Retirement living men who are married may be healthier, study suggests.
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| Written by Francis Ma |
| Thursday, 25 February 2010 18:04 |
| Retirement livingmen who eat a balanced diet, get plenty of exercise and follow doctor’s orders are likely to be enhancing their overall well-being. Happily, studies show that being married can also reduce a man’s risk of having a fatal stroke.
The findings are based on the Israeli Ischemic Heart Disease Study, which began in 1963.  Researchers have found that 8.4 percent of men who were single at the start of the study died of a fatal stroke, compared to 7.1 percent of men who were married, according to TheHindu.com.
The study followed over 10,000 men, and the data gathered has been used to draw a variety of conclusions about men’s health.
Uri Goldbourt, a professor of epidemiology and preventive medicine at Tel Aviv University, presented the findings on the correlation between marriage and a reduced risk of stroke at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference, WebMD.com reports.
Though men are more likely to have a stroke than their spouses, retirement living women can reduce their risk by controlling their blood pressure, reducing their exposure to cigarette smoke and eating a healthy diet, according to the American Heart |
Read more: http://www.retirementhomes.com/library/senior-living/retirement-living/retirement-living-men-who-are-married-may-be-healthier,-study-suggests-201002251075.html#ixzz0geOtaDxS
The best opportunity to find your way to a healthier, worry-free lifestyle can be found at Oakmonte Village at Lake Mary. Oakmonte Village offers restaurant quality dining, a fitness center, walking trails, on-site home health care as well as a variety of ways to meet up with your friends for a movie in our state of the art theatre or for wine at the daily social hour!
There is no time like today to stop by Oakmonte and see how the personal Concierge service and exceptional amenities will improve your quality of life!
Oakmonte Village is a new 25-acre luxury senior living community in the heart of prestigious Lake Mary, Florida. Ideally located for ease and convenience, Oakmonte Village is within easy reach of many local Orlando amenities such as parks, walking trails, shopping, restaurants, and more. For more information on our Senior Living community contact us today.
Julie Fernandez, Director of Marketing
407.732.5800
www.oakmontevillage.com
What if he wants to look at cars and she wants to shop? How can these two spend their day together and still get to do what they want! There is no better way than to come to the “First Annual Community Antique Car, Hot Rod, Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet” being held on Sunday, March 21st from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at Oakmonte Village at Lake Mary.
The event will feature a large variety of antique and classic cars and motorcycles, food vendors, arts and craft booths as well as rummage sales and other area businesses. There is something for everyone – including plenty of parking! Booth space is still available. Please call 407.732.5800 for more information.
Oakmonte Village is a new 25-acre luxury senior living community in the heart of prestigious Lake Mary, Florida. Ideally located for ease and convenience, Oakmonte Village is within easy reach of many local Orlando amenities such as parks, walking trails, shopping, restaurants, and more. The residents of Oakmonte enjoy events such as the car show and swap meet which are held regularly at the independent living community.
Mark your calendar now for Sunday, March 21st starting at 10:00 am. This is a great opportunity to have a great day outdoors as well as learn more about the lifestyle available to seniors at Oakmonte Village. Please go to our website at www.oakmontevillage.com for a map and driving directions.
Congress, the White House and Your Portfolio
As the U.S. economy looks forward to a recovery, government policies are likely to continue driving growth significantly. And while such federal intervention may be necessary, the resulting legislation may produce some undesirable long-term consequences. But you can take steps to make your portfolio ready for inflation, higher taxes or other possible side effects of these initiatives.Between March and October 2009, the feds spent $92.8 billion on business tax incentives, the expansion of COBRA health care benefits and many other recovery programs.1 When you add health care reform—estimated to cost $871 billion over the next 10 years2—it’s inevitable that the already large federal budget deficit will increase considerably.
Rising deficits can depreciate the dollar, opening the door to inflation. What’s more, the government may need to raise the top income tax brackets, as well as the capital gains and dividend taxes. If these possibilities concern you, consider these asset-protection measures:
Deal with Inflation . . . on Your Terms Thankfully, rising prices are not yet an issue: in November, the last month for which data are available, core inflation was flat compared with the previous month, and rose only 1.7% compared with the November 2008 rate.3 The Federal Reserve expects a low inflation rate, at least until the economy recovers.4 At that point, the combination of low interest rates and large budget deficits could raise prices significantly—and weaken Americans’ purchasing power.
Here’s how to be ready for this possible scenario: First, maintain adequate exposure to equities. Also consider investing a small portion of your portfolio in inflation hedges such as commercial real estate and commodities, which typically perform well during inflationary times.
