Dec10 by RI ARA

“Fighting for the future of our members.” “NOW, more than ever!!!”

December 10, 2017 E-Newsletter

Publication 2017/ Issue 49 Published in house by the RI ARA

Rhode Island Congressional Delegation Fighting For Their Constituent’s, Again! Statements concerning the Trump Tax Scam Senator Reed Statement on Republican Tax Bill WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed issued the following statement: “This trickle-down tax plan is a disaster for the middle-class and threatens America’s long-term economic security. It irresponsibly cuts benefits for students, seniors, working parents, and many others and is designed to put Medicare and Social Security on the chopping block. “I support responsible investments in repairing our infrastructure and educating Americans. Tax cuts that spur real job Senator growth and increase take-home pay should be part of any package to help the middle-class. But I oppose this stunning Reed transfer of wealth from taxpayers to millionaires. In fact, the non-partisan CBO shows that by 2027, people making $40,000 to $50,000 will see their taxes go up by $5.3 billion more in taxes, while those in the $1 million and up category would get a $5.8 billion cut. And the Joint Committee on Taxation, which serves as another non-partisan government budget referee, concluded that President Trump’s plan will balloon the federal budget deficit over $1 trillion in the next decade. “Congress should work together to responsibly cut taxes for working families, restore our infrastructure, invest in the middle-class, and help small businesses grow. Instead, Republicans are using a closed process to benefit multi-national corporations and mega-donors at the expense of hardworking Americans. “I encourage Americans everywhere to look at the facts and let Congress know what you think of this bill. Republicans are sadly prioritizing corporations over people. People need to speak up before it is too late. I suspect President Trump will try and claim this bill as a win for regular Americans, but the truth and the math are not on the President’s side.” Senator Whitehouse Statement on Senate Passage of TrumpTax Washington, DC – Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement on the passage of Republicans’ tax proposal: “TrumpTax is a scam. Tonight, while most Americans were sleeping, Senate Republicans voted to hike taxes on millions of middle-class families to pay for tax cuts for President Trump and his billionaire friends. This so-called ‘tax reform’ moves our nation in the wrong direction by every measure: it will send more American jobs overseas, increase health insurance premiums, explode our national debt, and pollute an already-complicated tax code with new loopholes and gifts for the very wealthy. It’s a giveaway to Republican donors, and the American people should take note.”

Congressman Langevin

Senator Whitehouse

From Congressman Langevin on Trump Tax Plan: Republicans rushed to pass the Senate bill in the dead of night with no time for review or input,” said Congressman Langevin. “The legislation is skewed toward the wealthy at the expense of low- and middle- income families. It will threaten the health coverage of millions and give a generous holiday handout to corporate America, all while blowing a massive hole in the federal deficit. Americans deserve true, bipartisan tax reform, not this lump of coal. Congress has a responsibility to create an equitable tax system that responsibly funds vital government programs and contributes to the economic growth of all Americans. This bill takes us in the wrong direction."

From Congressman Cicilline on Trump Tax Plan: Last night, Senate Republicans doubled down on this disastrous GOP tax scam. They voted to raise taxes on tens of millions of middle-class families, blow a $1 trillion hole in the deficit and slash investments in health care, education and infrastructure just to give the wealthiest Americans and corporations a massive tax cut." "This bill directly undermines our ability to support elderly Americans. It puts $25 billion for Medicare at direct risk and will force massive cuts in Medicaid. We have a responsibility to give our seniors the opportunity to retire with dignity. Congressman This legislation does the opposite." Cicilline "The men and women who built this country deserve better than to see the benefits they have earned turned over to billionaires and corporations who are already doing fine." "We should be putting working families and seniors first. When this bill comes back to the House, I will do everything I can to see it defeated." Rhode Island Alliance for Retired Americans, Inc. • 94 Cleveland Street • North Providence, RI • 02904-3525 • 401-480-8381 riarajap@hotmail.com • http://www.facebook.com/groups/354516807278/

