Varian Law LLC

When Should You Start Drawing Social Security Retirement Benefits?

“Evaluating when to start drawing Social Security can affect your taxes and how big your retirement check will be for the rest of your life.”

The question of when you should start collecting your Social Security retirement benefits is different from the age at which you should stop working. You can quit working, but wait to start drawing a Social Security check. You can also keep working past the age at which you qualify for retirement benefits, and choose whether you want to get your “day job” paycheck and a Social Security check, or wait until a later date to start getting your check from Uncle Sam.

Evaluating when to start drawing Social Security can affect your taxes and how big your retirement check will be for the rest of your life. Here are 3 tips for deciding when to start drawing Social Security retirement benefits.

1. If You Plan to Quit Working Before Your Full Retirement Age, Delay Collecting Social Security if Possible

The amount of money you get every month as Social Security retirement benefits will depend on:

• How much you paid into the Social Security system. A person who earned $100,000 a year paid more in Social Security and Medicare taxes than someone who made $20,000 a year. The higher wage-earner will get a larger Social Security retirement check than the lower wage-earner. Your highest earning years are likely to be toward the end of your career.
• How long you paid into the Social Security system. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will calculate the amount of your monthly check using your average taxable wages for your 35 highest-earning years. If you did not work for 35 years, all the years you did not work will count as $0 each, which will bring down your average earnings. Working a few more years can prevent this from happening.
• Your age when you retire. You will get your entire amount of retirement benefits if you wait until full retirement age to start drawing your Social Security checks. Full retirement age used to be age 65, but it is now between 65 and 67, depending on the year of your birth. If you start getting benefits before your full retirement age, the SSA will penalize you with lower checks for the rest of your life. Waiting until age 70 will add a substantial bonus to your checks.

To maximize the amount of your Social Security check consider delaying when you start drawing your checks until your full retirement age, or until age 70.

2. Working During Retirement Can Reduce Your Social Security Check

If you start collecting your Social Security benefits and then decide to work either full-time or part-time, the government might keep part of your Social Security checks. If you are below your full retirement age, they will cut your check by $1 for every $2 you make above that year’s limit.

In the months before full retirement age, the SSA will keep $1 for every $3 you earn over the annual maximum. Once you hit full retirement age, you can work and earn as much as you want without any reduction of your Social Security check.

3. There is More to Life Than Money

If you are a person who prefers to live in the moment and not stress about what is going to happen years down the road, you might want to go ahead and start drawing your Social Security check as soon as you feel like it, regardless the long-term financial consequences. Delayed gratification can make some people so unhappy that having the money right now is worth the financial penalty. Only you can make the call on this issue.

References:

Bankrate. “Best Age for Social Security retirement benefits.” (accessed October 6, 2018) https://www.bankrate.com/retirement/when-to-take-social-security/

Tips for Deciding When to Retire

“While financial issues are essential to deciding when to retire, they are not the only factors you should consider.”

If you ask people when they plan to retire, they might respond that they plan to work until they get carried out in a box. Another person might plan on retiring the day he hits Social Security’s early retirement date.  However, many people have not made a plan and have no idea if or when they will get to quit working.

Financial experts advise to save millions of dollars before you retire so you do not run out of money in your old age. They also suggest that you have no debt, including a mortgage.  Therefore, it is not surprising that people get discouraged about ever getting to retire.  

Here are 3 tips for deciding when to retire, without imposing challenging goals that most people cannot reach.

1. Maximize Social Security, but Do Not Count on It

Although you can collect Social Security before your “full retirement age” if you qualify, your monthly Social Security retirement check will be much less than if you wait until you reach full retirement age or later to start collecting your hard-earned benefits. There is a massive difference between the amount of Social Security you will receive at age 62, 65, 67, and 70.

A person who would get $2,102 a month at age 62 will get $3,721 every month if she waits until age 70 to start collecting Social Security. The eight extra years of benefits checks have to count for something, but if she lives into her early 80s after retiring at age 70, her higher monthly checks will catch up for those payments. She will reach her “break-even” point and every month after that she is ahead in the game, with more than $1,600 extra in her monthly check over someone who took early retirement.

