Home Stairlifts - How to Select the Right Domestic Lift
Is it difficult for you to climb up the stairs? And every time you have to go down you are afraid to fall? Then you have to choices - to move downstairs or to install a home stairlift. Domestic stair lifts has their own advantages and disadvantages - find out if a stairlift will be right for your home.
Moving to the ground floor might be the first thing that comes to mind, but it is not as simple as it sounds. You will have to do major renovations in the house, modifying one of the existing rooms as a bedroom or adding an additional room. Also you will have to create a bathroom. All of this involves an awful lot of work and expenses.
Home stairlifts are not cheap, but comparable to all the costs involved in moving downstairs, they are a more economical solution. Also installing a stairlift is not as much of a hassle as you may think. Companies that sell stairlifts usually take care of all the installation; all you need to do is to measure your stairs. And for an additional fee, most stairlift retailers can do the measurements as well.
Types of home lifts
You can get a suitable stairlift regardless of what type of stairs you have. If you’ve got an ordinary straight staircase, then you are in luck because straight stairlifts are the most common and the least expensive. If you have curved stairs, than you will need a curved stairlift. Stairlifts can be electric or battery powered.
Modern stair lift companies offer a variety of stair elevators, you can get:
- Standard straight lifts
- Curved lifts
- Through-floor lifts (also good for wheelchairs)
- Lifts designed with shafts
Home stairlifts are produced by companies who make other mobility equipment. Most reliable and durable lifts are by Stannah, Acorn, Ameriglide and Bruno.
Selecting a stairlift that is right for your home
There are two main types of elevators - lifts with a sit and wheelchair lifts. Sitting elevators are cheaper, and they are generally a good choice for elderly people. However, if you are disabled and you think that your condition can progress to the point that you will need a wheelchair, it is better to install a wheelchair lift, like a through-floor elevator, from the start.
Lifts mode of operation is also important. Most machines are operated by the person who is lifted; however some lifts can be operated by another person, such as your nurse. If you think you might need this option, than installing it from the start will save you a lot.
Check if the sit if comfortable for you, most companies let you personalize the sit of your home elevator. It can be adjusted so you are sitting tight, while lifted. Also a variety of sits is available - you can get a standard, removable or folding sit. For your safety a sit belt can be also included.
What direction do you prefer to face while the lift is in operation? Popular models of home elevators usually face sideways. However, if you would rather face forward, you can find models that suit you. Facing forward is a good option for people with stiff knees - it allows you more room.
Used domestic stairlift is an option if you want to save
Home elevators are expensive. Even the simplest model will cost you at least $2000. However, you can find many pre-owned home lifts. It often happens that person’s disability is temporary, and after they recover, there is no need for an elevator anymore. Most companies that sell brand new lifts also assist people in selling their used stairlifts.
A home stairlift can be a great addition to your house, providing safety and comfort for elderly and disabled people. With so many options, you can surely find an elevator that will suit your purpose.
Visit http://www.stairliftscentral.com/ for information about home stairlifts and wheelchair lift. Compare lifts by different brands and styles.
How Retirement Community Apartments Are Becoming Popular With Senior Citizens
Retirement community apartments for senior citizen is a very good option for many people who has already retired and want to enjoy life in their golden years. This is a good alternative for them to retain their independence while relieving the burden of caring for themselves.
In this community that is cater to the seniors, many of the everyday household tasks are taken care of. This includes laundry, linen service, group meals, local transportation, planned social and cultural activities, and even senior-oriented and assisted vacations. Unlike a nursing home, the seniors that lived in this type of apartments are in pretty good health and are able to move around unassisted.
This is good news for people who want to spend their golden years with a community of their peers i.e. people they can socialize with. They can enjoy a wide variety of social, cultural and fitness activities and live in an environment where similar senior residents live near them.