The Ultimate Guide to Senior Finance: Fiscal Fitness for The Over Fifty Crowd Sections in The Ultimate Guide to Senior Finance: 1. Benefits and Social Security 2. Budgeting and Saving 3. Consumer Protection 4. Health Care Costs 5. Different Types of Insurances 6. Taxes and Tax Planning 7. Mortgage Strategies 8. Wills and Trusts 9. Other Financial Resources Benefits and Social Security Social Security was designed as a “safety net” of sorts. Aside from your personal savings, and an employer pension, Social Security provides you with the money you’ll need during your retirement. This benefit plan reaches

nearly every family in America and is a significant source of income for many seniors. There are about 38 million people who rely on Social Security for at least part of their income, and this number continues to grow as more and more people retire. Understanding how your benefits work will allow you to make the most of it. More Than Retirement The most popular view of Social Security is that it is merely retirement income. However, there are actually several types of benefits paid out under the Social Security plan. The program pays benefits for the disabled, pays money to a spouse or child of someone who receives benefits, pays money to a

spouse or child of a worker to died, or pays money to a dependent parent of a worker who died. Because Social Security provides more than just retirement income, you may be eligible for Social Security prior to retirement, depending on your circumstances.,,,Read More

Older Adults: 4 Things to Consider When Care Planning Caregivers need to educate themselves in order to make the best decisions for

such as regular physical activity and dieting, can be taken to reduce the chances of an Alzheimer's diagnosis. Education Health care education is key when navigating the health care system for yourself or a loved one. Literature suggests their loved ones. that doctors, nurses and other health As a clinical social worker and care professionals are falling short when learning coordinator at Montefiore Health System's about the health care needs for older Center for the Aging Brain, I've learned that Americans. It's impor tant that we infor m older adults face similar barriers when it elderly patients of all treatment options and comes to navigating health care. Many remind them that there are clinicians who predict that by the year 2030, the amount of are dedicated to meeting their specific older American's will double and account needs. Many of my patients first learn of for a significant amount of our population. specialties like geriatric medicine after a As this population continues to grow, it's visit at our center. Navigating a health care important that caregivers are aware of some system should not become a game of chess. common issues faced by older adults to Rather, it should allow individuals the ensure their loved ones receive the best opportunity to make educated and informed care. Here are things to consider when decisions about their health care. planning for care. Finances Pooled trust? Medicaid? Medicare? Home Alzheimer's Disease According to the Alzheimer's care? Nursing home? Assisted living? Association's 2017 Facts and Figures, 37 Understanding the ins and outs about topics percent of our population ages 85 and over related to finances cannot be covered easily, will be diagnosed with Alzheimer's; 17 but planting a seed on the importance of percent of those ages 65 to 74 and 1 in 10 reviewing where you or your loved one people over age 65 will also receive this stands financially is. Along with education diagnosis. Alzheimer's disease is a health on how these resources differ, it's important crisis that is not only affecting older that families address financial matters early American's emotionally but also causing a instead of waiting until an emergency. A financial crisis. Associated costs are common myth heard by many patients and climbing into the billions for both patients caregivers is that Medicare will cover and their caregivers. Although there's not a "everything." Many people are unaware that cure for the disease, preventive measures, Medicare does not pay for assisted living or

many other long-term residential care settings. As a clinician in the Bronx, I make the best effort to educate my patients and their families on the resources available to them. For example, I share articles about pooled trust and provide a way to address concerns about having "too much money." Such conversations should be frequent when caring for an older adult, and they should happen before the age of 65. Isolation Isolation is a growing concern not only for older Americans, but all Americans. To address this reality, adult social centers are popping up in neighborhoods across the county. Not only are social needs met at these centers, but they assist older adults with activities of daily living, such as cleaning, cooking and personal care. Yet, this seemingly forced socialization is a hard sell, especially for those older adults who aren't typically social butterflies. Similarly, assisted living residences are a great cure for isolation, allowing older adults to build a community of peers and form new bonds through regular planned activities. As the population of older adults continues to increase, it's important that caregivers take the opportunity to educate themselves to make the best decisions to meet the needs of their loved ones. Take the initiative to address these matters in advance to help your loved one age independently.