Conversely, inflation typically has a negative impact on bonds, since it mitigates the expected buying power of future interest payments. That said, if you’re a bond investor, consider diversifying your fixed income holdings among bonds of various maturities so that you can attempt to capture any future increase in interest rates. At the same time, minimize your position in long-term bonds, since these are especially vulnerable to inflation.
The same long-term caveat applies to certificates of deposit (CDs). Avoid tying up cash, such as your household emergency fund, in this way. Instead, consider maintaining a CD ladder, in which your portfolio holds several CDs with staggered maturity dates. When the CD with the shortest term matures, you can roll the cash into a longer-term CD.
Give Yourself a (Tax) Break
Many analysts believe that Congress will raise taxes this year to finance health care reform and ongoing economic stimulus programs. With that in mind, you may want to adopt forward-thinking, tax-minimizing strategies for your earned and investment income.
First, contribute as much as you can to your traditional IRA, 401(k) or other traditional tax-deferred plans to reduce your taxable income. Roth accounts are particularly useful if you anticipate that your tax rate in retirement will be higher or if you will not need the income from the Roth account in retirement. Though your contributions are not tax deductible, your retirement-time withdrawals will be tax-free (provided you’ve held the account for at least five years and have reached age 59½). Consider a Roth 401(k) if you have access to one, or look into converting a portion of your regular savings into a Roth IRA either directly (if you are eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA under IRS rules) or by making after-tax contributions to a traditional IRA and then converting to a Roth IRA. In any case, you should consult your tax advisor before contributing to an account to determine the tax consequences of electing the Roth option.
Also consider taking advantage of new and existing tax breaks before they expire. Among them:
- Tax credits for first-time homebuyers and certain repeat homebuyers
- Credits for energy-efficient home repairs
- An expanded tuition tax credit
- The $2,500–$7,500 electric vehicle credit
The past year has presented investors with a difficult set of challenges—with more to come as the economic cycle continues to play out. Under these circumstances, investors who guard themselves now against inflation and possible tax hikes will enjoy a financial advantage if these possibilities come to pass.
1 Recovery.gov, “92.8b in Tax Relief,” http://www.recovery.gov/News/featured/Pages/TaxReliefOct2009.aspx.
2 David M. Herszenhorn and Carl Hulse, “Hopes Dim, G.O.P. Still Vows to Fight Health Bill,” New York Times, Dec. 20, 2009, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/21/health/policy/21health.html?hp.
3 “Consumer Price Index—November 2009,” http://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm.
4 Untitled Federal Open Market Committee press release, Dec. 16, 2009, http://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/press/monetary/20091216a.htm.
Oakmonte Village is a new 25-acre luxury senior living community in the heart of prestigious Lake Mary, Florida. Ideally located for ease and convenience, Oakmonte Village is within easy reach of many local Orlando amenities such as parks, walking trails, lakes, and more. For more information on our Senior Living community contact us today.
Julie Fernandez, Director of Marketing
Oakmonte Village at Lake Mary
407.732.5800
www.oakmontevillage.com
As days grow shorter, and daylight becomes scarce in late fall and winter, 4 to 6 percent of Americans experience a form of depression called winter-onset Seasonal Affective Disorder *(SAD). Another 10 to 20 percent have milder cases. Many mistakenly write off SAD as the winter blues or cabin fever, but as a recognized type of clinical depression, SAD requires professional diagnosis and attention, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) advises.
Although SAD is more common among younger adults (75 percent of SAD patients are women, most in their 20s, 30s and 40s), it also affects seniors.
And seniors diagnosed with other forms of depression may have symptoms aggravated by the isolating effect of forbidding winter weather. Treatment for SAD and other forms of depression is especially critical for older adults, who are at greater risk of suicide than the rest of the U.S. population, according to the Centers for Disease Control. While American seniors make up 12 percent of the population they account for 16 percent of all suicides—and white men over 85 are at six times greater risk of suicide than other population segments.
Despite this, only 10 percent of seniors suffering from depression receive therapy, the National Institute of Mental Health reports.
Those with SAD exhibit many of the common signs of depression—sadness, anxiety, irritability, social withdrawal, loss of interest in normal activities, and inability to concentrate. Other symptoms of winter-onset SAD, which usually begin in October or November and subside in March or April, include:
- Craving for carbohydrates, overeating and weight gain
- Fatigue and loss of energy
- Oversleeping
- Increased sensitivity to social rejection
Symptoms vary from one person to another as does the degree of depression—for most individuals, mild to moderate, and for a few, severe to the point of suicidal thoughts.
