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Seniors Guide on How to Qualify & Apply for Medicaid

What is Medicaid? Medicaid is a jointly funded state and federal health insurance program for low-income people of all ages. For the approximately 7.2 million seniors who currently qualify, Medicaid benefits can include medical care, physician visits, non-medical support services such as in-home assistance, and nursing home care. Essentially, if a senior meets both financial and medical criteria, Medicaid will pay nearly all long-term care costs. Applying for Medicaid can be confusing for a number of reasons, not the least of which is it isn’t always called Medicaid. Some states call it Medicaid, others have different names for it. Many senior services come under the umbrella of “Home and Community Based Services, (HCBS). These services can be provided under the regular state Medicaid program, or through Medicaid Waivers. How to Get Medicaid Though there are some federal minimums and maximums, states have some flexibility in setting their financial eligibility rules for Medicaid. After considering both income and assets, your state will apply its formula to determine eligibility. The application process includes a five-year “look back” to determine any transfers of financial resources. When you are applying for Medicaid, it is worth inquiring about spousal impoverishment protections. If it applies to your particular situation, it means one member of a couple can qualify for Medicaid assistance without depleting the assets of both. Medicaid Income Limits States use one of two formulas to determine Medicaid eligibility. There are “income cap” states, that set a hard limit at 3 times the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR). The FBR is the maximum dollar figure paid to individuals that receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). “Non-income cap” states allow applicants who have income over the limit to still qualify for Medicaid if they have high medical bills relative to their income. Get Help Applying for Medicaid There are several resources available to help navigate the applying for Medicaid including: The Area Agency on Aging To find your local branch, check out the National Association on Aging website which lists agencies alphabetically by state. The Medicare State Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Programs (SHIP) To find the program in your state, go to https://www.medicare.gov/ American Council on Aging The American Council on Aging website can direct you to Medicaid planners trained to assist you in the application process. If you think you may be eligible for Medicaid benefits, find a friend or family member who has gone through the process or get the help of an expert. Your health and wellbeing depends on it! Learn more about what sets Overture's Active Adult Communities apart, and how healthy peace of mind can simplify your life.

Important Financial Milestones for Seniors

Financial Milestones Towards Senior Retirement When the kids were growing up and life was always a balance between work and family, time management was a constant battle. Now that you’re in - or near - retirement, your time is finally your own and in abundant supply. At this stage of the game, happiness may hinge on money management. Whether you are leaving the office behind for good, or plan to pursue a second act , there are retirement milestones to consider and prepare for. Check out these financial milestones to make sure your months and your money are an equation that adds up to a fun and fulfilling retirement. Emergency Fund In the years leading up to retirement, prioritize creating a healthy emergency fund. The last thing you need is for an unplanned expense to throw your financial stability into a tailspin. Once you’ve given up your steady paycheck, it is recommended to have three to six months’ worth of living expenses on hand to cover life’s unforeseen circumstances. An Equation for Success: How Your Finances Should Look in Your 60s Unfortunately, there is no absolute guarantee you won’t run short of money in retirement. That said, approaching your golden years with a solid parachute is one step toward protecting the health of your wealth. An IRA or 401 (k) worth roughly 10 times your ending salary, when combined with your social security, is a good way to ensure you will be able to cover your retirement expenses. Understand Social Security Though Social Security will not cover your entire nut, those benefits will certainly be a critical piece of the retirement financial puzzle. Start researching Social Security rules and options in your 50s so you will be ready to make the most of your benefits when you decide to claim them. There is no right or wrong age to file. It’s all about evaluating your personal situation to get the biggest bang for your Social Security buck. Medicare It’s well worth your while to start navigating the Medicare maze well before it’s time to apply. Medicare covers acute care, hospital stays, and doctor visits. You will need to research supplemental insurance and prescription plans to round out your coverage. Eligibility begins at age 65 and the enrollment window starts three months before your 65 th birthday and ends three months after it. FYI Even if you delay your Social Security benefits, you are still eligible for Medicare at 65. Commit to Long-Term Care Insurance It pays to secure long-term care insurance by the time you’re in your 60s. You never know what curve balls life will throw you, and without the right insurance, the heavy cost of long-term care can deplete resources quickly. Waiting too long to apply for long-term care insurance can result in denial or outrageous premiums. Estate Planning Estate planning is one financial milestone we would all rather avoid. But it is a gift that keeps on giving, not only clearly designating your wishes, but alleviating unnecessary stress on loved ones during a very difficult time. It’s important to organize your will and other necessary documents in order to guarantee the legacy you’ve worked so hard for. It’s never too early to prepare for the future . Consider all these financial retirement milestones a framework for the retirement you’ve dreamed of.