Rhode Island Alliance for Retired Americans, Inc. • 94 Cleveland Street • North Providence, RI • 02904-3525 • 401-480-8381 riarajap@hotmail.com • http://www.facebook.com/groups/354516807278/

A Guide to Downsizing for Seniors and Their Loved Ones There are all kinds of benefits to downsizing in your golden years — lower energy bills, a smaller space to clean and maintain, and the potential of moving closer to loved ones are just a few. It’s a wonderful way to open the door to the next stage of your life. Even so, downsizing can be a difficult and sometimes painful experience for seniors. Saying goodbye to the home they’ve raised a family in doesn’t come easily, even if it’s the right choice from a logical standpoint. This guide is designed to make the downsizing process as simple as possible for seniors and their loved ones. It will help prepare both house and senior for the transition, as well as offer advice to loved ones on the duties they can help perform. Keep the lines of communication open, take it one step at a time, and don’t rush into anything before you’re ready. Step One: Determine Where the Senior is Going It’s important to establish exactly where the senior is headed. Not only will it affect just how much they should (or must) downsize, it adds an exciting element to the process: instead of focusing on leaving their old home behind, a downsizing senior can look forward to their new home. Of course, where the senior goes will depend on any number of factors. Mobility and ability restrictions, caregiving needs, location of loved ones, and budget will all play a role. The senior’s preferences are also crucial to the

equation, and should be taken into consideration at each step. There will likely need to be compromises, especially if budget concerns are an issue, so be prepared to have multiple conversations to work out all the details. Keep in mind that the arrangements can look just about any way you want them to — many retirement communities and assisted living facilities offer personalized options to meet any need or comfort — so it’s important to make sure everyone feels comfortable with them. There are five main options for downsizing seniors:  Buying a smaller house or condo  Renting a smaller home  Moving in with a loved one (adult child, sibling, etc.)  Moving into a retirement community  Entering assisted living The sooner you discuss what downsizing will actually look like, the more time everyone will have to evaluate all of the options. Don’t force the conversation if the senior seems resistant to the idea; unless your loved one has had

a recent medical or care-giving issue that could hinder their quality of life, there’s no need to rush into talking about it. Bring the topic up again at a later date, potentially with additional support from family or friends. It shouldn’t feel like an intervention or anyone trying to make decisions for the senior, but a group of loved ones who genuinely want to help figure out a positive solution to their living situation. Step Two: Declutter It’s amazing the number of things you can acquire over the course of a lifetime. From an endless array of dishes to closets full of linens to the many mementos and knickknacks of a life well-lived, addressing these items quickly feels overwhelming for seniors and their loved ones. It’s also an incredibly emotional process for the senior involved. These aren’t just objects, they’re memories; they’re what’s made the house a home for all these years. Whether it’s you or a loved one downsizing, it’s important to acknowledge and respect this loss. Go into the process prepared to part with plenty, but giving yourself room to keep the items that mean most. The most straightforward way to sort through items is to ask yourself four questions about the item:  Do I need it or want it?  Does it have sentimental value?  Do I use it often?  Do I have another item that performs the same function?...Read More

Why Retirement Makes Seniors Frugal (and Why That May Be a Problem) Most seniors aren't living large in retirement. However, that's not necessarily because they lack the money to do so. "Those who have higher incomes are generally living too frugally," says Matt Fellowes, founder and CEO of United Income. Seniors trim an average of 2.5 percent off their spending each year, according to a white paper he drafted examining data from the government and University of Michigan. Meanwhile, estate values grew 130 percent between 2000-2002 and 2010-2012.

While it may seem as though there can be no harm in living frugally, Fellowes and other finance experts say both seniors and the economy can suffer when spending declines. Shift of income in retirement. For workers who have earned a paycheck for decades, the shift to using income from retirement accounts can be difficult. "When people start paying themselves, they get scared," says Dolph Janis, founder and owner of Clear Income Strategies Group in Charlotte, North Carolina.

After spending a lifetime saving money, it can feel unsettling to begin pulling cash from accounts that were previously off-limits. "It's a psychological issue," says Nancy Skeans, CEO of Schneider Downs Wealth Management Advisors in Pittsburgh. It's something even her more affluent clients experience. "They are really apprehensive about spending $30,000 or $40,000 for a new car," she says, even when they can clearly afford it….Read More

