For more information about the author, click to view their website: Edward Jones
Spring is almost here,
which means it’s time for some spring cleaning. This year, in addition to tidying
your home and surroundings, you might want to consider sprucing up your
financial environment, as well.
Here are some suggestions
for doing just that:
• Improve your vision.
Once the days are warmer and longer, you may want to get outside and clean all
the winter grime and smudges from your windows, allowing you to see the world
more clearly. And you may want to bring more focus to your financial vision by
asking some key questions: Is my investment strategy still appropriate for
my needs, goals and family situation? If not, what changes should I make? And
am I prepared for changes in my life, such as health challenges or a need to
retire earlier than planned? The answers to these and other questions can
help you clarify where you are, in terms of your financial picture, and where
you want to go.
• De-clutter. As you
look around your home, you may find things such as expired health care
products, old prescriptions, ancient cleaning solutions, and so on, in addition
to duplicate household items (how many blenders do you really need?) and
non-working equipment — printers, laptops, etc. Most people find that eliminating
this clutter gives them a good feeling – and more livable space. As an
investor, you can also find clutter in the form of redundant investments — for example, you might own
several nearly identical mutual funds. You might be better off selling some of
these funds and using the proceeds to find new investments that can help you further
diversify your portfolio. As you may know, diversification is a key to
investment success, but keep in mind that it can’t prevent all losses.
• Plant seeds of
opportunity. Whether they’re planting camellias and crocuses or carrots and
cilantro, gardeners are busy in the spring, hoping their efforts result in
lovely flowers and tasty foods. And when you invest, you, too, need to plant seeds
of opportunity in the form of investments that you hope will grow enough to
enable you to make progress toward your goals. So, you may want to review your
portfolio to ensure it’s providing this growth potential, given your individual
risk tolerance.
• Reduce dangers. You
may not think about it that much, but your home and surroundings can contain
potential hazards. You might have ill-fitting caps on cleaning products with
toxic chemicals, or sharp cutting instruments protruding from shelves in your garage,
or heavy, cracked tree branches hovering close to your roof. Spending some time
on a spring-cleaning sweep can get rid of these dangers — and devoting time to consider
the possible threats to your financial security, and those of your family, can
pay off, too. For starters, review your life insurance to determine if you’ve
got enough. Your employer may offer some coverage as an employee benefit, but
it might not be sufficient, so you may need private coverage. And the same is
true for disability insurance, because if something were to happen to you, and
you couldn’t work for a while, you’d still want to protect your family’s
lifestyle.
Spring is a great time for
brightening your physical space — and your financial one,
too.
Chad Choate III, AAMS
828 3rd Avenue West
Bradenton, FL 34205
941-462-2445
[email protected]
This article was written
by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.
Edward Jones is a
licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington, D.C., through Edward
D. Jones & Co., L.P., and in California, New Mexico and Massachusetts through
Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C.; Edward Jones Insurance
Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C.; and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of
Massachusetts, L.L.C. California Insurance License OC24309
When an older adult needs help at home and sees several clinicians, a coverage decision can affect everything from prescription refills to rides. If youre considering TRU PACE in Lafayette, start by asking how enrollment would change the care and coverage you already use. How Medicare and Medicaid Fit Into PACEPACE is the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. It coordinates healthcare and support for eligible adults who meet a state standard for nursing home-level care and can live safely in the community with PACE support at enrollment. Applicants must also be 55 or older and live in the programs service area. TRU PACE and Your Current CoveragePhone: 303-665-0115Medicare says people with Medicaid pay no monthly PACE premium. Medicare beneficiaries without Medicaid pay premiums for the long-term care portion and Medicare Part D drugs. Medicare also says participants owe no deductible, copayment, or coinsurance for drugs, services, or care approved by their PACE team. Ask TRU PACE for an estimate based on your individual coverage before enrolling. Doctors, Prescriptions, and Existing ServicesTRU PACE says it becomes the participants insurance provider at enrollment. Participants generally receive care through the programs provider