Keep in mind that, even with maximizing the amount of Social Security you can collect, you should not count on your Social Security check for 100 percent of your living expenses in retirement. Anything can happen by the time you retire and in the years after you quit working.

2. Think About Longevity – Your Health and Your Family’s Track Record

If you have a health condition that is likely to take some years off of your life, taking early retirement might make financial sense for you. On the other hand, if a good number of people in your family lived into triple digits, your best bet might be to work until you are 70.

Bear in mind that retiring early might leave you without health insurance until age 65. If your spouse depends on you for health insurance, realize that he or she will not be eligible for Medicare until age 65, regardless of how old you are.

3. Consider the Psychological Issues of Retirement

While financial issues are essential to deciding when to retire, they are not the only factors you should consider. Some people are miserable after they stop working. If you love your job, you might feel adrift after you retire.

This possibility does not mean you have to stay at your job for the rest of your life. Many people find a sense of purpose by starting a new career or business or volunteering locally or through organizations, like the Peace Corps, after they quit their “day job.”

You should evaluate your finances, health, and happiness, when making the decision about when to retire. Talking with a local elder law attorney can help you prepare and plan for your golden years.

References:

Psychology Today. “At What Age Should You Retire?” (accessed October 6, 2018) https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/201104/what-age-should-you-retire

CNBC. “Social Security ‘break-even’ calculations can be misleading.” (accessed October 6, 2018) https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/13/those-social-security-break-even-calculations-can-be-misleading.html

Which Medicare Plan Should You Choose?

“Medicare programs are not “one size fits all,” so how can you figure out which coverage is optimal for you?”

Trying to unravel the multiple pieces and many options of Medicare could try anyone's patience.  Medicare has multiple components, and some coverage plans contain pieces of several parts of Medicare.  Of course, the companies that sell Medicare Advantage and supplemental coverage will tell you that their product is the best.

You only have a brief window of time to choose your coverage every year. It helps to know what you want before the open enrollment period begins. You should re-evaluate your coverage every year because plans can change annually, and so can your needs.  Medicare programs are not “one size fits all,” so how can you figure out which coverage is optimal for you? Here are 3 tips for choosing a Medicare plan.

1. Learn Your Options

Medicare’s website has a treasure trove of material that explains what “Original Medicare” covers. If you stay with original Medicare (Parts A and B), you might want to buy separate coverage (Part D) for prescription drug benefits. You do not have to stick with original Medicare, though. You could opt for a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan. Some MA plans include drug coverage, but others do not.

The premiums, deductibles, co-pays, available doctors and hospitals and services covered will vary from one MA plan to the next. Whether you buy original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, you might want to purchase supplemental coverage to help pay some of the expenses (like co-pays and deductibles) that your program does not cover. Try to find a coverage package that fits your budget, health status and anticipated future needs. The perfect plan for your neighbor might be all wrong for you.

2. Ask Questions

To make a meaningful comparison between different plans, you need to look at the same factors of each option. Ask questions about these topics for each type of coverage:

• Whether the doctors who already treat you will accept the plan.
• Which doctors in your area accept the coverage.
• Whether the plan limits you to physicians and hospitals in the plan’s network.
• If the plan makes you get a referral from your primary care physician to see a specialist.
• How much your premiums will cost.
• Your out-of-pocket and maximum annual costs for deductibles, co-pays, doctor appointments and hospitalization.
• Whether your prescription drugs are covered and how much your portion of the cost will be.
• Whether the pharmacy you use now will accept the plan, and whether the coverage allows you to get your drugs through the mail.

3. Make Notes

Create your own “cheat sheet” to make your annual evaluations of your Medicare options a breeze. Write down the information you gathered, when answering the questions. Put those notes into a “Medicare Options” folder with a brief explanation of why you chose the plan you did, and why you did not select the other programs.

