A new report by renowned gerontologist Ken Dychtwald Ph.D. challenges the popular myth that ones current home is the best option to continue an active social life and stay connected during post retirement years.

The reality is that that remaining in your home can result in growing isolation and loneliness in later life, said Dychtwald, psychologist, gerontologist, best-selling author and CEO of Age Wave. Senior living options, like a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), offer opportunities to create new friendships and social connections.

Titled Five Myths and Realities of Continuing Care Retirement Communities, Age Waves report and supporting research were commissioned by Vi, a developer, owner and operator of older adult living communities. The document is available in its entirety at Vi Living.

According to the report, friendships and close social connections are an essential source of happiness, and people age 60 and over are most likely to cite living family and friends as extremely important to their happiness more important than money or even health.

Yet, the report says, it is not uncommon for people who stay in their current home during post retirement to find that their friends and family move away, and many can feel increasingly lonely or isolated in their current home. Studies show that having low social interaction is as bad for your health as smoking fifteen cigarettes a day, is as dangerous as being an alcoholic, is as harmful as never exercising, and is twice as dangerous as obesity.

According to the report, residents of CCRCs say that it is the opportunity to meet, learn from, and engage in new activities with positive, stimulating, like-minded people that can make life brighter and fuller.

Said one interviewee in the report: The No. 1 benefit is that youre surrounded by successful, interesting people. You have a pretty good chance of finding people who may make an impact on your life.

In addition, the report said, residents often describe the staff as an extended family, which, together with visits from family and opportunities to meet family members of other residents, helps to create a dynamic, multigenerational social environment.

CCRCs offer independent living with a combination of a private residence, services, amenities and care (for example, assisted living, memory support care and skilled nursing care).

About Vi

Vi, formerly Classic Residence by Hyatt, was founded in 1987 as a developer, owner and operator of older adult living communities. The company is dedicated to enriching the lives of older adults by providing high quality environments, services and care. Vi currently operates ten continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) and one rental community under a family of brands nationwide. For more information about Vi communities, visit Vi Living.

About Age Wave

Founded in 1986, Age Wave is the nations foremost thought leader on population aging and its business, social, healthcare, financial, workforce and cultural implications. Under the leadership of Founder/CEO Dr. Ken Dychtwald, Age Wave has developed a unique understanding of the body, mind, hopes and demands of new generations of maturing consumers and workers and their expectations, attitudes, hopes, and fears regarding retirement.

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Jim Hitt, CEO of American IRA-A National Provider of Self-Directed IRAs, says “Things are pretty spooky. The United States, fresh from a downgrade on its bonds, was unable to come to an agreement to cut the ballooning deficit. Meanwhile, the European Union is teetering on the edge of collapse because of its own inability to get its fiscal and monetary house in order. And Iran is building nukes and inviting a military response that could disrupt the flow of oil from the Persian Gulf.

With all this negativity it is encouraging to see that young people still believe in the American Dream and why shouldn’t they?! It’s within reach especially with the right tools at their disposal-Self Directed IRAs are an important part of that tool box.”

Successful gold investors feel that gold is the perfect hedge against chaotic times. When economies zig, gold zags. The value of gold, priced in dollars, tends to rise under conditions like these:

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Ken Dychtwald Ph.D., today challenged five prevailing myths and misperceptions about the senior living concept known as the continuing care retirement community, or CCRC. Dychtwald, psychologist, gerontologist, best-selling author, and CEO of Age Wave, expressed his comments in a new report presented today at Vi at Silverstone, a Vi and Plaza Companies Community.

There are prevailing myths and misperceptions about CCRCs which do not match todays realities, and which can sometimes complicate or mislead decision-making, according to Dychtwald. As a result, people planning for retirement may be missing out on one of the better options available in senior living today.

Dychtwald said, It is the reasons for and psychology behind these myths that can be the most revealing. Some of these myths arise from memories and images of old-fashioned retirement homes our parents or grandparents may have lived in. Others are grounded in deeper concerns we may have regarding how to best optimize our health and independence in later life.

Titled Five Myths and Realities of Continuing Care Retirement Communities, Age Waves report and supporting research were commissioned by Vi, a developer, owner and operator of older adult living communities. The document is available in its entirety at http://www.ViLiving.com.

Meg Ostrom, Vis senior vice president and project director, said the purpose behind the research that went into the report is to help those looking at retirement choices to better understand the psychology that is often behind the misperceptions, and the reality, of todays CCRC offerings.

Today, deciding to move to a CCRC is typically a pro-active decision to have an active, fulfilling lifestyle while at the same time preparing for future care needs, Ostrom said. This is not a reactive move triggered or forced by poor health or other event.

According to Dychtwald, the research uncovered five major myths:

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Senior planning Services: Medicaid Made Simple

Howell, NJ (Vocus/PRWEB) February 01, 2011

Senior Planning Services, a social service firm based in Howell New Jersey, has effected positive change for seniors who are in need of Medicaid benefits in New Jersey.

Prior to the existence of Senior Planning Services, the burden of applying for Medicaid would fall squarely on the shoulders of seniors and their families. Due to the complexities involved in the application process, applying for Medicaid has often been met with failure and frustration.

Among other things, obtaining Medicaid eligibility requires the presentation of various documents. Some examples of documents that may be required by Medicaid include; birth certificate, proof of marital status and five years of all financial statements.