How to Practice Chair Yoga for Seniors

So, your body is telling you bungy jumping and professional sports are off the table. It’s the natural order of things. But even if the passage of time has imposed new parameters on your physical activity, there is good news: Where there’s a chair there’s a way! By connecting the mind, body, and spirit, yoga can be extremely beneficial towards bettering your mental and physical health! Effective and accessible for seniors at all fitness levels, chair yoga is taking center stage as a safe, fun, gentle yoga for seniors. Similar to traditional yoga in philosophy, chair yoga allows yogis to practice while seated. Wear and tear on the body is minimized without sacrificing yoga’s many benefits. Benefits of Chair Yoga for Seniors In spite of any limitations one may have, chair yoga can provide an abundance of physical and mental benefits including: Reduced stress Increased flexibility and strength Improved balance Increased range of motion and mobility Increased self-awareness Pain management Better sleep Combats depression and anxiety Promotes a sense of wellbeing Whether you are restricted by ongoing muscular-skeletal issues or recovering from an injury, chair yoga for seniors gently challenges your joints and gets the blood flowing. Check out these chair yoga poses to get started. Overhead Stretch Seated in your armless, stable chair on a flat surface, face forward with your arms down at your sides. Take a long, deep breath and slowly stretch your arms upward to the ceiling. Hold for a moment, then bring your arms back down with a long exhale. Keep your core engaged and your back as straight as possible throughout this stretch. Neck Stretch Sitting straight up, without letting your back touch the back of your chair, extend your neck slowly upward. Think of the crown of your head rising to the ceiling. While holding the base of your chair with your right hand, slowly reach upwards with your left hand to hold your left temple. Take a deep breath and upon exhalation, gently dip your left ear towards your left shoulder without bending your back – or raising your right shoulder. Take several breaths in and out before switching sides. Reverse Arm Hold Keeping your back straight and away from the back of the chair, inhale deeply and reach your arms out straight to your sides at a low wide angle. Exhale slowly and reach your hands behind your back with slightly bent elbows. Arch your back slightly to feel the stretch in your shoulders and take several deep breaths in and out. Chair Pigeon Sit upright, and facing forward, with your back away from the back of the chair. Gently raise your left ankle to rest on top of your right knee or thigh. Use your hands to assist if necessary. Inhale deeply, flex your foot slightly, and bend forward on the exhale. After several deep breaths in the forward position, return to your upright sitting position. Gently switch sides and repeat the above steps. Seated Forward Bend Sit up straight with your knees together and your feet on the floor. Take a deep breath and upon exhaling, slowly bend forward. Feel your back extend one vertebra at a time. Lean as far forward as you can without strain or discomfort. Hold for several deep breaths and return to the upright position. There are more than enough chair yoga poses for seniors to create a satisfying, beneficial practice. So, pull up a chair - on your own or with a buddy - and get this yoga party started. Check out Overture's premier Active Adult Communities to live out your wellness dreams! Namaste.