Retirement community apartments for senior citizen are generally compact, easy to maintain, private, and exemplify the essence of communal living. In other words, they provide the greatest versatility and freedom for seniors. In some of these communities, communal meals in a formal dining room atmosphere are also provided. Besides appetizing meals, seniors can interact with each other in a relaxed environment.
Demand for retirement community apartments are increasing every day due to the aging baby boomer population. Thus, more and more such apartments and communities are going up all over the country. You can ask any reputable realtor to help you find one that suits your needs. However, you should also visit the apartments for senior in your area to get a first hand experience, which will help you make a informed decision.
It is also likely that you are not the only one looking for such apartments. Talk to friends and family and ask them about the apartments or senior communities they have had experiences with. Gather as much information as possible. Whether you are renting or buying such an apartment, it involve parting with your hard-earned cash. Thus the more relevant information you have, the easier it is for you to make the correct decision.
Active seniors have worked hard for their retirement and deserve the best living arrangements that retirement community apartments can provide. Vital services, exciting entertainment and community connections are also important. If you are interested in live in one of these establishments, knowing all the facts is essential to making the right decision about senior housing for your family.
Stephen Chua is the webmaster of ActiveSeniorLiving.net, a popular website that provides tips and resources to senior communities and senior living. Visit http://ActiveSeniorLiving.net today and receive a free report ‘Seniors and the Internet’
Insurance: Long Term Nightmare
Recent legislation in Congress may make it even more difficult for seniors to qualify for government-paid long-term care coverage. If you don’t take action now, you may be setting you and your family up for a Long Term Nightmare!
This problem is so potentially damaging, yet so little understood, I’ve decided to dedicate multiple articles to covering it. In this article, I’ll expose the problem.
Seniors know the potential cost of long-term care could devastate them financially. The thought of seeing the nest egg they’ve worked years to build evaporate to pay for their care is hard to take. Some seniors seek to find ways to manipulate the system so that they can qualify for government assistance. Others mistakenly believe that Medicare and
Medicaid will pay for their care.
The reason that many feel the government should cover this cost is because Medicare and Medicaid are designed to provide health insurance to those over 65 (MediCARE) or to those who are impoverished (MedicAID). Since the need for care is usually the result of failing health, why shouldn’t it, they reason.
The terms ‘long-term care’ and ’skilled-nursing care’ refer to different needs. Understanding the difference is critical to understanding the problems you and your family may face. Knowing the difference will prevent a false sense of security.
‘Long-term care’ is a generalized term that refers to the assisted care individuals may require in their homes, an assisted-living facility or a nursing home. ‘Skilled-nursing care’ is a specific term used when that assistance must be provided by a licensed or registered nurse.
‘Long-term care’ includes the need for both custodial care and skilled-nursing care. ‘Skilled-nursing care’ does NOT include the need for custodial care. That’s the issue that creates the Long Term Nightmare.
For instance, if someone needs assistance because they can’t bathe, cook or dress themselves, they need custodial care. If someone has dementia and needs to be supervised, that is referred to as custodial care. If someone needs intravenous fluids (IV), they need skilled-nursing care because it cannot be administered by anyone else. Custodial care can be done by a family member. Skilled-nursing care is provided by licensed nurses.
The assistance provided by Medicare to those over 65 is only for skilled-nursing care. Typically this care occurs in a nursing home while the patient recovers from a surgery or illness that required at least a 3-day hospital stay. If the hospital stay didn’t occur, Medicare won’t pay for it. Even then, Medicare will only cover roughly 100 days.
Medicare does NOT provide any coverage when the assistance needed is custodial. Those costs must be paid entirely by the individual and/or their family. Medicare will not pay for stays in an assisted-living facility.
For the impoverished who qualify, Medicaid will cover nursing home costs. But the number of Medicaid beds is limited and recipients may face long waiting periods to get into such a facility.
