condition.

Contact a healthcare provider or mental health professional if hoarding makes a living situation unhealthy or unsafe for you or someone you know.

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February 2024 Newsletter for CRTS™

Welcome to the February edition of the newsletter for CRTS™ certificants!

What Caregivers Can Do When Banks Reject a Power of Attorney

A durable power of attorney (DPOA) is one of the most important tools in a caregiver’s toolbox. A DPOA is a legal document that nominates a person (called an “agent”) to help you with your finances if you become sick and can’t handle your own affairs. The majority of caregivers handle some financial coordination for a friend or loved one — like paying bills from their care recipient’s accounts, managing investments or handling insurance claims.

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Don’t Let Family Caregiving Ruin Your Financial Future

As a financial adviser who specializes in assisting caregivers and the son of a man who battled lung cancer, Elliott Appel is well-versed in trying to balance a loved one’s needs, work and home-life demands, and the desire to maintain your own financial stability.

“It’s challenging,” he says. “You have a bunch of competing priorities, and usually, there's just not enough money to go around for everything.”

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Powers of Attorney: Crucial Documents for Caregiving

What comes to mind when you hear the words “power of attorney"?

An important legal document? A license to steal? The key to successful caregiving? All of the above?

If you thought “all of the above,” you're on the right track. The power of attorney is a powerful legal document.

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January 2024 Newsletter for CRTS™

Welcome to the January edition of the newsletter for CRTS™ certificants!

Comparing seniors who relocate long-distance shows where you live affects your longevity

Would you like to live longer? It turns out that where you live, not just how you live, can make a big difference.

That’s the finding of an innovative study co-authored by an MIT economist, which examines senior citizens across the U.S. and concludes that some locations enhance longevity more than others, potentially for multiple reasons.

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Moving for Retirement: Where and How to Relocate

Relocating for retirement may be appealing for a host of reasons. Maybe you're looking to lower your costs of living, or perhaps you want to embrace the newfound freedom you have when you're no longer tied to a job. In this article, we'll discuss the steps to take before you relocate for retirement, the pros and cons, and some factors to consider before you make the big move.

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Inspired by 'blue zones': 7 daily habits to live a longer, healthier life

People typically take stock and resolve to make healthy changes around the new year. Blue zones, the longest-lived communities on earth, offer lessons on habits that promote health and longevity.

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December 2023 Newsletter for CRTS™

Welcome to the December edition of the newsletter for CRTS™ certificants!

How to Get Paid By the state for Taking Care of Someone

Caring for an older adult is expensive.

There are out-of-pocket costs for medical supplies, prescription drug co-pays, home modifications, home care help, and more.

In addition, many people have had to leave their jobs or cut back on hours in order to care for their older adult.

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Home Health Care vs Home Care: What is the Difference?

The words “home health care” and “home care” sound so similar, most people assume they’re the same thing.

But they’re not the same and there are some important differences.

We explain what home health care is, what in-home care is, how they can be used together, and show the similarities and differences in a quick comparison chart.

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How Seniors Can Get Help for Prescription Drugs

When older adults aren’t able to afford their prescriptions, they can’t follow the doctor’s instructions and take necessary medication.

To get help paying for prescription drugs, Social Security has a program called Extra Help With Medicare Prescription Drug Costs.

It pays for costs related to a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.

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November 2023 Newsletter for CRTS™

Welcome to the November edition of the newsletter for CRTS™ certificants!

7 Senior Housing Options: Which One Works Best?

When it’s time to make a change in your older adult’s living situation, choosing from the available senior housing options might feel overwhelming. Options range from aging in place at home to full-time care in a nursing home.

Looking at the basics helps you narrow the list to a couple of options to investigate further. That way, you won’t have an overwhelming number of places to consider.

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How Senior Living Advisors Help Find Assisted Living

When your older adult needs to move out of their home, finding available senior housing options can feel overwhelming.

You might not know where to start to find assisted living that fits your older adult’s care needs, location, budget, and lifestyle preferences.

And finding a great place that will take excellent care of your older adult can be a time-consuming process.

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How to Pay for Assisted Living: 6 Options

When seniors can no longer live independently, home care isn’t possible, or if there are safety issues, it may be time to consider moving to assisted living.

Changing their living situation would get your older adult the care they need and make their living space safer.

But the big question is: how does one pay for assisted living? After all, monthly fees can range from $1,500 to more than $10,000.

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October 2023 Newsletter for CRTS™

Welcome to the October edition of the newsletter for CRTS™ certificants!