Next year, the process will be quicker and easier. It is important to realize, however, that the companies can and do make occasional changes to their coverage. Make sure to verify that the information is still current from one year to the next.

The available coverage will be different, depending on the state where you live. Every state also has different laws, so be sure that you meet with an elder law attorney in your area. 

References:

AARP. “How to Choose a Medicare Plan.” (accessed October 6, 2018) https://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-insurance/info-2017/choosing-medicare-plan.html

AARP. “10 Questions to Ask When Selecting a Medicare Plan.” (accessed October 6, 2018) https://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-insurance/info-01-2011/understanding_medicare_your_checklist.html

U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. “Your Medicare coverage choices.” (accessed October 6, 2018) https://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/your-medicare-coverage-choices

How to Handle Family Conflicts Over Aging Parents

If you and your siblings fought like cats and dogs when you were kids, it should come as no surprise that you do not reach agreement easily when it comes to critical issues that involve your aging parents. Even people who usually played nicely as children can want to throttle each other when talking about Mom and Dad’s medical care or a nursing home. Here are some tips on how to handle family conflicts over aging parents.

Conflictus Interruptus

The best way to win the fight is to avoid it in the first place. As Ben Franklin famously said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Anticipate the issues you are likely to face and talk about them, before they become crises. People usually are more rational when emotions are running low.

Sometimes people will disagree with each other merely to be stubborn. No matter what position you take on an issue, they will, as a knee-jerk reaction, insist on a contrary result. If you discuss topics ahead of time and do not state your position, however, you might find that you and your siblings are closer to agreement than you expected.

Get Outside Help

Your family is not the first one to struggle with making group decisions. Thankfully, family counselors or mediators handle these situations for a living. Some people make the mistake of waiting until their relationships have suffered irreparable damage before they seek professional assistance with family conflict. Ideally, you and your siblings will talk with a family counselor or mediator while you can still reach common ground.

You Cannot Fix Every Problem

One of the hardest lessons to learn is that you cannot fix everything. No matter how hard you try, you might not be able to reach an accord with a disagreeable sibling. Even though the issue under consideration might be vital for your parent’s well-being, you might have to step aside and let your sibling have her way. It will not help your parents for you to get sucked into your sibling’s drama.

Let It Go

Regardless of how your family members behave during the discussion and decision process, eventually this issue will be behind you. At that point, you should move forward. Do not hold onto anger or resentment. Holding a grudge will make you bitter and make your sibling think that he won.

Why Adult Children Can Struggle to Get Along

Old hurts die hard. If you feel that you did not receive fair treatment in your family as a child, you might experience a visceral reaction if you have to work cooperatively with these people as an adult. You grew up and built your own life, and might prefer not to have to interact with them.

You might feel righteous indignation about current unfairness if you think you are doing the lion’s share of the work of caring for your aging parents. You might push back against a sibling who tries to control everyone but does not do her share of the work.

Parents do not always treat their children equally. If your parent had an obvious favorite child who is likely to receive a disproportionately large portion of the inheritance, the other children might team up against any decision that sibling wants to make.

Meeting with an elder law attorney is another strategy for resolving sibling conflicts about parental care.

References:

A Place for Mom. “Family Conflicts Over Elderly Parents.” (accessed September 28, 2018 https://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/when-siblings-clash-about-parents-care/

Good Reads. “Benjamin Franklin Quotes.” (accessed September 29, 2018) https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/247269-an-ounce-of-prevention-is-worth-a-pound-of-cure

What to Do When an Aging Loved One Won’t Take Your Advice

“In some extreme situations, you might need to talk with an elder law attorney about getting a power of attorney or guardianship for your aging parent.”

Your aging parent makes decisions that you think are not in her best interests. You talk with her about it, but she digs in her heels and persists in the behavior. Even when she suffers adverse consequences, she stubbornly continues, as if to spite you. Sometimes you may wonder who is the parent and who is the child. Experts have some advice on what to do when an aging loved one won’t take your advice.