Sometimes Medicaid will cover assisted living facilities and home health care, which includes custodial care. But these benefits are harder to receive reimbursement for. Rules and benefits vary from state to state. The bottom line for those depending on Medicaid is that you will be left with few options and limited care.
The greatest need for long-term care as we age is often custodial in nature. At some point, we are all likely to need help with our medications, cooking and cleaning. Worse, we may be suffering from the chronic effects of a long term illness. Even though we may not be able to care for ourselves as a result, Medicare will not pay for any help unless it requires a skilled nurse. They will, however, cover hospice care for terminally ill patients.
Many families find themselves caught in the nightmare of having to provide the care that isn’t covered by insurance or the government. This problem will not go away–the government is likely to cover even less care in the future.
Nationally-syndicated financial columnist and Certified Financial Planner Jeffrey Voudrie provides personal, in-depth money management services and advice to select private clients throughout the USA. He will answer your financial question FREE at http://www.guardingyourwealth.net/
Top 10 Reasons Older Adults Leave Home for Institutionalized Care - Don’t Be One of Them
As we move through life at ages 50, 60, 70 and beyond, we notice subtle changes in our abilities. The changes may seem small at first glance. However, subtle changes quickly become difficult to reverse if ignored.
We become less active; what used to be an easy trip up a flight of steps now leaves us breathless with aching knees. Trimming our toenails and putting on shoes and socks is a struggle. The organizational skills and sharp memory we once had have gone by the wayside. Sometimes we cannot remember what we were getting ready to do. We begin receiving past due notices on bills.
The one pill we previously took for arthritis has now turned into ten pills a day for various ailments and we have three doctors we see on a regular basis. Getting up out of a chair takes more effort. Our balance when we walk is not what it used to be; we have had some near falls. In our younger days we bathed and dressed each morning to get ready for the day. Now we rarely bathe and think nothing of wearing the same clothes day after day.
Friends and family members have expressed concern. Who are they to tell us what to do or how we should live our lives? If any of this sounds familiar it may be time to evaluate your day to day activities.
The top ten reasons leading to institutionalized care include: medication non-compliance, cognitive impairment, physical decline, depression, incontinence, lack of personal care, weight loss, sight or hearing loss, chronic health conditions and inability to maintain a home.
Often many of these sneak up on our parents or ourselves. Many are interrelated. Depression may cause weight loss, lack of sleep and decreased socialization. Lack of personal care may cause bladder infections which often result in disorientation and falls. Not taking proper medications, taking too many or taking too few can cause hospitalization.
We must all be proactive in order to age gracefully and healthfuly. Discuss your concerns with famiy members or you health professional before they become larger concerns. Try not to wait for a crises situation that will result in you having fewer choices rather than more choices to live your life the way you want, at home.
Pamela Dombrowski-Wilson is an author and owner of In Home and Family Services, Inc. a counseling and direct care company serving older adults and their family members. Visit http://www.inhomeandfamily.com or http://www.pameladwilson.com for more informaion
Have a Healthy Senior Life with These Tips
The Sixty Year Old Personality Benjamin Franklin once said that all would live long, but none would be old. What should we actually expect of ourselves after sixty years? Must we eventually become senile and mentally old, or can we have a long life and still remain alert and bright with opinions others respect?
The answer is simple. Age itself creates very few mental problems; it simply makes us more transparent and reveals the way we have actually been all of our lives. Thus, cranky and forgetful older people have usually been cranky and forgetful younger people, and bright young people usually develop into bright older people. Most of our world leaders, nearly all over sixty, are only carrying on the bright and alert way of life customary for them all of their years.
Only about 10 percent of the mental difficulties in later years can be blamed on age alone, and these troubles arise usually from arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. This affects a reduced amount of blood circulating in the brain, with resulting easier fatigue, and loss of fine coordination. This of course, makes much more difficult the physical activity necessary in efforts like playing a violin, maintaining heavy concentration, or making public speeches. However, we do not consider these difficulties to be diseases, but merely a decrease in the ability of our skills and talents.