Best Water Aerobic Exercises for Seniors

As we age, high-impact forms of exercise can become more and more challenging. Painful, stiff joints can make us feel like prisoners in our own bodies. So, how do we keep moving, get the blood flowing and invigorate the spirit without pain or injury? The answer is simple. Take the plunge into water aerobics for seniors. The pool shall set you free! Water’s buoyancy comfortably supports the body, taking the pressure off aggravated body parts and allowing you to move easily and fluidly. The benefits of water exercises for seniors include: Stress relief Building muscle strength Improving cardio Burning calories Improving balance, coordination, and flexibility Boosting immunity Reduce anxiety and stress Improve mood by releasing endorphins to the brain Get in the swim with these basic water aerobics exercises. Flutter Kicks Flutter kicks are water aerobics for seniors 101. With a kickboard: Hold the board in front of you and flutter your legs to propel yourself across the pool. Without a kickboard: Hold onto one side of the pool. Stretch your legs out behind you while keeping your head above water and kick. Kick at a steady pace for as long as you feel comfortable. Leg Swings Leg swings are a great exercise for leg strength and hip flexibility. Stand with your side to the edge of the pool in water deep enough to reach your low back. Hold onto the edge of the pool. Swing the outside leg forward and hold for five seconds. Keep the other leg straight. Swing the outside leg backward and hold for five seconds. Repeat in the other direction. Arm Curls Arm curls are a great way to increase upper body strength. You will need a pair of water weights. Standing in the middle of the pool, hold the weights directly out in front of you. Keep your palms facing away from you. Curl the weights up and then back down. Repeat until arms feel tired. Arm curls can also be performed with palms facing toward you like traditional bicep curls. Arm Circles Arm circles will get your heart pumping while strengthening your shoulders and upper back. Find an area along the edge of the pool where the water is deep enough to be up to your neck. Stand with one foot in front of you and one foot behind you. Lift your arms out to the side until they are just below the surface of the water. Keep your arms straight and your palms down. Move your arms in a circular motion. Continue moving your arms in a circular motion for 10-15 seconds in one direction. Repeat in the other direction. Water Marching Marching in the water uses resistance to work your heart as well as your whole body. Find a spot where the water reaches your chest. Stand straight and extend your arms and legs as far as possible in a marching motion. Keep your toes pointed and move your arms vigorously. March until your feel you’ve been working out! Calf Raises Work your calves and promote lower body strength with a series of calf raises. Stand in waist-deep water near the edge of the pool or ladder. Shift your weight to the balls of your feet. Lift up onto your heels to stand on your toes. Hold for a few seconds. Lower down to your heels. Repeat 10 times. Water workouts are a perfect alternative – or addition – to a more traditional gym regimen. Water aerobics classes for seniors abound. If you are lucky enough to live in one of Overture’s premier active adult communities , a painless, beneficial, uplifting water aerobics class with friends is but steps out your door. Time to make a splash!