Oops, I Did It Again

Your older parent repeatedly does something that makes you wonder what he was thinking. You have talked with him about this before and he knew better. Nonetheless, he did what he wanted again and you had to pick up the pieces.

Let’s say your parents decide to move 1,000 miles away from you to a two-story house, even though they have fallen several times. They are in their eighties and have multiple health issues that make them medically fragile, yet they refuse to accept outside help. Every time one of them falls and ends up in the hospital, you drop what you are doing and jump on an airplane to help. If they would move into an assisted living center near you, things would be better for both them and you. However, they refuse to do so.

Try to Figure Out the Motive

There are many potential reasons why an aging parent might behave like this. Some commons motivations in this situation are:

• She is trying to prove that she is still independent. Even making the wrong decision can feel gratifying to a person, who feels she is losing control over her life. If you have become over-controlling, your parent might want to push back. Make sure you do not treat your aging parents like infants. They did manage to rear you and took care of themselves for many decades without you telling them what to do.
• He wants attention. Elderly people are often lonely. If one of your parents dies, do not be surprised if the surviving parent expects you to fill the gap of missing attention, whether he is aware of this assumption or not. If he does not get as much of your time as he wants, he might escalate things and do something careless. If this behavior results in him getting injured, you will rush to the hospital and he will get the attention he desires.
• She has always behaved like this, but she used to be able to deal with the consequences by herself. Now that you have to step in, you realize how disruptive her choices can be.
• He is experiencing cognitive decline. He might not be making poor decisions intentionally. He might be suffering the ravages of time, or be in the early stages of dementia.

How to Keep Your Aging Parent’s Choices from Over-Stressing You

Dealing with difficult people can be a challenge. If understanding the cause of the behavior does not help to solve the problem for you, consider these strategies:

• Pick your battles. If you are not likely to care about it five years from now, just smile and ignore the behavior.
• Try a guilt trip. If the issue is critical and nothing else works, use a good old-fashioned head game, such as encouraging your parent to quit smoking for the sake of the grandchildren.
• Shrug your shoulders. Your parents are adults. They have the right to make their own choices, even if you do not agree with them. Accept the fact that sometimes things will go wrong and all you can do is love them. Realize that, at the end of the day, the only behavior you can completely control is your own.

In some situations, you might need to talk with an elder law attorney about obtaining guardianship over your aging parent.

References:

A Place for Mom “8 Expert Tips for When Aging Parents Won’t Listen.” (accessed September 28, 2018 https://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/2-25-15-expert-tips-when-parents-wont-listen/

How to Handle Your Aging Loved One’s Dementia Behavior Problems

No matter how much you love your spouse or older relative, his dementia can cause him to behave in ways that challenge even the most patient among us. You might already know that his actions are because of changes in the brain from the disease. However, it can be frustrating to deal with day after day. Here are some strategies for handling some of the common situations that arise with people who have dementia:

Confusion About Where They Live

Seniors often wander away from long-term care facilities because they are trying to go home. If they feel as if they are not safe or do not have any control over their lives at the nursing home, they are more likely to try to go back to where they used to live.

Alzheimer’s disease relentlessly attacks cognitive functions. Therefore, the confusion is not going to go away on its own. His impaired cognitive function also makes extensive explanations pointless. The conversation will only frustrate your loved one because the disease prevents him from processing what you are saying.

It is important to realize that he is doing the best he can. He might be frightened. Rather than trying to reason with him, redirect him with something he enjoys. Take a walk together, get a coffee or snack, show pictures of the grandkids, or talk about a subject he can still follow.

Mood Swings

Rapid mood changes are common in dementia. Your loved one might be sweet one moment, and then, out of the blue, say mean and hurtful things to you. You need to realize three things:

• Most likely, you did not do anything to cause the change in behavior.
• Your relative would have lashed out at anyone who was nearby, so it was probably not personal, even though it felt as if it was.
• The dementia is likely causing the mood swings, so you probably do not have to worry about whether she is developing bipolar disorder or some other mental health issue, in addition to her dementia.