How to Get Paid by the State for Taking Care of Someone

Caring for an older adult is expensive.

There are out-of-pocket costs for medical supplies, prescription drug co-pays, home modifications, home care help, and more.

In addition, many people have had to leave their jobs or cut back on hours in order to care for their older adult.

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The Ultimate Guide for Senior Veterans Benefits

Veterans benefits can be a source of confusion and frustration for military families. This typically occurs because senior veterans don’t know their rights or don’t understand the bureaucratic barriers to apply for veterans benefits.

In particular, senior veterans may be surprised to learn that they may qualify for a range of healthcare services and financial assistance.

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How Seniors Get Help Paying for Prescription Drugs

When older adults aren’t able to afford their prescriptions, they can’t follow the doctor’s instructions and take necessary medication. To get help paying for prescription drugs, Social Security has a program called Extra Help With Medicare Prescription Drug Costs.

It pays for costs related to a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.

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September 2023 Newsletter for CRTS™

Welcome to the September edition of the newsletter for CRTS™ certificants!

Find Financial Help for Seniors Federal State and Private Benefits

Senior care is expensive. Fortunately, there are thousands of federal, state, and private benefits programs that provide financial help for seniors.

They cover over a dozen categories including medication, health care, income assistance, food, housing, and transportation.

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13 Ways to Create a Dementia Friendly Environment at Home

Everyday life can be challenging for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia. But simple adaptations can make home life easier and more pleasant.

As their dementia progresses, your older adult will have more trouble remembering, thinking, processing, and reasoning.

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7 Sources of Home Repair Assistance for Seniors

Home repairs and modifications help seniors live in their homes for as long as possible.

Making your older adult’s home safer and more accessible reduces fall risk, prevents accidents, and increases independence. In addition, home updates can reduce energy usage, which lowers utility bills.

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June 2023 Newsletter for CRTS™

Welcome to the June edition of the newsletter for CRTS™ certificants!

Helping Seniors Move: Moving Advice and Tips

We know planning and executing a move can be a challenging and overwhelming process at any age. But it can also be an exciting time. And for seniors, there are some unique considerations involved, like the possibility of transitioning to a retirement or assisted living community, or moving to a smaller home or apartment that may require a significant amount of downsizing.

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What is Aging in Place?

Generally speaking, those who spend their retirement years at home actually end up enjoying better physical health and mental well-being. With that said, this process requires some key preparations. With health and mobility issues often becoming more serious, aging in place is not ideal for everyone. The good news is if you plan in advance, living out your life at home can be a viable alternative to nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

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Medicare and Medicaid

Assisted living is expensive, often costing upward of $50,000 a year. Fortunately, there are financial aid options available to reduce personal costs.

When searching for financial assistance, however, many families question whether federal and state programs such as Medicare and Medicaid can provide assisted living coverage. The answer is both yes and no.

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April 2023 Newsletter for CRTS™

Welcome to the April edition of the newsletter for CRTS™ certificants!

Springing vs. Durable Power of Attorney: What’s the Difference?

A power of attorney (POA) document legally enables a person (called the “principal”) to appoint a trusted relative or friend (called the “agent” or “attorney-in-fact”) to handle specific health care decisions or legal and financial responsibilities on their behalf.

Power of attorney documents are crucial for enabling trustworthy family members to help manage seniors’ medical care, bills and legal affairs.

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Legal Competency: When Is It Too Late to Create a Will, Trust or POA?

It's rather common for adult children to suddenly realize that they must step in to help their aging parents. Perhaps Dad has fallen behind on his bills, or Mom is not making sound decisions when it comes to her medical care. Regardless of the reason, this transition of control over a loved one’s very personal affairs can be challenging.

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How to Find a Good Elder Law Attorney

It may be tempting to open a phone book or search the internet for the name of an attorney, but finding one that fits your needs requires some research. Attorney Edward V. Smith of Wollman Gehrke & Associates, P.A. and retired elder law attorney and Medicaid expert, K. Gabriel Heiser, offer the following guidelines to help you find an elder law attorney who is knowledgeable, personable and in your budget.

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March 2023 Newsletter for CRTS™

Welcome to the March edition of the newsletter for CRTS™ certificants!

How to Get Guardianship of an Elderly Parent

When an older adult loses the ability to think clearly, it also affects their ability to make informed and meaningful decisions. This may occur due to Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementias, stroke, brain injury, mental illness, or other serious health issues. If the person you are caring for is unable to make rational decisions about their health care, their finances, or other aspects of their life, seeking legal guardianship may be necessary to ensure their safety and quality of life.