Winter-Onset SAD is more common at higher latitudes as it is closely associated with a decrease in daylight. It is thought that lessened exposure to sunlight alters the biological clock that regulates mood, sleep, and hormones. Another explanation for SAD is that the neurotransmitters, the brain chemicals that relay information between the nerves, may be altered in the brains of persons with SAD.
Light therapy, using a specially designed light box or light visor, is a common treatment for correcting the imbalances in persons with SAD. This therapy often is prescribed in combination with antidepressants and behavioral therapy.
Other means to help seniors elevate mood and fend off the effects of winter and depression include:
- Open curtains and blinds to allow in as much daylight as possible. Sitting near a window can increase daylight’s positive effects.
- As safety permits, spend time outdoors every day. Even on cloudy days the effect of daylight can be beneficial. For the added benefit of companionship, as well as safety, a family or professional caregiver may need to accompany a senior.
- Eat a well-balanced diet that provides recommended amounts of vitamins and minerals to maintain energy. Limit consumption of starchy and sweet foods.
- Get physical activity 30 minutes a day, three times a week. Again, a family or professional caregiver can help seniors achieve this safely with the added, healthful benefit of companionship.
- Stay involved with hobbies, church and social activities and friends to prevent feelings of isolation that winter can bring.
A Harvard University study found that therapies that incorporate activity for seniors have proven effective in treating depression. Studies also have shown the benefits of physical activity in treating depression.
*A much smaller portion of the population experiences SAD during hot, humid summer months. Fewer yet encounter SAD in both winter and summer.
Information courtesy of:
Comfort Keepers
Matt Auker, Owner/Administrator
650 Douglas Ave., Suite 1027
Altamonte Springs, Fl 32714
Telephone: (407) 774 – 4457 or toll free (866) 871 – 5540
Email: altamonte@comfortkeepers.com
www.ComfortKeepers.com/office-228
Oakmonte Village is a new 25-acre luxury senior living community in the heart of prestigious Lake Mary, Florida. Ideally located for ease and convenience, Oakmonte Village is within easy reach of many local Orlando amenities such as parks, walking trails, lakes, and more. For more information on our Senior Living community contact us today.
Julie Fernandez, Director of Marketing
Oakmonte Village at Lake Mary
407-732-5800
www.oakmontevillage.com
Oakmonte Village at Lake Mary is encouraging all of its residents & all seniors to complete the 2010 census. The 2010 Census will help communities receive more that $400 billion in federal funds each year for things such as: Hospital, Job Training Centers, Schools, Senior Centers, Bridges, Tunnels, & Emergency Services.
Forms will be delivered to every residence in the United State & Puerto Rico in March of 2010. The form is a short 10 question form collecting information such as age, sex, race, household relationships and more. The form helps to determine how the money will be allocated to communities across the country.
Your participation in the 2010 Census is vital and required by law, (Section 221, of Title 13 of the U.S. Code). April 1, 2010 is National Census Day & is used as a point of reference for sending your completed forms back in the mail.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding your participation in the 2010 Census, visit the 2010 Census Website for detailed information, FAQ’s, and to learn how you can take part. Oakmonte Village at Lake Mary supports the 2010 Census & highly encourages all citizens to take part.
“The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of 10 years, in such manner as they shall by Law direct.”
– Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution of the United States
Oakmonte Village at Lake Mary is encouraging all of its residents & all seniors to complete the 2010 census. The 2010 Census will help communities receive more that $400 billion in federal funds each year for things such as: Hospital, Job Training Centers, Schools, Senior Centers, Bridges, Tunnels, & Emergency Services.
Forms will be delivered to every residence in the United State & Puerto Rico in March of 2010. The form is a short 10 question form collecting information such as age, sex, race, household relationships and more. The form helps to determine how the money will be allocated to communities across the country.
Your participation in the 2010 Census is vital and required by law, (Section 221, of Title 13 of the U.S. Code). April 1, 2010 is National Census Day & is used as a point of reference for sending your completed forms back in the mail.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding your participation in the 2010 Census, visit the 2010 Census Website for detailed information, FAQ’s, and to learn how you can take part. Oakmonte Village at Lake Mary supports the 2010 Census & highly encourages all citizens to take part.
“The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of 10 years, in such manner as they shall by Law direct.”
– Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution of the United States
While you must be healthy and self-sufficient in order to live in a senior Independent Living community, many household tasks might be part of the community’s service offerings, including laundry, linen service, group meals, local transportation, and planned social and cultural activities.
Some people dream of spending their retirement in a community of peers, where they can enjoy ready access to a wide variety of social, cultural and fitness activities. Others love the idea of moving to a smaller home that is easy to care for, surrounded by similar senior residences. The common denominator in both visions is self-sufficiency.