Verbal or Physical Aggression

Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia can rob a person of their ability to communicate what she is feeling. For example, your loved one might be in physical pain, but she cannot put together a sentence that would convey that concept to you. Instead, she shoves, kicks, hits, or bites whoever comes within range. Other common triggers for aggressive behavior in dementia patients include feeling afraid or helpless.

Try to figure out what might be causing the behavior. She might be:

• Hungry and experiencing low blood sugar levels, because she did not eat the previous meal. Check with the staff to see how much she has been eating and drinking.
• Sad and afraid because a friend died. Ask the staff about deaths or other upsetting events at the memory care facility.
• In pain. Request a pain assessment from the nurse or doctor.

Whatever you do, do not argue with her or express anger at her aggression. Those reactions will escalate the situation.

Errors in Thinking

A person with dementia might suddenly be unable to perform a mental function, like calculating the tip at a restaurant. He might accuse relatives or the staff of stealing from him. Try to reassure him.

Do your best to prevent embarrassment or frustration. Ask him if the bank might be making a mistake if you suspect that he is not keeping up with bill-paying. You can offer to help with the task. Do not belittle him or accuse him of being unable to take care of himself.

Be sure to discuss the situation with an elder law attorney near you.

References:

A Place for Mom. “Dementia Care Dos & Don’ts: Dealing with Dementia Behavior Problems.” (accessed September 28, 2018) https://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/2013-02-08-dealing-with-dementia-behavior/

Does Your Parent Need a Geriatric Care Manager?

Adults trying to care for their aging parents can feel pulled in many directions at one time. You are trying to earn a living, support your family and save for your retirement. You do not have time to research 20 new things, like Social Security, Medicare plans, assisted living communities, medical services and the litany of other topics your older parents are now facing.

Fortunately, there are professionals who specialize in handling these issues. It could take you many hours trying to learn all the things you need to know to help your parents make their crucial decisions, or you could hire a geriatric care manager.

What Geriatric Care Managers Do?

Geriatric care managers specialize in managing senior care. They can help your family to formulate a plan that meets the needs of your older relative, his caregivers and other relatives. A GCM can:

• Inform your family of senior living choices, medical services and funding programs.
• Facilitate difficult discussions and address your family’s concerns.
• Perform an assessment of your parent’s status and needs.
• Create short-term and long-term care plans for your aging loved one.

If you do not already have these skills or this knowledge, a GCM might be a useful resource for your parents. You can hire a GCM for a one-time assessment of your parent’s needs. They can advise you about the available options, or you can keep the GCM involved on an ongoing basis.

How to Pay for a Geriatric Care Manager

Even though they can help people save money on the costs of medical care, short-term care and long-term care, Medicare will not reimburse you for the services of a geriatric care manager. Some insurance plans will cover the expenses, but most do not.

An initial evaluation of your parent’s needs can cost hundreds of dollars, if not more, and it will likely be out-of-pocket. Some families split up the expense among several people, knowing that in the long run, using a GCM might save them thousands of dollars.

Using a Geriatric Care Manager versus Do-It-Yourself

Do not assume that you would accomplish results in the same amount of time a geriatric care manager (GCM) could. It might take you 10 or 20 hours of finding and reading material online just to be prepared to make an educated guess about a decision for which a GCM already knows the answer.

References:

A Place for Mom. “Do You Need a Geriatric Care Manager?” (accessed September 28, 2018) https://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/do-you-need-a-geriatric-care-manager/

Tips for Communicating with a Dementia Patient

Your loved one with dementia might have days in which he seems to be lost in his own world. No matter what you try, you cannot break through that shell. He looks right through you and says nothing. You wonder if you will ever have another meaningful conversation with him, even if he remembers who you are.

Depending on his stage of Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia, the following tips for communicating with a dementia patient might help you to open the shell from time to time. Do not expect earth-shattering results overnight. These communication techniques for dementia require patience and practice.