Actual mental diseases in later life are much the same in each person as they were in more youthful years. We are inclined to overlook the mental quirks of younger, physically able people who can work hard each day, but we are not so tolerant with older people after their physical abilities are gone and they become dependent on others. Many older people are therefore urged to seek medical help for mental diseases they have probably had since their youth. Because mental diseases are so poorly tolerated by surrounding family and friends, a startling fact has arisen, nearly half of the hospital beds in the United States are occupied by the mentally ill.
Psychosis: Unrecognized Mental Difficulties
A person with a psychosis has a mental difficulty of which he is not aware. People with delusions of grandeur, who may think they are someone else, or who have hallucinations, do not realize that their difficulties are unreal. And while it may be an elderly person who thinks he has many millions of dollars, or that he is Napoleon, these ideas were probably present at a much younger age, for age alone is rarely responsible for this development.
The treatment for psychoses, which can occur at any age, is long and difficult; it must be handled by a psychiatrist of great experience.
Neuroses: Recognized Mental Problems
A person with a neurosis has a mental difficulty of which he is aware. He knows that his worries, extreme anxiety and other mental sufferings are not normal, and this person frequently takes it upon himself to seek proper medical care.
All of us have known worriers, or people who fear innumerable things, or friends who have displayed odd behavior from childhood age on up through adulthood. One does not have to be fifty, sixty or seventy years of age to be neurotic. In fact, it would seem true that most people with neuroses are either in middle age or younger.
Treatment of neurosis again demands the services of an experienced psychiatrist, who ably and skillfully points out the source of difficulty to the person, and usually helps him to obtain relief of his difficulty.
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Monster Terrorizes Elderly Couple
Amberly is a career woman with aging parents. Her parents require assistance to daily life routines. Amberly is not able to continue her career and look after her parents, as she would like. She had no other relatives in the area. After careful consideration, she decided to hire someone to assist her parents while she worked.
She performed a detailed search. She also conducted what she thought was an extensive background check on all the candidates. The were many prospects with various backgrounds. They all submitted resumes and she looked at each one with care. She wanted the person to be right. After all she was talking about her own parents.
She finally settled on a young woman named Sandie. Before she officially hired Sandie, she brought her over to meet her parents. She wanted to test both sides reactions. She needed to know if her parents would like her. She also wanted to know if Sandie had any objections to her parents. Both sides seemed to be OK with each other.
Sandie seemed to have the kind of gentle personality that Amberly was looking for. Amberly hired Sandie. In the beginning, she was very pleased with Sandies work. A few months into the relationship brought change. Amberly noticed that her parents were starting to complain. They told her that Sandie was doing bad things.
Amberly did not notice anything unusual or any overt signs of mistreatment. She also knew that her parents would do almost anything to get her attention. She decided to wait a while before she made any accusations. She did not want to jump to conclusions, because Sandie was a big help. She knew it would be hard to find anybody else with her qualifications.
She kept a close eye out for anything unusual but there was nothing. Her parents continued to complain. They tried to explain, but Amberly did not see any signs. They were both subject to memory loss and other deficiences associated with aging. They repeatedly mentioned something about a monster.
This made it even harder for Amberly to give their story any credibility. A few more weeks went by. Amberly noticed that her parents had grown really quite. She thought this was unusual since they had always been talkative. She wondered what was wrong. She asked Sandie if there was anything she should know. Sandie said no. Amberly was getting concerned.
She really wanted to know what was going on with her parents. Her focus fell on Sandie. She was determined to find out what was going on. One day she acted as if she was going to work. She drove around the corner and walked back to her house. She looked through one of the windows. What she saw was disturbing.
There were her parents tied back to back in chairs. Sandie was parading around them in a monster mask. Amberly called the police. They went inside and told Sandie what Amberly saw. Sandie said it was just a technique she used to get elderly people to cooperate. She was arrested for endangerment.
