Virginia Medicaid Asset Protection Attorney: "9 Tips to a Healthy Aging Process"

Physically, Mentally, and Financially

September 10, 2012

The month of September brings a welcome relief from the hot summer days. Cool breezes and colorful foliage appearing on the trees entice one to walk and bask in healthy fresh air.

September has also been designated as “Healthy Aging Month” with encouragement to seniors to renew their attitudes towards better eating, exercise, and mental stability. With the nation's senior population growing there is more focus on programs to help seniors remain healthy and active as they age physically, mentally and emotionally.

The Farr Law Firm is a Fairfax Estate Planning firm.  It also is very well known for elder law services, including Medicaid Asset Protection.  When seniors take care of their long-term planning and "get it out of the way," some level of stress is usually eliminated.

WebMD's online magazine's feature article by Matt McMillen focuses on the "September National Theme" with “tips to stay at your peak!"

1. Get moving
Exercise regularly to maintain a healthy body and brain.

2. Stay social
Take a class, volunteer, play games, see old friends, and make new ones.

3. Bulk up
Eat beans and other high-fiber foods for digestive and heart health.

4. Add some spice
Add herbs and spices to your meals if medications dull your taste buds.

5. Stay balanced
Practice yoga or tai chi to improve agility and prevent falls.  Here is a great starting point for yoga beginners, yoga for seniors.

6. Take a hike
Brisk daily walks this September can bolster both your heart and lungs.

7. Sleep well
Talk to a sleep specialist if you don’t sleep soundly through the night.

8. Beat the blues
If you’ve been down for a while, see a doctor. Depression can be treated.

9. Don’t forget
To aid your memory, make lists, follow routines, slow down, and organize

Opportunities for seniors to use their work experience and talents in volunteer work benefit not only them but their communities as well.  Many seniors take educational courses to improve their minds and seek out opportunities to use this new-found knowledge in productive ways.  In another direction, senior sport programs have been developed that encourage those who miss their days on the basketball court or playing other sports to take it up again. The National Senior Games Associations sponsors a competitive Senior Olympics.

There is no limit to what a healthy attitude can accomplish.

100-year-old Virginia, who suffers from glaucoma, received her first computer, an iPad. With the zoomable screen it is ideal for her to read books (she's read 2 already) and write limericks (she's composed 12).

An article this month on the Mayo Clinic website titled “Healthy Retirement” states that:

“Most adults spend years looking forward to a healthy retirement. Whether you're still planning your retirement or you're ready to make the change, there's much you can do to ensure a healthy retirement.

Start by learning what to expect as you get older, from changes in muscle mass and sex drive to vision and cardiovascular health. After all, your dreams for a healthy retirement likely depend on good health. Then consider ways to maintain a healthy retirement, from reducing your risk of falls and staying safe behind the wheel to improving your memory.

Another important aspect of healthy retirement is long term care. Consider your options now — including type of long term care, as well as how to pay for it — to help prevent hasty decisions later.“

A new population of seniors and those nearing senior status are looking for some type of financial support to maintain their quality of life and pay for eldercare during their final years of life. The need for some form of long term care will happen to 3 out of every 5 people. Paying for this care can be devastating for those who are not prepared.

Planning for the final years of life by dovetailing government programs, with your assets and other funding sources is a vital, yet complicated necessity. The National Care Planning Council's “Life Resource Planning System” relieves some of this burden by providing recommendations pertaining to any or all of the items below that may be important to your living out the rest of your life in dignity.

• Identify government income and care support programs
• Protect and preserve assets
• Facilitate favorable outcomes for health, medical issues and final preparations
• Maximize family and community support
• Find the right living arrangements

Healthy aging – physically, mentally and financially – is a definite “can do” with all the resources available to seniors and a little planning for the future.

Evan H. Farr on Google +

It’s the Big Day! “Protect and Defend!” is FINALLY Here! Get your Bonuses TODAY!

Today is the big day!  Evan Farr's new book -- “Protect and Defend” -- is available NOW!
“Protect and Defend” is the book that Evan been working on for the past 8 months along with several of America’s other leading attorneys.

This new book delivers to you practical advice based on combined years of top-level experience. In each chapter, you'll get exclusive access to our expertise on a number of issues, as we tackle some of today's most crucial legal issues -- issues that affect all of us every day.

You absolutely need to know how to put the law on your side whether you're facing an immediate emergency or looking for long-term solutions.

“Protect and Defend” brings you proven strategies to help you do just that, before it's too late.

Just for purchasing the book today, and helping us get this book launch off to a great start, Evan and the other authors have put together a huge bonus package for you full of thousands of dollars worth of bonuses:  Click here to check out the bonuses!

And here at long last is the link to purchase “Protect and Defend” for just $19.95:

Click Here to Buy the Book Now!!!