RI ARA HealthLink Wellness News

8 Ways For Seniors To Stay Active This Holiday Season Staying healthy can be a challenge during the holiday season, when diet and exercise often take a backseat to the more festive tasks of shopping and eating. But there are things you can do to make sure you enjoy all the season has to offer without sacrificing your health. Here are 8 tips to help you or the senior in your life stay healthy and active this month! 1.Plan AheadFr om r ich meals to tempting and tasty homemade snacks, the holidays are a time for many to overindulge. Try to plan meals with other events in mind. For example, if a big dinner is planned, consider serving a lighter lunch of salad or soup. You don’t want to deny anyone the food they like to eat at this time of year, but you don’t want anyone to overdo it either. 2.Follow Dietary RestrictionsSome seniors must follow special diets, such as low salt or sugar-free. It can be difficult to adhere to a diet during busy, stressful times, especially if there aren’t many healthy options available. To make it easier to stay on track, keep healthy options like fresh-cut vegetables and fruit on hand.

3.Keep ExercisingIn many par ts of the country, the holidays are synonymous with cold weather and snow. To stick to an exercise schedule, bundle up and invite your relatives to join you for a walk around the block. If it’s snowing or icy outside, drive to an indoor shopping mall and walk a few laps while window-shopping. 4.Share The WorkBetween cleaning the house and cooking for a crowd, hosting a big holiday meal can be a source of stress. If an older relative traditionally hosts a big holiday meal, consider passing the tradition on to the younger generation of family members. If the relative insists on hosting, have younger family members volunteer to clean or prepare part of the meal. 5.Decrease GiftsFor many senior s, especially those on a fixed income, the holidays can be a financial challenge due to purchasing gifts for many family members. To reduce stress from paying for gifts, consider having a family grab bag, where everyone contributes one gift. 6.Rest after TravelingFor some senior s, the holidays are a time to travel long distances to visit family and friends.

Whether they travel by car, rail or plane, keep in mind that an older relative may need to rest upon arrival. Offer the options of watching television or taking a nap before heading out for a day of shopping and visiting. 7.Make Homes AccessibleIf older relatives are visiting your home for the holidays, ensure your home is safe and accessible. Be aware of obstacles in your home, such as area rugs which can pose a trip hazard for canes and walkers. Consider having older relatives sleep on the first floor of your home or in a room with a nearby bathroom. In addition, use nightlights in the hallway so they don’t stumble in the dark. 8.Stay InvolvedRecognize that senior s still want to feel they are part of the holidays. For many, that may include helping out with holiday preparations. It’s a good idea to reduce stress by offering to hold the holiday event at your home instead of theirs, but still keep them involved by having them cook a favorite dish or help decorate the home. With an open mind and a little planning, seniors can stay healthy and follow their diets, while also having fun with their family members this holiday season.

Moving Beyond Grief After Losing a Spouse Finding ways to get your life back to normal Based on content from the NIH/National Institute on Aging AgePage M " ourning the Death of a Spouse." When your spouse dies, your world changes. You are in mourning—feeling grief and sorrow at the loss. You may feel numb, shocked and fearful. You may feel guilty for being the one who is still alive. If your spouse died in a nursing home, you may wish that you had been able to care for him or her at home. At some point, you may even feel angry at your spouse for leaving you. All these feelings are normal.

There are no rules about how you should feel. There is no right or wrong way to mourn. When you grieve, you can feel both physical and emotional pain. People who are grieving often cry easily and can have:  Trouble sleeping  Little interest in food  Problems with concentration A hard time making decisions If you are grieving, in addition to dealing with feelings of loss, you may also need to put your own life back together. This can be hard work. During this time, you may be surprised by some of your feelings, but they are a part of mourning. Some people may feel better sooner than they expect. Others may take

longer. As time passes, you may still miss your spouse, but for most people, the intense pain will lessen. There will be good and bad days. You will know that you are feeling better when the good days begin to outnumber the bad. For some people, mourning can go on so long that it becomes unhealthy. This can be a sign of serious depression and anxiety. If your sadness stays with you and keeps you from carrying on with your day-to-day life, talk to your doctor. What Can You Do? In the beginning, you may find that taking care of details and keeping busy helps. For a while, family and friends may be around to assist you. But, there comes a time when you will have to face the change in your life….Read More

Substance Abuse and Caregiving When to Ask for Help for your Own Health and Well-Being Whether you are a caregiver for an aging parent with the first signs of dementia or a client with debilitating chronic pain, caregiving is one of the toughest jobs there is. According to the National Caregiver Alliance, more than 40 million people have provided unpaid care to a child or an adult in the last year. Not only is this job physically demanding, but it can be emotionally challenging and mentally

stressful as well. From physical exhaustion to feelings of guilt and depression, many caregivers suffer from burnout, which can lead some people to using drugs and alcohol as a way to cope with their pain. Caregiving can be a very rewarding experience and fulfilling career, but the high-stress lifestyle can put you at risk for alcohol and substance abuse. This not only hurts your health and well-being, but also the life of the person you are caring for.