• Have realistic expectations. There is still no cure for dementia. Your loved one’s disease will get worse, not better. She cannot help it or control it. The disease is changing her brain. She is not shutting you out intentionally.
• Highs and lows. While in general, his condition will decline, he will still have some good days. When he has a more lucid day than usual, however, brace yourself for the reality that tougher days will follow.
• Avoid the abstract. Rather than referring to the holidays, identify what you mean in concrete terms, like Thanksgiving or Christmas. Use the names of people as your loved one thinks of them. For example, if you are talking to your grandmother, use your mother’s actual name instead of calling her Mom. This will help your grandmother to not get confused and think that you meant your great-grandmother. You should also use your own name when you greet your loved one, like, “Hi, Grandma. It’s me, Susan.”
• Keep the conversation on one topic at a time. Talking with a dementia patient is no time to hop around from one subject to another. Pick a topic and stick with it for a while. Jumping from one thing to the next too quickly will make your loved one conversationally dizzy.
• How you speak matters. Speak clearly and at a moderate pace. Enunciate your words. Pay attention to whether you mumble or drop off at the end of your sentences. Do not speak too loudly. Shouting at a confused person only exacerbates the stress and confusion. Do not patronize or condescend. Be respectful and kind.
• Give him time to answer. Sometimes people think that a person with dementia is non-verbal, when in reality, they did not give him enough time to respond. The disease is damaging areas of his brain, so it might take longer for him to process your words, formulate a response and come up with the words to express his answer. Slow down and give him a chance to participate in the conversation.
• Do not nitpick. It does not matter if she makes a mistake or remembers something incorrectly. No one likes to be put under a microscope. Do not correct every little misstatement that she makes. Just enjoy the fact that you are having another conversation with her. If you constantly correct her, she might give up and stop talking to you.
• Do everything in your power to make the visit calm and pleasant. One day, you will only have your memories of these times with your loved one. Focus on the things that are important – making happy memories and letting him know that you care about him. The rest is just details.

If your loved one suffers from dementia, be sure to meet with an elder law attorney near you.

References:

A Place for Mom. “Communication Strategies for Dementia.” (accessed September 28, 2018) https://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/communication-with-a-loved-one-with-dementia/

Do the 2018 Tax Changes Impact Your Retirement Planning?

At first, it seemed as if people could talk about nothing but the new tax laws of 2018. Emotionally-charged rhetoric vacillated between those who swore that the tax code changes would destroy the economy and those who were sure that prosperity was just around the bend.

In particular, many feared the proposals that would have taken away the deduction for contributing to your retirement account and reduced the maximum amount you are allowed to contribute to your plan. Since these proposals are not in the law that passed, we do not have to worry about them. In fact, the new tax code has little impact on your retirement savings. Here is how the 2018 tax changes can impact your retirement planning:

You Can Save More Because of the New Lower Tax Rates – for a While

Most working Americans have a lower tax rate under the 2018 tax code changes, so they have access to more funds to put away for their retirement years.  However, like so many tax code provisions, the tax rates are temporary. In 2026, the new lower rates end and we will have the previous rates – or whatever rates become law by then. Therefore, if you want to take advantage of the opportunity to contribute more money to your retirement account, now is the time.

Roth versus Traditional IRA Accounts

Because the new lower tax rates might make the deductibility of a traditional IRA less of a tax advantage than it used to be, some experts suggest that you consider putting some of your dollars into a Roth IRA. With a Roth, you do not get a tax deduction now, but when you access the funds down the road, you will not get hit with taxes on the qualified distributions.

Contribution Limits for Retirement Plans

Since the proposed limits on contributions to retirement accounts ended up on the cutting room floor and not in the final version of the new tax code, you can still make these salary deferral contributions (in 2018):

• If you have a 401(k), 403(b), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), 457, or SARSEP, you can contribute up to $18,500 or all of your compensation, whichever number is lower. People age 50 and over can save an extra $6,000 as a catch-up contribution.
• You can contribute up to $12,500 or all of your compensation, whichever is lower, into a Simple IRA. The catch-up limit for people 50+ is $3,000.
• A SEP IRA allows you to save $55,000 or one-fourth of your compensation, whichever is lower.
• Traditional and Roth IRAs limit you to $5,500 or all of your earned income, whichever is lower, and a $1,000 catch-up maximum for people age 50 plus.

