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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August 2021 Newsletter for CRTS™

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

36 Moving Hacks for a Faster, Easier, and Less Stressful Move

Moving is a part of life. And whether you move often or are packing up your bags for the first time in a long time, it’s a notoriously stressful process that can take its toll on even the best of planners. Fortunately, while moving isn’t necessarily easy on anyone, there are some ways to pack and unpack faster, reduce the amount of work, and ultimately make the process go just a bit smoother than it might otherwise.

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Top 50 Moving Hacks of All Time

“Hindsight is 20/20” — it’s a cliche adage, but it’s pretty accurate when it comes to moving! It seems that you always wish you organized differently, planned more, or simply had an easier way to navigate the moving process. Luckily, we’ve got you covered! These 50 moving hacks are the most comprehensive guide to staying ahead of moving woes.

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How to keep moving truck rental costs under control?

Residential moves are notorious for being expensive so it’s no secret that everybody’s trying to bring down their moving costs as far as they will go. And when your turn to move house comes around the corner, understanding your relocation options well and picking up the most cost-saving method of transporting your household belongings to your new home is your top priority – a critical task that will often turn out to be more challenging than you think.

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June 2021 Newsletter for CRTS™

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

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.

Here are some tips to set a scene that will leave the critics — or at least the home buyers — raving.

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How Much Does It Cost to Move?

Making the decision to move can be exciting, whether you’re moving across town or across the country. And there’s one question pretty much everyone thinking about moving asks: How much will it cost to relocate?

There are all kinds of moving expenses to keep in mind, including cost of living, balancing two mortgages (or a mortgage and rent) during the transition, and the cost of actually getting all your belongings from point A to point B. Here’s some information about average moving expenses to help you make sense of it all.

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Downsizing Tips for Seniors

As we age, most older adults will consider the option of downsizing or moving to a smaller space. Roughly 51 percent of retirees ages 50 and over move into smaller homes after but many older adults don't want to move. Sixty-four percent of seniors say they plan to stay in their current homes. Whether you choose to stay in your home or move, housing is an important topic as we age.

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April 2021 Newsletter for CRTS™

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

Eight small ways to refresh your home

Let’s give it up for our homes. Over the past year, they have really been there for us. Like a good partner, they’ve provided solid support when we needed it, stood by (or over) us in bad times and worse times, through thick and thicker, in sickness and in more sickness. Now it’s time to show them a little appreciation.

A relationship with your residence is like any long-term relationship. After a while you can get complacent. You let certain niceties slide. One day you’re both picking up your clothes, managing your mail stack, washing your own dishes and wearing cologne — and then human nature kicks in.

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Why decluttering videos are so alluring to watch

There’s nothing like the thrill of excitement that runs through me when I see a new decluttering video uploaded to YouTube.

Forget Netflix – watching someone tidy up is all I need to unwind in an evening after work.

It seems I’m not alone in this. The comment sections on these videos confirm the widespread passion for this type of content, and after asking on my Instagram story if anyone else had a notable love of decluttering videos, my DMs quickly filled up.

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Down the Basement Stairs and Into the Past

Going through a box filled with memories prompted me to find people I hadn’t spoken to in decades. Am I the only one whose social life has improved during the lockdown?

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January 2021 Newsletter for CRTS™

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

Benefits Veterans May Overlook

The Department of Veterans Affairs is known for providing health services to those who have served in the military, but it offers a variety of other benefits that get much less attention and use.

About 23 million people have served in uniform in the United States, but just 9 million are interacting with VA services, so getting information to the larger community was the aim of a website revamp.

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Volunteers Can Make a Big Difference for Veterans

David Edwards recalls how volunteering with veterans changed his late father’s life at a challenging time.

His dad — James Edwards, who died in 2009 — seemed happy enough during the first year following his retirement, the son recalls. His father played golf in the summer and did woodworking in the winter. But soon, it became clear that something was missing from his dad’s life.

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Trump Aims to Stem Vet Suicides With Outreach, Community Grants

President Trump signed an executive order Tuesday aimed at stemming a persistently high number of veteran suicides, urging expanded outreach by awarding grants to community programs.

The order creates a Cabinet-level task force that will seek to develop a national road map for suicide prevention, bringing in state and local organizations to raise awareness among the high-risk group. It directs the task force led by Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie to complete a plan in 12 months.

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December 2020 Newsletter for CRTS™

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

What to do with the ‘treasures’ your kids don’t want

Parents who are downsizing or simply decluttering may have to get creative at finding homes for all their unwanted possessions — particularly these days.

The generations that came after the baby boom are famously less interested than their predecessors in the trappings of domestic life, says Elizabeth Stewart, author of “No Thanks Mom: The Top Ten Objects Your Kids Do NOT Want (and What To Do With Them).”

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Probate Workarounds Can Save Your Heirs Time and Money

A reader recently reached out after his elderly mother died, asking how soon he could distribute the $10,000 she had earmarked in her will for each of her two grandchildren.

Because she lived in California, I had to break the bad news: He won’t be able to hand over the money any time soon.

