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A Comprehensive Help Guide for Seniors 50+
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Introduction
In the USA alone someone turns 50 every seven seconds, and over the next two decades, the senior population reaching 65 and up, will double from
thirty-five million to over seventy million.
The Baby Boomers of the 1950's are coming of age indeed. And unlike any
generation before them, they will live longer, look and feel younger, have
more options and better support systems than any 'elderly' group of people
since the dawn of civilization.
No longer required to retire, they will be seeking 'new growth', continuing
education, and second or even third careers. They will, thanks to advances
in medicine in the new millennium, be capable of more physical activity and
greater contributions than even they can imagine, now.
As they seek new volunteer and work opportunities, become grandparents along the way, and continue to seek out ways to save money, find new
transportation modes, employ technology, escape fraud, and much, much more, it becomes vital that they have directions to the sources and resources
available to them.
That's the purpose of this book. I wrote it because I'm now 56 years of age,
and I've been caring for my parents for over ten years. During this
maturation experience, I've needed lots of help. What I found amazed me!
There were everyday lifestyle needs, from finances to driving safety. On
the home front there were modifications that needed to be made, retirement
communities to look into, senior living options to consider.
Of course, health became a new issue and I found myself taking my mother for laser eye surgery, or helping to fight her arthritis. My father had a stroke
and major by-pass surgery. I myself decided to have a heart attack along the
way, and this led me in all new directions for discovering how and where
help could be found.
There are millions of people in my shoes. Reaching a seasoned age
themselves, where parents need continued care and concern, while their own
health issues may become apparent, often for the first time. It can all be
overwhelming as you search out answers to uncomfortable issues like 'end of life' decisions or paying for current health care so you can achieve maximum enjoyment from life, both your own or someone close to you.
The 'golden years' always arrive without instruction manuals or college
courses that explain the options. Everyone is left to their own wits, and as
they search desperately for assistance, they have work and career demands or children and family issues to contend with, too.
The Medicare system can be a labyrinth that snares you into a confusing maze of choices, insurance options can seem never ending. Social Security is another issue that needs to be understood.
There are so many considerations of a financial nature, in fact, that the
sooner you tackle them the better. What about trusts and wills and reverse
mortgages? Which way to turn? How to take advantage of the services
available?
It can seem like a tangled mess that is just too confusing to bother with.
I want to clear the way out of the maze, and give you simple, easy
directions to the best sources, where real help exists for yourself and
your loved ones.
I've written this book so you can take step-by-step action. It isn't filled
with a lot of general information. Rather, you'll find me telling you
exactly what to do---which may sound abrupt or rude, but it's written with
the idea in mind that you need to act and act today.
You see, most people don't think about these things until they absolutely
have to. Perhaps that's the case with you, dear reader. Maybe you've
recently found out you're not immortal (like I did) or you've been
responsible for an elderly person that you love and cherish.
I'm sure you've noticed that no one has been banging down your door to offer assistance through all of this and help you rise above the confusion and
lift the burdens.
The wonderful news is that help has arrived. This book works to remind you
that there are many different programs available to you, and you'll discover
some good common sense help with issues like social security, senior
housing, retirement planning, senior health issues, and more. It's like
having a detailed road map to maturity!
In fact, with this book in your library you can achieve the solid
realization that these can truly be your "Golden Years". Unlike anytime in
history, seniors have options never before available on a wide scale.
Your grandparents would have been completely in awe:
Discounts
.... if you told them they could get an automatic discount on nearly
everything they purchased, just because they were of a certain age,--- they
would think you were mad.
Subsidies
.... tell them you could help them get subsidies for their utility bills,
with special loans and grants for their continued education, or special
help finding employment until very, very late in life, --- they'd be
thrilled!
Organizations
.... tell them about organizations like the National Institute on Aging
(NIA), American Association Of Retired People (AARP), and others that were
created just to study and cater to their needs, --- and they might think
you live in a futuristic utopia.
Internet
.... say to them, there is something now called the 'Internet', that has
opened a new world of information and instant contact with support groups
that will take care of them, offer tremendous resources full of really
caring individuals dedicated to their issues --- they would be sure that you
were reading too much science fiction.
Health
.... they would read about the truly miraculous advances made in medicine
and be sure that living to 100 or older could well be within their grasp.
And they'd be right! More than that, life into very advanced years can be
active, with continuing contributions that allowed them to 'feel alive',
rather than merely 'preparing to die.'
So, keep your chin up, you're turning older in just the right century!
Prepare to explore the many options available to you in this book. Make sure
you follow the hints and tips I'll offer, and take the time to delve more
deeply into the programs, both government and humanitarian, that offer
remarkable assistance to you. After all, this information does no good
sitting on the page. It needs to be used and explored.
Above all, remember, you are not alone!
There are more organizations and there is more awareness for elder care, or
'geriatrics', than ever in the history of mankind. This trend will only
continue to grow over the next 20 years as the 'Boomer's' start using their
clout to demand attention and support systems.
You can be sure that aging is not going away, and you won't be ignored or
'shuttled away' as was often the case with past generations of the elderly
or infirm. Though families were often more sensitive to the problems of
aging, taking on the sick and dying in their midst, today the
'world-at-large' has become more sensitive with many more available
resources to individuals and families.
No longer a terrifying experience at all, aging is a natural occurrence
filled with benefits. One that should be enjoyed as much as graduating from
high school or college, succeeding in your first job or driving your first
car.
Now you have something that no one can ever take away from you: wisdom and experience. Once you realize that there are many support systems, people who really know how to help you as more birthdays bump into each other, you will enjoy a large sigh of relief as you start living a bolder, more exciting life.
Let's begin!
Victor K. Pryles
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