network. Bring a list of your doctors, medications, and scheduled services. Ask which providers are in the network and how the team would coordinate any changes. Why This Matters in LafayetteIf you regularly see a clinician near home or have a specialist visit scheduled outside Lafayette, give the enrollment team the names and dates. Ask which appointments can continue and what to do about any refill due around the enrollment date. How to Get Started1. Gather Your Coverage InformationHave your Medicare and Medicaid information, if applicable, along with details of any current plan. List the appointments and prescriptions you rely on most.2. Ask for an Enrollment and Cost ReviewCall TRU PACE and ask for your expected monthly cost, when any coverage change would take effect, and who would help coordinate the transition. Related Seniors Blue Book CategoriesPACE Adult Day Services Care Management
After a death, families may have to make several decisions in a short time. Others prefer to talk through their wishes ahead of time. In either situation, it helps to separate the practical arrangements from the decisions about how to gather, remember, and say goodbye. What Funeral and Mortuary Services CoverA funeral home can help arrange transportation and care of the person who died, assist with paperwork, and coordinate burial or cremation. A family may also arrange a viewing, funeral, memorial, or private gathering. Ask which decisions need to be made immediately and which can wait. The Natural Funeral in LafayettePhone: 720-515-2344The Natural Funeral lists natural burial, flame cremation, water cremation, and terramation, also called natural organic reduction. Water cremation uses an alkaline water process, and terramation transforms remains into soil. If one of these options interests you, ask what the process involves, how long it typically takes, and what the family receives afterward. Planning a Gathering and Reviewing CostsThe Lafayette funeral home is at 102 W Chester Street in Old Town. Ask what can take place at the Lafayette location and which parts would involve another venue or a cemetery. Request a General Price List and a written breakdown of your choices so you can see which fees cover the funeral homes work and which come from outside providers. Why This Matters in LafayetteIf relatives are coming from out of town or some guests have limited mobility, ask about parking, step-free access, and how many people the gathering space can accommodate. If you plan to hold a service and burial at different locations, check how much time guests will need between them. How to Get Started1. Write Down the Persons WishesLook for written instructions and note any cultural or religious preferences. If youre planning ahead, tell a trusted person where you keep your instructions and whom to call.2. Ask for a Written PlanCall 720-515-2344 and ask what is needed on the first call. Once youve discussed options, request the expected timeline and itemized costs before approving arrangements. Related Seniors Blue Book CategoriesCounseling Hospice Advance Care Planning
When an older adult spends most weekdays alone, families may need more than a place for them to go. They may also be juggling transportation, appointments, and help at home. TRU PACE in Lafayette offers a day center as part of a program that coordinates those needs for eligible older adults. What Are Adult Day Services?Adult day services offer daytime support outside the home. Depending on the program, participants may spend time with peers, eat a meal, take part in activities, or receive help with daily needs. Some centers accept people directly. The Lafayette TRU PACE center serves people enrolled in its broader Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. TRU PACE in LafayettePhone: 303-665-0115TRU PACEs Lafayette center is at 2593 Park Lane. The program coordinates medical and social services and arranges transportation to the day center and medical visits as needed. Ask the enrollment team what a typical center day includes, how often a participant might attend, and how the team decides what support to arrange at home. Who May QualifyPACE applicants must be at least 55, live in the programs service area, meet the states standard for nursing home-level care, and be able to live safely in the community with PACE support at enrollment. Ask how enrollment would affect access to current doctors and prescription coverage before making a decision. Why This Matters in LafayetteWhen family members already drive someone to several appointments a week, a coordinated schedule can change who needs to be available and when. Ask how pickup would work at the persons Lafayette address and who to call if a ride or appointment changes. How to Get Started1. Ask for an Eligibility ReviewCall TRU PACE. Have the participants ZIP code, current coverage, and a short list of the help they need. 2. Ask to Visit the CenterFind out what the participant might do on a center day, how transportation works, and what changes to their current care arrangements enrollment would involve. Related Seniors Blue Book CategoriesCare Management Transportation Respite Care