Using alcohol or drugs to cope with stress creates a cycle of negative emotions, leaving you constantly wracked with guilt and frequently returning to those same substances to ease the pain. You may feel isolation (because you think there’s no one to talk to) or shame (because you believe you should be able to handle this), but this is just the pressure and the addiction talking. There is help, and there is hope….Read More

10 Early Symptoms of Dementia Overview Dementia is a collection of symptoms that can occur due to a variety of possible diseases. Dementia symptoms include impairments in thought, communication, and memory. SYMPTOMS Symptoms of dementia If you or your loved one is experiencing memory problems, don’t immediately conclude that it’s dementia. A person needs to have at least two types of impairment that significantly interfere with everyday life to receive a dementia diagnosis. In addition to difficulty remembering, the person may also experience impairments in:  language  communication  focus  reasoning 1. Subtle short-term memory changes Trouble with memory can be an early symptom of dementia. The changes are often subtle and tend to involve short-term memory. An older person may be able to remember events that took place years ago but not what they had for breakfast. Other symptoms of changes in short-term memory include forgetting where they left an item, struggling to remember why they entered a particular room, or forgetting what they were supposed to do on any given day. 2. Difficulty finding the right words Another early symptom of dementia is struggling to communicate thoughts. A person with dementia may have difficulty explaining something or finding the right words to express themselves. Having a conversation with a person who has dementia can be difficult, and it may take longer than usual to conclude. 3. Changes in mood A change in mood is also common with

dementia. If you have dementia, it isn’t always easy to recognize this in yourself, but you may notice this change in someone else. Depression, for instance, is typical of early dementia. Along with mood changes, you might also see a shift in personality. One typical type of personality change seen with dementia is a shift from being shy to outgoing. This is because the condition often affects judgment. 4. Apathy Apathy, or listlessness, commonly occurs in early dementia. A person with symptoms could lose interest in hobbies or activities. They may not want to go out anymore or do anything fun. They may lose interest in spending time with friends and family, and they may seem emotionally flat. 5. Difficulty completing normal tasks A subtle shift in the ability to complete normal tasks may indicate that someone has early dementia. This usually starts with difficulty doing more complex tasks like balancing a checkbook or playing games that have a lot of rules. Along with the struggle to complete familiar tasks, they may struggle to learn how to do new things or follow new routines. 6. Confusion Someone in the early stages of dementia may often become confused. When memory, thinking, or judgment lapses, confusion may ar ise as they can no longer remember faces, find the right words, or interact with people normally. Confusion can occur for a number of reasons and apply to different situations. For example, they may misplace their car keys, forget what comes next in the day, or have difficulty remembering someone they’ve met before.

7. Difficulty following storylines Difficulty following storylines may occur due to early dementia. This is a classic early symptom. Just as finding and using the right words becomes difficult, people with dementia sometimes forget the meanings of words they hear or struggle to follow along with conversations or TV programs. 8. A failing sense of direction The sense of direction and spatial orientation commonly starts to deteriorate with the onset of dementia. This can mean not recognizing once-familiar landmarks and forgetting regularly used directions. It also becomes more difficult to follow a series of directions and step-by-step instructions. 9. Being repetitive Repetition is common in dementia because of memory loss and general behavioral changes. The person may repeat daily tasks, such as shaving, or they may collect items obsessively. They also may repeat the same questions in a conversation after they’ve been answered. 10. Struggling to adapt to change For someone in the early stages of dementia, the experience can cause fear. Suddenly, they can’t remember people they know or follow what others are saying. They can’t remember why they went to the store, and they get lost on the way home. Because of this, they might crave routine and be afraid to try new experiences. Difficulty adapting to change is also a typical symptom of early dementia...Read More