There is a need to know whats going on at your home when you are not there. The elderly cannot always clearly explain whats happening to them. It is important to know all you can about the person you choose to care for them. Choosing the right people is not always an easy task. Even after you choose, you must remain vigilant. Never ignore your intuition.
Johnny A. Jenkins, Distribution Director of Repeller Technology, has a huge selection of hidden surveillance equipment, tips and advice to fit most situations. Make your surroundings safer for you and loved ones today at: http://www.cameraindisguise.com
The Guide To Selecting and Finding Caregivers For People With Alzheimer’s
One of the most dreaded diseases in old age is Alzheimer disease. Although unlike cancer and heart problem, this is actually not fatal. In fact, people with Alzheimer can live for a long time with proper care. That is actually the problem most of the time.
With Alzheimer disease, the patient need to be taken cared of all the time. This is because the memory loss will often render the patient incapable of thinking and reasoning. Some will even forget how to do the simplest of tasks, like brushing their teeth and even eating with a spoon and fork.
Alzheimer is a progressive and degenerative disease that affects the brain. The problem often leads to massive memory loss not only in terms of one’s memories but also one’s learning. Patients will forget everything that they have learned even routine tasks that they have learned when they were just tots. Some people will also find it hard to learn new things and may even lose their language abilities. They will have difficulties in their speech and in their writing.
Because of this, caring for a patient with Alzheimer’s disease can be extremely difficult. It is actually like caring for a newborn babe but while a baby will slowly learn to function independently, patients with Alzheimer’s will lose what they have learned and will slowly become more and more dependent with their caregivers. Thus, it is important to find a caregiver that is both professionally-capable and caring as they will determine the progress that the patient will have as well as their over all condition and behavior.
Here are some tips in finding a good caregiver for an Alzheimer’s patient.
Choose a professional
It is good to look for a person that is already well experienced in caring for people with Alzheimer’s. Not only will their experience come in handy when it comes to dealing with the patient’s medicines and medical routines, they will also be more patient because of prior knowledge.
One problem though in hiring these kinds of people is the money that you will shell out for their salaries. Private nurses and caregivers are expensive enough as it is without adding the burden of a specialization. If you just cannot afford to hire someone with enough experience, try one who has worked with old people and then give him or her materials that will make them familiar with the basics of the disease.
Choose someone you know
Nothing beats hiring someone that you already know or someone that you have already seen working. Patients with Alzheimer’s will have a lot of quirks and behavior that can be extremely irritating and difficult to deal with. Thus, it is important that you choose someone that you know will have a lot of patience and care.
Of course, if a member of the family can spare the time for the patient, that is good. If not, you can ask for recommendations from people that you know. Chances are they know someone who can take care of a patient with Alzheimer’s.
Choose someone strong
Although this is actually not a major issue, it is also important that you choose someone who can deal with the patient and the often back breaking tasks. Remember that because the patient is full- dependent on the person, they will sometimes need to carry them or guide them when walking.
For more great information on Living with Alzheimer’s Disease at http://www.ichibanda.com/alzheimers/ check out our site chocked full of useful information.
Visiting Someone in the Hospital: 14 Helpful Tips
Most of us have had the opportunity to go and visit a friend with an illness or injury in the hospital. It can be a pleasant experience as they welcome you with a smile, or they may cry as you offer prayer and comfort. But oftentimes we wish we had the training of a hospital chaplain so it wouldn’t be so be awkward. For those members in your church, all of these situations can be frightening.
Despite the fact that yesterday you were easily conversing as you hit golf balls together, today, he sees you coming and plunges under the covers. Perhaps you were having a moment of fellowship outside your local grocery store. Do people really want you to come see them in that scanty gown? Should you bring a card? A gift? What are you supposed to talk about as the nurses breeze in and out of the room? Should you try to cheer the person up? Pray?