It is no wonder that the prospect of applying for Medicaid can be overwhelming to senior citizens and their families who may already struggling with the stress associated with caring for their loved one. The added anxiety associated with Medicaid has been a bane to contend with for seniors and their families.

When applying for Medicaid, there are often questions that seniors and their families need to have answered. Since every situation is unique, there are countless different Medicaid related scenarios that need to be handled correctly to ensure the best possible outcome. Medicaid expertise is required to navigate the intricate nuance that each scenario presents.

Senior Planning Services, a social service firm in Howell New Jersey has recognized and addressed all of the issues outlined above. They have pioneered their breakthrough Medicaid application program. Now, the entire undertaking associated with applying for Medicaid can be placed on Senior Planning Services shoulders. Their expert caseworkers will do all the work in place of the applicant. They will fill out the forms, they will gather all relevant documentation and they will travel to the Medicaid office for a face to face interview on behalf of their clients. Senior Planning Services will ensure that the Medicaid “spend down” is done correctly.

In order to facilitate maximum convenience, Senior Planning Services will even consult with applicants in their homes. In short Senior Planning Services has effectively changed the Medicaid application experience. What was once stressful can now be easy.

Senior Planning Services does free Medicaid consulting. They take pride in helping the community by answering all Medicaid questions that people may have. For help with your NJ Medicaid application, call Senior Planning Services at (732) 961 – 8430. Visit them online at http://www.Senior-Planning.com .

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Social Security Network

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The UK government has implemented many schemes with a view to making everyday life easier and more accessible for people living with a disability.

One such scheme is the Disabled Facilities Grant, which is a local council grant to help you with the cost of adapting your home to suit your physical needs. The emphasis is on making your home a safe and comfortable place to live; to enable you to continue living there, rather than having to move to a specialised facility. The grant is paid out after an assessment and the changes are deemed reasonable and practical. You are able to claim if you or the person who you are applying for is either the owner or tenant of the property; you also need to certify that you will be occupying the property as your only or main residence for the grant period, which is currently five years. These grants are only available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scottish residents should contact the Social Services department.

Common uses of the grant include widening doors, installing ramps, providing a downstairs bathroom, installing a chairlift and adapting heating and lighting controls. Your needs will be assessed by an occupational therapist. A Disabled Facilities Grant will not affect any other benefits you are receiving.

The Motability Scheme allows disabled people to lease or buy a car, powered wheelchair or scooter through government funded allowances. You do not even have to drive yourself as you can apply for a car as a passenger whilst naming two other drivers. An approved dealer can lease you a car for at least three years. Also included in the package are servicing, insurance and breakdown cover. The car can also be adapted to suit your needs but contributions from yourself may be necessary. You may apply for a car on behalf of a child aged three or over who is in receipt of the higher rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance.

The Blue Badge Scheme is a service, which allows holders of the badge with severe mobility problems to park close to their destination. It only applies to on street parking and badge holders can park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours. This applies as long as there are no bans on loading or unloading in the area. In Scotland there is no time limit in place for parking on yellow lines. Blue Badge holders are also able to park for free at pay and display machines and on street parking meters. Local councils issue the Blue Badge and some people may need to undergo an assessment to see if they are entitled to have one. Others such as people who are registered blind, receive a War Pensioner’s Mobility supplement or receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance do not need to undergo an assessment.

The Warm Front Scheme provides insulation and heating improvements for your home up to the value of £3500 or £6000 if oil, low carbon or renewable technologies have been recommended. Eligibility is granted if the householder is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or War Disablement Pension that should include a mobility supplement or constant attendance allowance. The term ‘householder’ also includes the applicant’s spouse or partner.

A new scheme to start in October 2010 is Work Choice, a disability back to work scheme. The scheme was brought in under the previous Labour Government and has been designed to provide extra support for disabled people who are far removed from accessing the labour market. It aims to help severely disabled people overcome obstacles to gaining and keeping jobs. It replaces three existing schemes, including Workstep.

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Social Security Reports, News and Informaion

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Medicaid and Medicare

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Fight to Keep Your Physician

Social Security Reports, News and Informaion

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Some changes are being brought about in Medicare supplement insurance and will come into effect on the 1st of June, 2010. No changes had been made in them since the year 1992. Companies are already releasing the rates of evolved, changed plans. The new plans are Plan M and Plan N. They provide fewer benefits for fewer costs as compared to other expensive policies. The hitch here is that since the benefits are less you will have to prove to be eligible medically in case you want to go for a better plan later. In the changed scenario of Medical supplement insurance Plan J is being phased out completely while Plan G is being changed. Plan B will be similar to Plan F as its Excess charges are increasing by 100%.

You can avail of various insurance plans online. You can find for yourself the best Medical supplement insurance that suits your needs and sign up for it. You get to compare the rates as well as benefits of the various insurance plans on offer sitting in the confines of your house or office. You will save time as well as gain knowledge on insurance without speaking or consulting anyone. No one will be able to influence your decision. It is speculated that in a couple of years the rates of Medical supplement insurance will shoot up irrespective of the companies and places. This is because of a large number of people opting for these plans. These people are not necessarily in the pink of health and might have lost their Advantage policies. A lot of employer group insurance members are going for Medical supplement insurance as their companies have terminated benefits of retiree health. The Medical supplement insurance companies are also evolving in reaction to the change in the economy and the world of finance.

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