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How Aging Trends Will Reshape Life In 2030

Back in 1982, I remember devouring futurist John Naisbitt’s bestseller, Megatrends: Ten New Directions Transforming Our Lives. Now, Wharton management professor Mauro F. Guillén has published 2030: How Today’s Biggest Trends Will Collide and Reshape the Future of Everything. It’s equally fascinating, for its predictions ranging from the rise of wealth owned by women to Sub-Saharan Africa being the birthplace of the next industrial revolution. But I was most taken by Guillén’s forecasts about population aging and its implications.

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October 2020 Newsletter for CRTS™

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

Predisposition to Infection in the Elderly

With normal aging, there are mild-to-moderate changes within the immune system. In the elderly, however, it is commonly observed that a more profound deficit occurs with regard to immune function.1 Not only do these changes render a senior susceptible to certain infections, but they also affect the clinical presentation of these infections. Atypical presentation of infection in the elderly may be so subtle that pneumonia or a urinary tract infection may manifest with a change in mental status or mild malaise as the only clinical indication of infection.

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The 5 Most Common Infections in the Elderly

Common infections like influenza and UTIs can happen to anyone, but for adults over the age of 65, these illnesses may be much harder to diagnose — leading to chronic poor health, ongoing discomfort and a higher risk of hospitalization.

In fact, one-third of all deaths in seniors over 65 results from infectious diseases, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Though seniors are more susceptible to infection overall, seniors with dementia or those who are in long-term care may be at even greater risk.

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Contamination in Nursing Homes

Nursing home facilities are breeding grounds for infectious diseases caused by lack of hygiene, which causes germs to spread and affect patients. This is often due to poor management. It is estimated that 380,000 patients may pass away each year due to infections contracted in these facilities. That said, infections represent a serious threat to nursing home residents. Preventing infection should be a basic part of any nursing home. In order to prevent infection in nursing homes, the facility needs to be properly staffed and trained.

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August 2020 Newsletter for CRTS™

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

5 Key Tips to Communicating With Dementia Patients

Dementia is described simply as symptoms that affect the communication, intellectual, and social functioning of an individual. It is a condition that affects the brain, which controls all functions of our body. It is not a specific disease; rather there are many causes of dementia. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia.

If you've spent much time around anyone with dementia then you realize what an obstacle communication can be. I'm going to go over five things you should always remember when communicating with dementia patients.

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What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

• The most common type of dementia.

• A progressive disease beginning with mild memory loss possibly leading to loss of the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to the environment.

• Involves parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language.

• Can seriously affect a person’s ability to carry out daily activities.

Although scientists are learning more every day, right now, they still do not know what causes Alzheimer’s disease.

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What Is Validation Therapy and How Can It Help?

Receiving a diagnosis of dementia for a parent or loved one can be an emotional and scary time. While parts of life begin to make sense, others begin to crumble in painful ways. Fortunately, current research suggests there are ways we can help our elderly family members to cope with the challenges of their disease.

Validation therapy is a well-documented strategy for helping individuals with dementia retain their dignity and their quality of life. We will discuss what it is, where it came from, who it benefits, and how it helps in both homes and clinical settings.

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June 2020 Newsletter for CRTS™

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

3 Ways to Respond When Someone with Alzheimer’s Says I Want to Go Home

Hearing someone say “I want to go home” over and over again is something Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers often deal with.

It’s especially frustrating to hear when they’re already home.

But when someone has dementia, it simply doesn’t work to use logic to explain that they’re already home or that they can’t go back to a previous home.

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The Five Wishes Living Will Makes It Easier to Plan for End-Of-Life

End of life seems like a scary topic to bring up with your older adult, but many seniors actually feel relieved after sharing their wishes.

Working with your older adult to complete a living will or advance directive helps you understand and legally document their wishes for end-of-life care.

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What Happens When Someone Dies Without a Will?

f your older adult wants to be sure that their assets and property will be given to certain people or organizations after they pass away, they must have a will.

A will is especially important if your older adult plans to give assets to their unmarried partner, close friends, or charities.

Otherwise, the court decides what happens to their property – and certain people or groups will be left out because of the current laws.

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May 2020 Newsletter for CRTS™

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

6 Ideas to Get Seniors to Drink More Water

Dehydration is a common and serious health problem for seniors

Preventing dehydration is important because it can cause serious health issues and is a common cause of hospitalization in people over age 65. Being properly hydrated is also needed for certain medications to work.

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The Most Natural Way To Boost Mental Health During COVID-19

It can help improve mental health and wellbeing and reduce anxiety.

Even modest reminders of nature can help boost mental health during lockdown, research finds. Nature can be experienced on a walk close to home, in the back yard or even indoors.

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How Coronavirus Stress Could Affect Thinking Skills

Stress can temporarily damage these cognitive abilities.

Stress makes it harder for people to plan for the future, new research finds. This is because being under stress robs people of their ability to use their memory effectively.

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April 2020 Newsletter for CRTS™

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

Coronavirus FAQs: Is A Homemade Mask Effective? And What's The Best Way To Wear One?