Among the many senior housing options available, Independent Living provides the greatest versatility and freedom. Independent Living for seniors refers to residence in a compact, easy-to-maintain, private apartment or house within a community of seniors. Any housing arrangement designed exclusively for seniors (generally those age 55+; in some cases the age requirement is 62+) may be classified as an Independent Living community.
Independent Living for seniors is also known as:
- Retirement Communities
- Retirement Homes
- Senior Apartments
- Senior Housing
- Independent Living Communities.
As the name implies, Independent Living is just that: the ability to maintain one’s residence and lifestyle without custodial or medical assistance. If custodial or medical care becomes necessary, residents in Independent Living for seniors are permitted to bring in outside services of their choice.
The key characteristics of Senior Independent Living include:
| Characteristics of Senior Independent Living |
| Activities of Daily Living (dressing, personal care) |
no assistance provided |
| Community Activities (social events, outings, golf, etc.) |
some activities offered |
| Community Services (laundry, cleaning, etc.) |
many services provided |
| Health Services (medications, nursing care) |
none provided |
| Environment (personal freedom) |
residents are independent |
| Overall Health (physical, emotional) |
residents are in generally good health |
Adapted from SeniorHousingNet®
Good candidates for Independent Living
Independent Living is ideal for seniors who:
- are healthy and able to care for themselves;
- want to live independently;
- desire the security to be found in a seniors-only community;
- no longer want to maintain a house;
- prefer to live among their peers;
- can communicate with doctors and caregivers by themselves, or with the help of family or friends, but without the help of trained, onsite staff;
- have enough money to pay for the kind of home they are looking for, or else can be satisfied with subsidized housing.
If a senior needs occasional personal or medical care, they must be able to bring in health care providers from outside the community.
The physical structure of Independent Living facilities is quite diverse. As noted above, any housing arrangement designed exclusively for seniors qualifies as senior Independent Living.
The available communal space depends upon the Independent Living community. Some provide only a small communal sitting room. Others have entire community centers that include dining rooms and recreational facilities. Most Independent Living units include small kitchens, and some communities also offer meals in a communal dining area. The cost of the facility reflects the amount of community space and its designated use.
The most common types of Independent Living communities for seniors are:
- Senior apartments
- Retirement communities
- Low-income housing
Senior Apartments
Senior apartments are apartment complexes restricted by age, usually 55+. Some senior apartments are converted private homes or converted apartment complexes.
When senior complexes are constructed or remodeled from existing structures, assistive technologies such as handrails and pullcords are often built in as an added value for seniors.
Some senior apartment complexes provide community services such as recreational programs, transportation services, and meals in a communal dining room.
Retirement communities are groups of homes or condominiums that are restricted to seniors age 55 and over (or in some cases, 62+). Retirement communities may be:
- single-family or attached homes
- mobile or manufactured homes
- cluster housing
- standard subdivisions
Depending on the particular community, residents may lease or buy their housing unit. Some senior communities are enormous, with residents numbering in the thousands. Others have only a few hundred residents. Again, the services and shared facilities vary.
Low-Income Housing
Many senior apartment complexes are subsidized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Because these apartments are usually rented at below-market rates, waiting lists can take years to turn over. For details see Congregate Housing for Seniors.
What should I look for in an Independent Living for seniors unit?
Regardless of the type of Independent Living situation you choose, you may want to keep some or all of the following considerations in mind in order to find the community that best suits your needs:
- Is parking convenient to your living unit, and is the parking area well lit?
- Is there a security guard or a gated entrance to the facility?
- Is public transportation available?
- Do you want a unit that is built all on one floor, or are stairs OK?
- How close is the Independent Living community to a medical facility and/or your doctor?
- Do amenities such as cabinets and storage space meet your present and possible future needs?
- Is the shower/bathtub adaptable to your needs as you age? (e.g., can grab bars be installed?)
- Are the community services that are provided what you want and need?
Services typically provided
The built-in benefits of senior-only communities are:
- Many peers living nearby with whom to socialize
- Features designed into the housing to provide comfort, security, and safety for seniors
Independent Living facilities often include a number of optional services, including:
Some communities include full-time directors for social or recreational services, while others offer only informal activities. Some facilities even have a social worker on staff to assist in contacting agencies that provide medical or personal care. Many also are gated communities with their own security guards.
Costs of Independent Living facilities for seniors
Because Independent Living options for seniors vary so widely, and given the ongoing market fluctuations in real estate throughout the U.S., there is no way to predict what your particular Independent Living situation might cost. However, there are some guidelines that correlate with the Independent Living options described earlier.