Here are some suggestions from chronically ill people who have spent time in the hospital. Feel free to reprint thisin your church newsletter as a resource guide to better equip your church with some special tools for hospital visitations.
[1] “I wish people would just ask ‘What can I do to help?’ If they could just bring me a sandwich or make me some iced tea…little things. Words like, ‘I admire your strength in what you’re going through’ would bring me comfort.” -Martha
[2] “Someone brought me a little bottle of perfume and it just what I needed!” -Laurie
[3] “When I am ill enough to be hospitalized, lots of visitors are not comforting. I feel I have to entertain. I prefer that they not stay too long and add to my distress. I do appreciate when they bring sources of spiritual healing, for example, a Guidepost magazine.” -Donna
[4] “To keep me occupied in bed, I enjoy spiritual tapes to listen to and spiritual music to keep me occupied.” -Robin
[5] “I have a friend who is a great laugher. It’s infectious and I always feel better being around her.” -Martha
[6] “I would like friends to say, ‘Is there anything I can do for you? I know that you are hurting; Could I say a little prayer for you to maybe ease the pain a little?’” -Judy
[7] “I wish friends would offer their help and just call to say hi. Nice words are a pick-me-up. ‘You’re in my prayers’ is a good one. It makes me realize that someone is praying for me. That seems better than praying by myself. The disease is lonely enough.” -Beverley
[8] “The best gift while I was in the hospital was a box of crayons and a color book from my 5- year-old granddaughter.” -Marilyn
[9] “Humor is always good (except just after surgery). I just had a spleenectomy and my friends came in and started cracking jokes thinking that making me laugh would be good. At that point it did make me laugh, but I ripped my stitches a bit and had lots of pain. So…” -Beverley
[10] “My daughter sent updates to all of my on-line friends. Then she made copies of their encouraging words, scriptures, and prayers and brought them to the hospital.” -Martha
[11] “Things that have brought me comfort were a new crochet book and a skein or yarn or thread, a pretty get-well card, a phone call from an old friend, some homemade cookies and can of soda.” -Judy
[12] “I love to get mail, or pick up the phone to find a friend on the other end. I hope they understand that if I don’t respond enthusiastically it may be that my medications have me kind of zoned out or I’m just having a bad day, but I always appreciate their call.” -Terry
[13] “I enjoyed the candy, flowers, books, hand cream, shower things, perfume. My favorite gift though was a burger from my favorite fast-food restaurant.” -Beverley
[14] “Having my husband be there as much as he could helped the most. When I was in pain, having my daughter and a friend rush to my side and pat me and show love helped so much.” -Martha
Overall, just be yourself, don’t stay more than fifteen minutes, and bring something that will make the person smile. Your gift of time and concern is what they will apprecite the most.
Get a free list of 50 ways to encourage chronically ill friends or order Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend, by Lisa Copen, founder of Rest Ministries and editor of HopeKeepers Magazine. http://www.comfortzonebooks.com .
Electric Wheelchairs Promote Mobility and Safeguard Independence
With more and more people living longer and longer, the question of quality of life is a constant concern. Some older people choose to grab life by the horns and soak up every second. Others are simply unable to do so. Still others choose to let little things get in the way of living and then watch as these problems snowball to take away their mobility and independence. For those who want to enjoy life to the fullest, sometimes a little help is needed in the form of devices such as electric wheelchairs, walkers and so on.
Using a wheelchair is not something most elderly people relish. However, for those who enjoy a relative high quality of life, this implement can be a real lifesaver. There’s no reason for an older person to sit back and rock away the rest of their lives when so many devices are available to help them overcome the troubles that can go along with normal aging. Getting a wheelchair isn’t giving in to aging, it’s fighting back and saying the person refuses to give up mobility and independence.