Best Discounts Available for Active Adults Over 50

Congratulations! You’ve turned 50. There are two words you’ll be happy to hear—and they’re not happy birthday. Senior Discounts! As you contemplate the path to retirement—and a future with, how shall we say, a less vigorous influx of cash—senior discounts can help even out the equation. With a little detective work, many of these price breaks can be yours beginning at age 50. Remember, though there are senior citizen discounts available for virtually every service or activity you can think of, nobody is going to offer them to you. So, whether you are looking to save some money dining, flying, museum hopping or bungy jumping, don’t forget to ask! They say the grandkids can soak up your retirement money even faster than the IRS. A good eye for senior savings may provide just that cushion you need to indulge them to your heart’s content. AARP Now When searching out the best senior discounts, AARP is a great place to start. Their mobile app, AARP Now, is compatible with both Iphones and Androids and will connect you to an entire universe of discounts. Categories include retailers, restaurants, entertainment, travel, groceries and hosts of others. Find benefits, discounts, and limited time offers or browse by category and chart new territory. Eligibility for most discounts starts at age 50, but there are even more senior discounts over 55. Groupon Senior Discounts Club Groupon Seniors Discount Club is another app dedicated to providing savings opportunity info. From transportation, to dining to entertainment, Groupon offers great incentives for making the most of retirement. Restaurants Senior discounts at restaurants come in all kinds of savings. From a free beverage with a meal to 20% off any menu item. Every restaurant has different age parameters. Movie Theaters Movie theater chains like AMC, Regal and Cinemark have always offered discounted tickets for seniors. But, again, the kid at the ticket window is not going to automatically assume your young looking, active adult self qualifies for the savings. Don’t be shy! Travel and Hotels Hotels, rental companies, and cruise lines offer great travel discounts for seniors, with many breaks available for 50+. Once you get where you’re going, you’ll find seniors welcomed with lower prices at tourist attractions like museums, zoos, aquariums, and parks. Grocery Stores and Drugstores Grocery stores and drugstores have their own individual deals for seniors. Typically, senior discounts at grocery stores are available on specified days of the week. You may need to ask for a special discount card. Drugstores often offer senior discounts of up 20% one day each month. Department Stores It’s definitely worth a trip to the service desk to find out the days your department store will offer the most bang for your senior buck. The big 50 means you are on, or about to get on, the retirement train. You may not have exactly boarded the train yet, but you are certainly lined up at that metaphorical ticket window. Don’t forget to ask for your discount!

How to Make Fitness More Enjoyable for Active Adults

With fitness being one of the top 7 dimensions of wellness , nobody is arguing the importance of fitness plans for seniors. Staying strong and flexible is the key to maintaining quality of life as we age. But, how we achieve this goal is definitely up for discussion. Yes, we should push ourselves to our comfortable limits and give our muscles a workout. But we certainly don’t have to overdo it! Working up a sweat can be joyful as well as beneficial. When you are considering different exercise options, make sure to remember to emphasize how fun it can be! Here are a few options to consider as you seek an exercise plan that works for both body and mood. Explore New Territory Nothing gets the blood flowing like trying something new. For some, at this time of year, that may mean joining a weekly mall walking group. Take a brisk, invigorating walk and then reward yourself with lively conversation and the coffee of your choice. Now is also a great time to try a new fitness class. Rightsize into any Overture active adult community and choose from an unlimited list of senior fitness classes designed specifically to maximize your fitness level without increasing your risk of injury. Whether you shake your body in a dance class , gently improve strength and balance with tai chi, or join a stretch and tone class, you will spend safe, quality time with friends while supporting your wellbeing. It may not be listed in the class description but be advised to expect plenty of laughter and fun! Grab the Grandkids What could be more fun than combining physical activity and an adventure with the grandkids? No matter what you do with them, they will keep you moving. As if you needed an excuse to hang with the little ones, now you have added incentive to plan regular outings. Visit the zoo, find a nearby playground, or hike in the park. Whatever activity you choose will benefit your body, mind and spirit. Play in the Pool Swimming laps or joining a water aerobics class is always a senior fitness fan favorite. Soothing for both body and mind, water based low impact exercise will build strength and endurance as it helps relax your cares away. Make it a Party Any exercise program is more fun with a group. If you choose to workout at home , pick your favorite online class, invite a friend or two, and make it a party. Keep the chips and dip handy for a post workout snack. You will have earned it! F ocus on Fun—and Function Trainers are developing programs that pay attention to balance, core strength, endurance and multi joint flexibility—all of which are necessary to function in life. A body primed to tackle daily tasks like reaching high shelves to put things away, bending to make the bed, or puttering in the garden requires a more comprehensive approach than a few bicep curls. Trainers and classes at Overture’s premier active adult communities are dedicated to putting the fun in functional fitness. There is no wrong answer to the question of what type of exercise you enjoy. As long as you are mindful of your limitations and careful to minimize the risk of injury , any exercise is the right choice. Remember, a body at rest will stay at rest. A body in motion will make active adult life the best it can be!