And you’ll get thousands of dollars of bonuses, just for spending twenty bucks! BUT REMEMBER YOU MUST BUY THE BOOK AT AMAZON.COM TODAY IN ORDER TO ALSO RECEIVE THE FREE BONUSES!

Click Here to Buy the Book Now!!!



To claim your free bonuses, once you buy the book, just email your Amazon.com receipt to: bonus@celebritypresspublishing.com
and they'll send the bonuses right over to you! Evan H. Farr on Google +

Protecting Yourself From Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease is a frightening disease that affects about five-and-a-half million Americans. Although some memory loss is expected with increasing age, stress and inactivity, sever memory loss is a cause of concern. Alzheimer's affects the parts of the brain that are associated with thinking, memory and behavior. Alzheimer's disease is caused by an excessive build-up of amyloid and tau proteins in the brain. Symptoms include, but are not limited to, memory loss, repeatedly misplacing things, difficulty with familiar tasks, peculiar behavior and personality changes, altered judgment, language problems, and difficulty with spatial relationships of objects. The risk factors of Alzheimer's disease include age, family history, genetics, high blood pressure and high LDL cholesterol.

The good news is that doctors, scientists, and nutritionists are finding more and more ways to try to protect yourself and your loved ones from Alzheimer's disease. One way is to maintain mental activity through education and thought-provoking activities (scrabble, logic-based card games, discussions, etc.) and physical activity. In addition, there is some evidence that Alzheimer's can be slowed by taking 2,000 IU of Vitamin E daily, along with 120 to 240 mg of Ginkgo biloba and 1,500 mg of acetyl-L-carnitine. A diet that includes more fish and less animal fat has been shown to decrease the risk of Alzheimer's disease as well, so break out those wild salmon filets you've been waiting to grill. It's time to treat your palate to something delightful and fight a fatal disease at the same time.

Sources: The Cleveland Clinic © 1995-2012. Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Overview. http://my.clevelandclinic.org/. The Vitamin Shoppe © 2012. Alzheimer’s Disease. http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/ Evan H. Farr on Google +

Probate Tips for Getting Through the Process Faster and with Less Hassle

Probate Tips for Getting Through the Process Faster and with Less Hassle 

Probate lawyers are well aware of the hassles and headaches that families face when a loved one’s estate goes into probate.  Not only might a family have struggled to make ends meet due to the inability to afford long-term care insurance, but the process can drag out, eating up not just time but also resources that would have otherwise gone to beneficiaries.  Appointed executors find themselves with burdensome responsibilities that can compound their grief.  In order to navigate the process as quickly and smoothly as possible, probate lawyers recommend you keep the following in mind:

Probate Tip #1:  Hire an Experienced Probate Attorney

It may be tempting to navigate probate alone, but a good probate lawyer will be able to make the entire process more efficient.  The attorney’s expertise will guide you steadily in the right direction and keep you on track for closing probate as quickly as possible.

Probate Tip #2:  Notify Creditors Quickly

Part of the probate process is making creditors aware of the death.  As long as the probate is open, creditors can come looking for payment, which can significantly slow down process.  Instead, it is better to get everything lined up as quickly as possible to be able to move on to the next phase.

Probate Tip #3:  Get an Appraised Inventory

As the executor works with the estate, he or she should be creating an inventory of its assets and getting appraisals when appropriate, whether on personal effects, real estate, or other assets.  The courts may need to be involved with the process, so discuss it with your probate lawyer.

Probate Tip #4:  Don’t Miss Deadlines

There are specific deadlines set for when documents need to be filed.  Missing these deadlines will lead to the need for more court appearances (i.e. time, hassle and more money), as well as keeping probate open—and the estate vulnerable—for that much longer.

Evan H. Farr on Google +

Potassium Concerns in the Elderly

Having sufficient nutrients in the body is a general goal for everyone. It doesn't necessarily take great effort to achieve this goal. If you simply follow a diet rich in vitamins and minerals, you should be healthy. However, taking medication, genetics, and age can cause you to become vitamin or mineral deficient. Potassium is one such mineral that the elderly or those individuals who care for them should be aware.

Potassium is a mineral that, in combination with sodium and calcium, maintains normal heart rhythm, regulates the body's water balance, and is responsible for the conduction of nerve impulses and the contraction of muscles. The body of an average-sized person contains about 5 ounces (140 g) of potassium. Blood levels of the mineral are controlled by the kidneys, which eliminate any excess in the urine.

Potassium deficiency is rare because almost all foods contain potassium. The best sources of potassium include lean meat, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, beans, and many fruits (especially bananas and oranges). A diet that includes these foods is sufficient for obtaining adequate amounts of potassium.

Since potassium sources are so abundant, for most people potassium deficiency is not a concern. The elderly, however, are at a greater risk for potassium deficiency. The main reason the elderly should be concerned about sufficient deficiency is because their kidneys and other organs tend not to function as well. This results in the system not being able to absorb and regulate the amount of potassium in the body.