If an electric wheelchair is needed for a person with limited or even no mobility, there are some things to look for. Not all wheelchairs will work for every person, so custom fitting is often in order. Before buying the first chair that’s found, consider these things:
* Weight. Some chairs are designed to be more comfortable for people of higher weights. A chair designed for a 120-pound person is not likely to work well for a 200-pound man. Look at manufacturer specifications for weight limits before buying.
* Ease of use. Electric wheelchairs are meant to be easy to use and deliver mobility to those who have lost it. But sometimes the consoles and controls are too complex for some users to handle. Match the features with the person who will be using the device. A wheelchair can be a blessing for returning independence to those with mobility issues, but if the person who needs it is afraid to use it, there’s no point in the purchase.
* Charging and battery life. If the person who needs the chair enjoys long strolls or outings, make sure the battery has a lifespan to suit. A chair that only stays powered for a few hours won’t do in this case. Also make certain there are extra battery packs available and that charging is simple to handle.
* Price. Many elderly people find themselves living on a tight budget. Make certain the chair chosen fits the budget, or better yet, is covered by an insurance plan if doctor’s orders have been given.
Getting older doesn’t have to mean giving up on living. Although some older people enjoy full mobility and good health, this isn’t the case for everyone. But with some smart purchases to help overcome the little bumps in the road aging presents, most people can enjoy life to the fullest even in their 80s, 90s and beyond. A good power wheelchair can give those who have limited or no mobility a new lease on life. Making the right purchase, however, is vital for the proposition.
More Resources
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http://www.wheelchairadvice.com
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Can You Retire Before You Die?
Most of us are familiar with these statistics…
Out of 100 people who starts working at the age of 25, by the age 65:
* 1% are wealthy
* 4% have adequate capital stowed away for retirement
* 3% are still working
* 63% are dependant on Social Security, friends, relatives or charity.
* 29% are dead.
More Statistics on “The GOLDEN Years”
Retirement by the Governments own statistics:
* The average savings of a 50 year old in the U.S. is $2500.
* 32 Million Americans are currently threatened with bankruptcy.
* More than 1,000,000 [1 Million] filed for bankruptcy in the year 2000.
More Statistics…
Out of every 100 people who reach the retirement age of 65:
* 62 retire with less than $25,000 in assets and depend on Social Security or family for their retirement.
* Another 35 retire with less than $100,000, have some form of pension in addition to Social Security and are just making it in their retirement. If either Social Security or their pension went away they would have a very difficult time surviving.
* 2 of the 3 remaining retirees have an adequate pension or retirement account. They have assets of between $100,000 and $750,000. They do appreciate having the additional money they receive from Social Security, but could survive without it.
* The last of these 100 retirees, is the only one who is financially independent. This retiree has assets approaching or exceeding $1,000,000. They do not need the income from Social Security at all.
Which group above will you be in when it is time for you to retire?
Still More Statistics…
“According to recent Governmental statistics, most people are very concerned about their financial security in retirement. Over 70% believe they won’t have enough money put away for retirement. Of those between the ages of 30 and 54, almost 80% feel this way about their future.
One of the factors is the uncertainty of Social Security. In the mid 1970’s, 2/3 of the people surveyed said they were quite confident Social Security would be there for them when they retired.
In 1980, of those surveyed, 2/3 commented that they were not confident that Social Security would be there to support them in retirement. They felt that if Social Security was still a functioning service, it probably would not be paying an adequate amount to cover a reasonable standard of living.
So if this is the case… why aren’t people socking away hoards of money so they are not part of the statistics? Well, it seems that saving for retirement is a difficult task to master for the average person.
Some have difficulty saving on a systematic basis. With others, it’s often the case of having good intentions but very poor follow-through. Still others, it’s that they make poor selections with the saving and investment vehicles they choose.”
Clearly, the working-class scenario of toiling away building someone else’s empire for forty years, trying to accumulate wealth (money) so one can retire comfortably, is NOT working. Most people would like to retire with dignity. Wouldn’t you?