Low End
The lowest cost Independent Living facilities are those that are subsidized by public or private charities, or through HUD. The cost of the subsidized housing is a percentage of the senior resident’s income. Note that Medicare and Medicaid will not cover any portion of your housing payment since they are forms of health insurance, and no healthcare is provided in an Independent Living arrangement.
Mid-range
The next level of Independent Living for seniors is rental facilities. Rental fees are indexed to the cost of luxury housing in your geographic area. In addition to rent, you may incur a monthly charge for services. Depending upon the services used, the monthly fee can be anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
High End
The highest cost Independent Living facilities are planned retirement communities that require buying a home or living unit. The cost of a home is indexed to the cost of other luxury housing in your geographic area. In addition, the shared amenities of the retirement community are figured into a monthly fee. This fee covers taxes, common utilities, and community services.
Adapted from: http://www.helpguide.org/elder/independent_living_seniors_retirement.htm
Oakmonte Village is a new 25-acre luxury senior living community in the heart of prestigious Lake Mary, Florida. Ideally located for ease and convenience, Oakmonte Village is within easy reach of many local Orlando amenities such as parks, walking trails, lakes, and more. For more information on our Senior Living Community contact us today
Julie Fernandez, Director of Marketing
407.732.5800
www.oakmontevillage.com
Develop Your 2020 Vision
In 1999, who could have imagined the end of the dot-com bubble, the growth of the real estate market or the 2008–2009 financial crisis? Looking forward, investors may be wise to consider those volatile “00s” as they position their finances for the next 10 years.Consider adding these resolutions to your list of housecleaning, fitness and leisure time goals:
#1. Learn to save more. A portfolio of stocks purchased in 2000 and left untouched has likely lost some of its value—and may continue performing sluggishly for the next several years. Clearly, great stock market expectations can’t form the basis of your long-term financial strategy.
Saving more of your income makes sense for two reasons: Most importantly, substantial savings can cushion you from suboptimal portfolio returns. What’s more, having cash lets you take advantage of potential bear-market bargains. After all, what good is a single-digit sale price on that once-skyrocketing blue chip if you don’t have the funds to buy it?
#2. Work on your balancing act. As investors tentatively duck in and out of the markets, volatility will likely persist. That’s why it’s wise to build and maintain a mixture of stocks, bonds, cash and other investments in your portfolio that’s in line with a long-term financial strategy.
Market shifts can easily disrupt your allocations. For instance, when stocks nosedived in 2008, your portfolio’s equity weight likely shrank as your allocation to bonds or cash expanded. In that case, a December 2008 re-balancing could have helped keep you on track—and in line to potentially benefit from the mighty comeback that began in March 2009.
But re-balancing makes sense in calmer markets too. When you rebuild assets that have lost ground and liquidate a portion of appreciated assets, you’re more likely to reap the benefits of a buy-low/sell-high scenario. We can work with you to help you develop a re-balancing schedule, along with a strategy for adjusting asset allocations as you respond to market fluctuations.
#3. Protect your home’s value. Borrowing against a home or any other core asset is a useful financial tool, when done judiciously. But when home prices surged early in the last decade, many homeowners saw home equity loans as a safe means of financing everything from home improvements to a second honeymoon in Barcelona. Now, with most real estate markets having experienced a precipitous fall in value, many otherwise prudent investors have learned that with great returns also come great risks. Bottom line: you can’t do much about market rates, but you can certainly maintain as much of your home’s liquidity as possible by borrowing against it with discretion.
The next 10 years could be a decade of uninterrupted prosperity or economic hardship—or anything in between. But regardless of economic and market conditions, sticking to this trio of financial fundamentals can help you achieve your most important goals.
Asset allocation and re-balancing do not protect against a loss in declining financial markets. There may be a potential tax implication with a re-balancing strategy. Please consult your tax advisor before implementing such a strategy.
Past performance is not indicative of future results
This information provided to you by:
JOE KELLY
FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
250 S. Park Avenue, Ste. 500
Winter Park, FL 32789
Phone: (407) 740-4972
Toll Free: (800) 829-5105 ext. 4972
E-mail: Joseph.P.Kelly@MorganStanley.com
Oakmonte Village is a new 25-acre luxury senior living community in the heart of prestigious Lake Mary, Florida. Ideally located for ease and convenience, Oakmonte Village is within easy reach of many local Orlando amenities such as parks, walking trails, lakes, and more. For more information on our Senior Living Community contact us today.
Julie Fernandez, Director of Marketing
Oakmonte Village at Lake Mary
407.732.5800
www.oakmontevillage.com
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Orlando Senior Living | Oakmonte Village February 26, 2010 