The Bottom Line

Not much changed with the new tax laws with respect to retirement plans, but you might be able to use the extra money in your pocket from the lower tax rates to shovel a little more into your retirement savings. If nothing else, taking a look at the status of your retirement savings is a useful exercise that could help you avoid an unpleasant surprise down the road.

The article is not tax or financial planning advice. You should consult with your professional advisors about any questions you may have.  

References:

USAA. “How the New Tax Law Affects Retirement Savings Strategies.” (accessed September 20, 2018) https://communities.usaa.com/t5/Financial-Advice-Blog/How-the-New-Tax-Law-Affects-Retirement-Savings-Strategies/ba-p/166445

Keeping Seniors Safe During Hurricanes and Other Natural Disasters

“Senior citizens are more likely to die in wildfires, hurricanes, heat waves, tornadoes, and other natural disasters.”

In the wake of Hurricane Florence, where entire cities were evacuated in North and South Carolina, it makes sense to think about how you might take care of your elderly loved ones, in the event of a natural disaster. Those individuals with reduced mobility are more prone to injury and death than the more able-bodied.  Therefore, it’s important to be proactive in keeping them safe.

History Paints a Bleak Picture

Senior citizens are more likely to die in wildfires, hurricanes, heat waves, tornadoes, and other natural disasters. Not only are they more sensitive to environmental factors, they often don’t have the mobility or automobiles to escape the situation.

• Hurricane Katrina – of the 986 people who died during Hurricane Katrina, the mean age was 69. Approximately 2/3 were over the age of 65 – many of whom died in nursing homes during or after the storm.
• Hollywood Hills Heat Wave – The summer of 2017 in Florida claimed the lives of 12 nursing home residents, when the air conditioning unit failed and residents were not evacuated.

How Can You Protect Your Elderly Loved One?

Having a plan in advance of a natural disaster, can mean the difference between life and death. Here are some things to consider:

• If your loved one is in a facility, ask to see their disaster plans. Ask questions to determine, if the staff are aware of the plan and what any contingencies may be.
• Discuss shelter-in-place options vs. evacuation options. Sometimes, it’s best to stay put.
• Work with family members on evacuation plans.
• Locate local emergency facilities to take a loved one, in the event that life-supporting electricity is unavailable.
• Find alternative dialysis centers, in the event of a long-term disaster. Remember, it’s not just the initial event you must consider, but the longer-term aftermath.
• Locate shelters that may require advance reservations – make those reservations.
• Make a medical plan that includes medical history, doctor/facility names and contact information, prescriptions, dosages and current treatments.
• Prepare a disaster kit with enough supplies to last at least 72-hours.
• Make your loved one’s home storm-ready, including alternative power supplies.

Being proactive is key to protecting your elderly loved ones. Enlist the support of friends and family in ensuring that your loved ones are taken care of in advance of a natural disaster.

References:

CBS.com - Senior citizens evacuate South Carolina due to Hurricane Florence (Accessed September 15, 2018) http://www.cbs46.com/story/39088420/senior-citizens-evacuate-south-carolina-due-to-hurricane-florence#ixzz5RCgAEdq9

Scientific American - Health Officials Rush to Protect Seniors, the Most Vulnerable Group, from Hurricane Florence (Accessed September 15, 2018)  https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/health-officials-rush-to-protect-seniors-the-most-vulnerable-group-from-hurricane-florence/

Property Casual 360 - Keep older adults safe in natural disasters with these 7 tips (Accessed September 15, 2018) https://www.propertycasualty360.com/2017/09/08/keep-older-adults-safe-in-natural-disasters-with-t/?slreturn=20180815163130