Have we shown you enough? Well, here’s a few more facts…
“The rising stock market and escalating property values, while adding general prosperity, hide the brutal fact that for many Baby Boomers-who are now turning 50, retirement may not be a pretty picture.
Over the next 20 years, 76 million of us born between 1946 and 1964 will hit 50. For most, that means facing up to the harsh questions of how, or even if, they will be able to afford to retire.
With meaty employment pension plans gone the way of ancient history, and Social Security increasingly becoming an uncertainty, the lifestyle of retirees is no longer leisure, golfing, fishing and travel. In fact, the lifestyle for many retirees may be continued work and “cans of Spam . . . and not Caviar and Travels.”
The latest Census Statistics show that only 1 out of every 10 Americans today, is financially prepared to retire when they reach the age of 65.
What about the Current Economic Situation?
As we know, the economy is teetering on recession, companies continue to lay off in great numbers. And, you may as well kiss true job security good-bye. It doesn’t seem to exist anymore.
And although you may be one of those that make it to retirement and manage to hang on to your job, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, at 65 only 5% have enough money to retire on.
And since the standard route of working a traditional job has failed for 95% of all Americans. Shouldn’t you be seriously RE-evaluating the traditional career job employment scenario and if it is going to get you to and take you through retirement financially sound?
Here’s the real kicker… You and most of the people you know are going to work for at least 30 to 40 years …. at jobs you hate… with bosses you hate… with commutes you hate… with hours that you hate. What a life - failing while you are miserable most of the time. Do you want to do this for the next 40 years?
So What Can You Do About It?
Well, one pro-active move you can make is to avoid common and costly retirement planning mistakes that could seriously jeopardize your future and the lifestyle you dream of for your retirement.
Mistake Number 1: Procrastination
Mistake Number 2: Not realizing that you’ll need a specific amount of money to sustain you each month when retired.
Mistake Number 3: Relying on the belief you’ll be able to draw FULL Social Security benefits.
Mistake Number 4: The under-estimation of your medical costs if you are not in good health.
Mistake Number 5: Not setting up your long-term-care insurance early.
Mistake number 6: Making the assumption that you can retire early.
Mistake Number 7: Getting into the false hope that in retirement you will be in retirement-mode.
Mistake Number 8: Failing to seek expert financial and retirement guidance.
Start focusing on these commonly made mistakes and make sure you are not falling into the traps they can create. If you recognize some of them in your portfolio, get them fixed so you are on the right track. You don’t want any of them to affect your retirement planning and live-on income.
Start a pro-active plan NOW! If you want to be able to live financially stable now and into your “golden” retirement years, you need to make changes in the strategies you’re presently using.
One other pro-active move you can make is to join the home-business boom. It is the next big trend. CNN reports that a new home based business is started in the United States every 11 seconds.
Why? Well because a new home based business offers a low start-up investment compared to a brick and mortar, or franchise business, low monthly overhead, and you can start part-time while still employed, and create time leverage, residual income, and tax benefits for yourself. Tax expert Sanford Botkin says that a home business can result in tax savings of $3,000 to $9,000 per year.
Follow this trend, however do proceed wisely - you don’t want to get into a situation where you are wasting time or money out of your pocket.
Make sure you do your research. You are looking for an income generating system that allows you to build substantial supplemental income, PASSIVELY; where you don’t have to give up your life, or your spare time to run it successfully.
You don’t want to be adding a lot of additional work hours to your day, otherwise, you might as well start commuting to a second job site.
Start now… remember, procrastination is mistake #1… That way when you do decide to retire, unlike the income earned at a job, which stops when the work stops, the residual income from your home based business will continue to pay you long after the work is completed. Leaving you to enjoy your retirement free and to the fullest.
Tracey Anne shows people how to generate passive, pre-and retirement income, on just a few hours of ‘work’ per week. Her System creates passive income in a non-time consuming, successful and fun way! For more information, go to: http://www.TalkAboutCash.com