In addition, medications prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure are less effective with elderly. High blood pressure can lead to serious health conditions, including diabetes and heart disease. So, the elderly who are prescribed blood pressure reducing medications with little success may want to discuss potassium supplementation with their doctor.

The main symptoms of potassium deficiency are irregular heart rate, gastrointestinal problems, muscle weakness and abnormal skin sensations, such as numbness. To detect potassium deficiency a doctor tests the patient's blood levels for the presence of potassium. If less than 5.6 grams of potassium are present the individual is determined to have a potassium deficiency.

To check out the supplement we take daily and highly recommend, be sure to check out this resource.


Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Evan H. Farr on Google +

Massage Therapy for Senior Citizens

Massage therapy can offer senior citizens a number of benefits that will greatly improve their sense of health and wellbeing.  As the population continues to age, it is important to consider ways that we can work to improve the lives of those affected by the passing of time.

 A number of studies have shown that massage therapy can have a direct impact in managing the effects of aging.  It has also shown promise in bringing comfort to those suffering from arthritis and other physical ailments.

As people age, they naturally become less active.  This lack of physical activity can lead to the onset of other conditions which, if not dealt with, can greatly reduce their quality of life.  The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) has been promoting the use of massage therapy for some time now.  According to a recent study, there is a general awareness of massage therapy but a lack of understanding of its direct benefits.

In the case of senior citizens, there are a number of benefits that be derived from therapeutic massage.  According to the Touch Research Institute, it is extremely useful in the treatment of Alzheimer's patients, as it can facilitate relaxation and communication.  In the case of arthritis sufferers, it can greatly assist in pain management and help increase range of motion.  It also triggers natural joint lubrication, which is extremely important for those suffering from arthritis.

Massage therapy has also shown promise by helping to increase strength and muscle coordination, similar to the benefits of yoga for seniors. It can also greatly improve one's posture by reducing muscle tension, which has the added benefit of assisting seniors with a higher quality of rest.  Massage has also been known to boost one's natural energy levels, along with their mental awareness.  Study after study has shown that there is a place for massage therapy within the health care community.

More and more people are becoming aware of the benefits of massage therapy, even diabetics.  In an age where the common approach to pain management has been dominated by the interests of the pharmaceutical industry, massage therapy has shown to be an effective and natural solution to the ailments associated with process of aging.  If you or a loved one are interested in learning more about the benefits of therapeutic massage, please visit this page: massages for diabetics.

Image: imagerymajestic / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image: satit_srihin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Evan H. Farr on Google +

Making the Nursing Home Choice

While placing a loved one in a nursing home is a difficult decision, there may come a time when it is the right one. It will help if you do your homework and trust your instincts.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the nation’s nursing homes provide care to over 1.5 million people. Over 90% of these residents are over age 65. Most of the residents are frail and require round-the-clock supervision due to dementia.

Things You Need to Know

A nursing home is a residence that provides room, meals, nursing and rehabilitative care, medical services and protective supervision to its residents. While someone coming from the hospital may require the services of many long-term care professionals such as nurses, therapists and social workers, a nursing home is not a hospital (acute care) setting. The goal at a nursing home is to help people maintain as much of their independent functioning as possible in a supportive environment.

Choosing a Facility

One of the first things to consider when making a nursing home choice is the needs of the individual for whom you’re providing care, suggest experts at the MetLife Mature Market Institute®. Make a list of the special care they need, such as dementia care or various types of therapy.

If the person is hospitalized, the discharge planner and/or social workers can assist you in assessing the needs of the individual and locating the appropriate facility.

If you are choosing a nursing facility for someone who is presently at home, ask for referrals from your physician, Area Agency on Aging, friends, and family.

Other factors such as location, cost, the quality of care, services, size, religious and cultural preferences, and accommodations for special care need to be considered.

When you’ve located a few facilities that you’d like to consider more thoroughly, plan on visiting each one, both with scheduled and unscheduled visits, and at different times and on different days of the week.

As you are walking around, take note of what you hear and don’t hear. Is it silent? Is there activity? How clean does it look? Are the residents dressed appropriately for the season? Most importantly, find out the ratio of nurses to residents is and what is the staff turnover rate?

Helpful Hints

When you’ve finally decided on a facility, you should know your rights and those of your family member. Before you or the resident sign the admissions agreement, understand what you’re signing, and do not sign any paperwork unless everything has been fully explained.

The admissions contract should, at a minimum, contain the daily room rate, reasons for discharge and transfer from the nursing home, and the policy regarding payment of the daily room rate if the resident goes to the hospital or the family brings the resident home for a short period of time.

You may question if you’re really making the right decision to place your loved one in a facility at all. Remember, you can do no more than your best, and if you’ve done that, neither you nor your family member can ask any more of you.



Image: renjith krishnan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Evan H. Farr on Google +