Since the beginning of the global coronavirus pandemic, Americans have been told by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention not to wear masks unless they are sick, caring for a sick person who is unable to wear one or working in health care. Numerous reasons have been given: that they don't offer significant protection from germs, that the most effective models need special fitting in order to work, that regular people don't typically wear them correctly, that they'll give people a false sense of security and cause them to be lax about hand-washing and social distancing.

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AARP Answers: Social Security and Coronavirus

The latest on monthly benefits, stimulus checks, office closures and more

I receive Social Security benefits. Am I also eligible to receive a stimulus check?

Yes. AARP worked hard to ensure that Social Security recipients are included in the relief payment, which is part of the CARES Act.

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Scientists Probe How Coronavirus Might Travel Through The Air

When researcher Josh Santarpia stands at the foot of a bed, taking measurements with a device that can detect tiny, invisible particles of mucus or saliva that come out of someone's mouth and move through the air, he can tell whether the bedridden person is speaking or not just by looking at the read-out on his instrument.

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March 2020 Newsletter for CRTS™

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

How Chronic Loneliness Can Trigger Health Problems

Last time you visited your doctor, did he or she ask if you felt lonely? Did your doctor inquire about how many friendships you have or ask about how many community groups you are involved with?

There’s a growing body of research showing that extended loneliness and isolation are detrimental to health, and can even shorten people’s lives. One example is an analysis of about 70 studies conducted between 1980 and 2014 looking into loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for mortality.

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What Caregivers Should Know About Managing a Loved One's Money

Age and ill health, particularly dementia or other conditions that affect memory and cognition, can impair a person's ability to responsibly manage one of the most important components of their livelihood: their money.

That makes it all the more important to have the uneasy but essential conversation with loved ones about who will oversee their finances, and how, if they no longer can. Here are some important legal and financial tools to understand and potential problems to look out for if you need to take on the role of money manager or find someone else who can.

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Age-Forward Cities for 2030: The Big Challenge

By 2030, roughly three of every five people on the planet will live in cities. How prepared are cities to serve their older residents? Based on a report released today, Age-Forward Cities for 2030, the answer seems to be: not very.

But, according to the report’s authors, Nora Super and Caroline Servat at the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging, a few large and small U.S. cities get it and have launched practical initiatives to become more age-friendly. They include New York City, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, West Sacramento, Calif., Louisville, Kansas City, Mo., Washington, D.C., Chicago and Tampa, Fla.

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February 2020 Newsletter for CRTS™

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

Caregivers: How to manage a loved one’s money

The number of retirees is on the rise. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau points out that, by 2030, there will be 81.2 million Americans over age 65, and many of them will need help taking care of themselves.

Caregiving is a big responsibility. One crucial role caregivers may take on involves managing a loved one’s finances. AARP states that acting as a money manager becomes especially important if a loved one begins having trouble keeping a checkbook or becomes confused about money.

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Use “The Minimalists’” 90/90 Rule to Help You Declutter

No matter how much you want to live more simply, it can be hard to part with your things. First of all, if you have a lot of stuff, where do you even begin? And what if you need these things again for some unforeseen hypothetical situation in the future? Will you be kicking yourself for throwing them out now?

One simple system might help you sort it out: the 90/90 rule from Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, the duo behind The Minimalists.

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A Shortage Of Paid Caregivers Is Raising The Cost Of Home Care

The growing shortage of paid caregivers has become increasingly apparent over the past several months. Now, we are seeing evidence of the most direct consequence of that scarcity: The cost of care, especially for those living at home, is rising faster than it has in years.

According to the newly released Genworth cost of care survey, the cost of homemaking services, such as cooking and cleaning, increased by 7.14 percent over the past year.

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December 2019 Newsletter for CRTS™

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

How Medicaid Spend Down Helps Seniors Qualify for Long Term Care Benefits

Chances are if you’re finding long-term care for a senior, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with Medicaid, a government-funded health insurance program that’s the number one source of payment for long-term care.

Each state’s Medicaid program has specific eligibility requirements to be able to qualify for long-term care coverage, but the general rule is that an applicant can have no more than $2,000 in assets.

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Mike Holmes: A guide to putting your house on the market

Eventually, after a few years, or a few decades — our homes are going to change ownership. Some homeowners might only do this once, while others may find themselves going through the buy-sell cycle a few times before they settle into a “forever home.” When it’s time to say goodbye to your current home, how can you make the process go smoothly for you and the new owners? Here’s how you sell it right.

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Hoarding is a serious disorder — and it’s only getting worse in the U.S.

Sandy Stark always loved pretty things. When she was a girl, she collected unusual rocks, birds’ nests, crooked sticks and dolls. As an adult, she gravitated to white ceramics and china, paperweights, kitchenware and art. Year by year, the treasures accumulated until the only way she could navigate her San Francisco apartment was through a narrow line of what she called “goat paths.”

That was when her two grown daughters swooped in and cleaned the place out. All her treasures, gone. On reentering her house, seeing it so sterile, so empty, Stark, now 71, says she felt traumatized. Almost immediately, she began reacquiring things — with a vengeance.

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