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Springing vs. Durable Power of Attorney: What’s the Difference?

Power of attorney documents are crucial for enabling trustworthy family members to help manage seniors’ medical care, bills and legal affairs. The principal can specify what powers their agent has—whether broad or limited—when the document is created. This legal preparation is invaluable for elders who become incapable of making informed decisions for themselves.

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Power of Attorney

An important part of lifetime planning is the power of attorney. A power of attorney is accepted in all states, but the rules and requirements differ from state to state. A power of attorney gives one or more persons the power to act on your behalf as your agent. The power may be limited to a particular activity, such as closing the sale of your home, or be general in its application. The power may give temporary or permanent authority to act on your behalf.

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February 2023 Newsletter for CRTS™

Welcome to the February edition of the newsletter for CRTS™ certificants!

Living with Elderly Parents: Do You Regret the Decision?

If you are like most family caregivers, you probably made a promise to your parent(s) years ago that you would never place them in a long-term care facility. You assured them that you would be the one to see to their care no matter what. After all, that is what family does, right?

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Things You Can and Can't Do With Power of Attorney

Whether you’ve been named as someone else’s power of attorney (POA) or you’re looking to appoint one for yourself, know what rights, responsibilities, and limitations come with this legal designation.

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How to Get Guardianship of an Elderly Parent

When an older adult loses the ability to think clearly, it also affects their ability to make informed and meaningful decisions. This may occur due to Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementias, stroke, brain injury, mental illness, or other serious health issues.

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October 2022 Newsletter for CRTS™

Welcome to the October edition of the newsletter for CRTS™ certificants!

Affordable Senior and Retiree Living

The time may be coming soon that you are looking for a place that you can retire in. Most over the age of 55 need a residence that offers some important features which is why it is suggested to first check out 55+ senior apartment complexes in your area first on your search.

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Best Online Will Maker

n the unfortunate event of your death, do you know what will happen to your estate and children? Read more to find out everything you need to know about making an online will.

At a certain point in your life or under certain circumstances, you may become concerned with creating a will. This is a legally binding document detailing your final wishes if you pass away.

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Bath Remodels For Seniors

Do you or an elderly loved one have difficulty bathing or showering? Learn which senior-friendly bath remodels are available and how to afford them.

There are many reasons you may want to redesign your bathroom with seniors in mind. Perhaps you are a senior yourself. Alternatively, you might want to redesign the bathroom in the home of a senior parent. 

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May 2022 Newsletter for CRTS™

Welcome to the May edition of the newsletter for CRTS™ certificants!

Helping Seniors Move: Moving Advice and Tips

We know planning and executing a move can be a challenging and overwhelming process at any age. But it can also be an exciting time. And for seniors, there are some unique considerations involved, like the possibility of transitioning to a retirement or assisted living community, or moving to a smaller home or apartment that may require a significant amount of downsizing. 

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How to Cope With Downsizing Your Home

The nest is empty, the mortgage is paid off and you're thinking of moving to a smaller home.

Wherever you go — across the country or across town — retirees, or those headed toward retirement, will not be alone in seeking change. In fact, almost 4 in 10 retirees have moved, according to a 2018 Transamerica Center for Retirement Research report. 

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What Happens to Your Debts After You Die?

How many times have you told your loved ones that you don’t want to be a burden, and saddle them with a financial mess at the end of your life? It’s a common sentiment.

Despite their good intentions, however, many people do leave a pile of bills. So, what happens to unpaid bills, and how can you make sure that your loved ones don't have to spend too much time getting those bills paid?

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December 2021 Newsletter for CRTS™

Welcome to the December edition of the newsletter for CRTS™ certificants!

Hoarding: The Basics

“I’ve always had trouble throwing things away. Magazines, newspapers, old clothes… What if I need them one day? I don’t want to risk throwing something out that might be valuable. The large piles of stuff in our house keep growing so it’s difficult to move around and sit or eat together as a family.”

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Mayo Clinic - Hoarding disorder

Hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. A person with hoarding disorder experiences distress at the thought of getting rid of the items. Excessive accumulation of items, regardless of actual value, occurs.

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Psychology Today - Hoarding Disorder

Hoarding disorder is characterized by an ongoing resistance to discarding one’s belongings, even those with no value, like junk mail, old newspapers, and materials that most people would consider to be garbage. Hoarders also hold on to personal possessions that they no longer use, either because they feel emotionally attached to these items or because they believe they will need them in the future.

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