Welcome to Speaking with Grace from Aging with Grace! It’s our pleasure to introduce you to our new monthly email newsletter with timely articles meant to educate and inform on eldercare topics.
Patricia Grace & Rita Files

Aging with Grace Welcomes the Alliance for Retired Americans!

Aging with Grace wishes to extend a warm welcome to The Alliance for Retired Americans. The Alliance has recently partnered with AWG to provide eldercare services to its’ 3.6 million members. Steven Hayes, Director of Business Development for the Alliance recently noted; “More and more of our members were requesting information on resources for caregivers and services for the elderly. We are comfortable offering Aging with Grace since they have experience working with large groups and organizations in the US and Canada.

As speakers, Rita Files and Patricia Grace received an overwhelming response to their seminars on caregiver stress which they presented this past spring at the ARA Regional Conference. Hayes was quoted as saying, “I am quite impressed with their knowledge of and passion for the elderly and those who care for them.”

Aging with Grace is the nationally recognized solution for eldercare stress in the workplace as well as a resource for retired Americans and their families. In providing services for the members of these groups, AWG will educate, coordinate and facilitate individualized eldercare options to their members. An experienced Aging with Grace Eldercare Specialist can educate members on the eldercare options that are most appropriate for their family or loved one, coordinate contact between members and those resources, and facilitate the initiation of services such as in-home care, adult day care or respite care or referral to a senior living community. To learn how you can Age with Grace, contact an Eldercare Specialist, toll free at 800.626.9440 or visit the website at www.agingwithgrace.net.

SPOTLIGHT ON BLS Advisors

BLS Advisors is an experienced, trusted, professional financial advisor specializing in ways to finance long term care and plan for retirement. BLS Advisors works with seniors and their families to ensure that financial resources are available for the long term to cover the expenses of daily living as well as extraordinary medical expenses.
With unique service offerings such as application assistance for the Veteran’s Improved Pension Benefit for Veterans and their widows, BLS Advisors will work with seniors to discover ways to finance long term care as part of their financial planning for retirement.
A well thought out senior financial planning strategy to manage the financial challenges that seniors face is the most important step to achieving your retirement goals or long term care needs. BLS Advisors will help you plan for all areas of retirement: from financial needs to senior long term benefits. They follow proven, prudent practices to ensure their clients’ needs are satisfied.
BLS Advisors specializes in Senior Financial Planning & Long Term Care Planning including: Veterans’ Pension Benefit Financial Planning for Retirement Reverse Mortgage Long Term Care Insurance Estate Planning
To learn more about BLS Advisors, visit www.agingwithgrace.net on the web or call 800 626-9440.

I Don’t Want to Lose My Independence.

Deciding to move on your own while you are healthy and independent will make the transition from your present home to an apartment or senior living community much easier. You can still be independent.

If you fear growing older and not being able to care for yourself, don’t. A move may be the answer. You can still be independent.

If you fear that making a move will give up your independence, don’t. Many communities pride themselves in supporting seniors to be independent.

If you fear becoming a burden to your children or family, don’t. Often, by making a move you stay independent of your children. Your daily needs are supported by caring staff and your children are relieved of daily worries. You remain independent.

Finally, remember that freedom belongs to you. No matter where you live, freedom of choice is your inalienable right.

Summer Fun

The summer is always a time for family celebrations, picnics and parades. As the summer sun shines down remember to:

  • Wear sunscreen
  • Seek the shade
  • Stay hydrated

This is also a special time, when we remember with admiration our hero’s of past and present wars. Their allegiance to keeping our country safe will never be forgotten. Please, don’t forget to fly your flag.

Freedom from Clutter Tips

The biggest job you will face with a later life move is the process of sorting through your belongings. So start now while you are still independent. Think about which items are really important to you and focus on creating uncluttered space around these items.

Your first step is to give the following items some preliminary thought:
1. Identify what you want would want to take with you if you were to make a move.
2. Identify what would be sold or discarded.
3. Identify the five items that absolutely must accompany you to your new home.
4. Identify any belongings you are sure you can live without.
5. Decide what items will go to family members.

Here is a tip to help you with Step 5. I knew a woman who one day invited her family to come and visit. She gave them each a pad of paper and pencil and instructed them to tour her home and write down any item they might wish to have someday. As each succeeding birthday and/or holiday rolled around, she would wrap up an item on their list and give it to them. This allowed her the joy of seeing their gratitude and granted her years of watching them enjoy her gift.
Remember, simplicity rather than clutter should be the main theme as we age.