Is Independent Living for You?

Top Four Reasons to Move to an Independent Living Facility

There are many different reasons why retired adults decide to move into an Independent Living facility. Before making any specific decisions, however, be sure to explore all your options. Seek out the perfect fit for you or your loved one by considering these four advantages to moving to an Independent Living facility.

1. Neighbors.
At an independent living facility, you’ll meet lots of people your age since these communities are usually for retired adults. There’s a whole socializing aspect behind these retirement communities that can help improve the quality of life for those who are tired of living in the larger-scale home they’ve lived in for years and years. The neighbors you meet will become the friends you see regularly at all the events and activities the independent living facility has to offer.

2. Activities.
Think of an independent living facility as an upscale college campus. There’s lots to do and many clubs and activities to join. With various meeting, group activities, and frequent classes, you’ll be able to socialize and get to learn something you may have always wanted to know. The best part of this is that you may choose to be involved as much or as little as you’d like because it is independent living. The possibilities for involvement are endless.

3. Security and Freedom.
Since an independent living facility is one in which you may live in your own apartment while enjoying more social interaction, you can come and go as you please. This gives you the opportunity to still live like you would have at your previous house, going on vacations as you please. At the same time, independent living facilities have security services that create a safe community and place to live so there’s never a reason to feel like your personal belongings will not be secure while you’re away or even late at night.

4. Household Help.
Many retired adults choose to move to an independent living facility because they no longer desire to take care of that big house that once housed their larger family. All that space is no longer necessary. In addition to downscaling, many independent living facilities offer cleaning and dining services, on top of landscaping. It’ll give you the opportunity to really take advantage of your free time as a retired adult, rather than keeping you chained to daunting household chores.

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 at 407-732-5800.

Turning 65? What You Need to Know about Signing up for Medicare

The first of the 78 million baby boomers turned 65 on January 1, 2011, and some 10,000 boomers a day will reportedly be turning 65 between now and 2030. If you are among those about to turn 65, then it is time to think about Medicare. You become eligible for Medicare as soon as you turn 65, and delaying your enrollment can result in penalties, so it is important to act right away.

There are a number of different options to consider when signing up for Medicare. Medicare consists of four major programs: Part A covers hospital stays, Part B covers physician fees, Part C permits Medicare beneficiaries to receive their medical care from among a number of delivery options, and Part D covers prescription medications. In addition, Medigap policies offer additional coverage to individuals enrolled in Parts A and B.

Medicare enrollment begins three months before your 65th birthday and continues for 7 months. If you are currently receiving Social Security benefits, you don’t need to do anything. You will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B effective the month you turn 65. If you do not receive Social Security benefits, then you will need to sign up for Medicare by calling the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 or online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly/. It is best to do it as early as possible so your coverage begins as soon as you turn 65.

If you are still working and have an employer or union group health insurance plan, it is possible you do not need to sign up for Medicare Part B right away. You will need to find out from your employer whether the employer’s plan is the primary insurer. If Medicare, rather than the employer’s plan, is the primary insurer, then you will still need to sign up for Part B. Even if you aren’t going to sign up for Part B, you should still enroll in Medicare Part A, which may help pay some of the costs not covered by your group health plan.

If you don’t have an employer or union group health insurance plan, or that plan is secondary to Medicare, it is extremely important to sign up for Medicare Part B during your initial enrollment period. If you do not sign up for Part B right away, then you will be subject to a penalty. Your Medicare Part B premium may go up 10 percent for each 12-month period that you could have had Medicare Part B, but did not take it. In addition, you will have to wait for the general enrollment period to enroll. The general enrollment period usually runs between January 1 and March 31 of each year. 

With all the deductibles, copayments and coverage exclusions, Medicare pays for only about half of your medical costs. Much of the balance not covered by Medicare can be covered by purchasing a so-called “Medigap” insurance policy from a private insurer. You can search online for a Medigap policy in your area at http://www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/questions/medigap-home.aspx. 

Medicare also offers Medicare Part C (also called Medicare Advantage). You must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B to join a Medicare Advantage plan, the name for private health plans that operate under the Medicare program. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, the plan will provide all of your Part A and Part B coverage, and it may offer extra coverage, such as vision, hearing, dental, and/or health and wellness programs. Most such plans include Medicare prescription drug coverage. 

Finally, Medicare offers prescription drug coverage under Medicare Part D. If you are not going to sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage, then you will want to enroll in a prescription drug plan at the same time you sign up for Parts A and B. For every month you delay enrollment past the initial enrollment period, your Medicare Part D premium will increase at least 1 percent. You are exempt from these penalties if you did not enroll because you had drug coverage from a private insurer, such as through a retirement plan, at least as good as Medicare’s. This is called “creditable coverage.” Your insurer should let you know if their coverage will be considered creditable. Visit the Medicare Web site at http://www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/questions/medigap-home.aspxto find a drug plan in your area. 

After you’ve signed up for Medicare Part B, you can schedule a free “Welcome to Medicare” exam with your doctor.

Article courtsey of the Law Office of Kathleen Flammia.

At the Law Office of Kathleen Flammia, we protect your future, your way. Kathleen Flammia is a board certified Elder Law lawyer, specializing in the areas of Medicaid and Long Term Care Planning, Probate, Estate Planning, Guardianships and other related services directed at protecting you and the distribution of your assets.

Our Orlando, Florida based legal counsel focuses upon the needs of seniors and disabled individuals and their families, especially in the difficult area of Medicaid issues. We help clients navigate the complicated legal system that is characteristic of addressing these needs.

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 Communities contact us today at 407-732-5800.