Colorado - Colorado Springs

Wouldn't it be great to live with real peace of mind? I mean the kind of peace that lets you sleep at night knowing that you have taken care of the important people and things in your life. The uncertainties around us are many: economic weakness, global unrest, changing laws and even differing opinions from so-called experts about all of those topics! How can we achieve peace of mind in times like these?The truth is that most Americans don't plan for two of the most important concerns in life those surrounding our personal aging and the passing on of our legacies. This is partly because we avoid these uncomfortable issues. The greater problem may be that we are paralyzed by a lack of information or scared by misinformation. We want to plan, but what should we do? Consider some of the questions surrounding key issues every senior face:Health Care Decisions: What documents are necessary? Can I choose my caregiver? How do Powers of Attorney work? What are Advance Directives? Is HIPAA important?Disability Planning: Who will handle my financial affairs? How do I plan in advance for my care? Can I avoid Conservatorship/Guardianship? What is the role of the court in my care?Medicaid Planning: How do I qualify for Medicaid? When do I need to begin planning? How would Medicaid Planning impact my other plans?Estate Planning: Is a Will all I need? What is the advantage of a Living Trust? What are the costs of Probate? Can I avoid Probate? How much control do I have in passing on my legacy?Accurate, easy-to-understand information is the key to unlocking your ability to plan for your future. Consult with a qualified estate planning attorney so that you can make informed decisions about what is best for you and your loved ones. The initial consultation should be free. Take the first step toward peace of mind today!Editor's Note: This article was submitted by Hammond Law Group. For further information please contact them at 719-520-1474

According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans. One in four older Americans experience a fall annually. At FirstLight, our goal is to provide senior home care that makes your loved ones feel safe. Elderly fall prevention is just one way we care for your loved ones as if they were our own. Read on to learn more about fall prevention for seniors.What Are The Dangers Of Seniors Falling?Falls threaten seniors safety and independence. They are a substantial medical risk that can result in hip fractures, cuts and sometimes life-threatening head and brain injuries. Oftentimes, a fall is so scary that seniors may avoid certain activities because they are worried that theyll fall again. So, how important is senior fall prevention?Elderly fall prevention can greatly improve the quality of life in our seniors. The data is startling. Sixty and Me, an online community of 500,000 women over 60, provided some very helpful information that explores basic statistics related to falls in older Americans. For example, more than one in every three falls involving older adults either requires medical assistance, such as going to a regular doctors appointment or a trip to the emergency room, or results in activity limitations for a day or more. Falls are too common. We need to work together to learn about fall prevention to keep our aging family and friends healthy.If you are a family caregiver, the following quick guide to elderly fall prevention can help keep your aging loved one safe inside the place they call home and provide you with comfort and peace of mind. Most Common Fall Risks For ElderlyCarrying excessive amounts of weight.Having poor balance.Wearing impractical shoes.Having pathways in the home filled with clutter or objects.Standing up to dress or undress.Slipping in the shower or tub.Lighting is not bright enough in rooms.Having poor vision.Being on medication with side effects such as drowsiness or dizziness.Getting feet caught in wheelchair feet supports. Senior Fall Prevention StrategiesAlthough falls are not a normal part of aging, most of us lose some coordination, flexibility and balance as we age. This can increase our potential to fall. Elderly fall prevention is the best way to counteract the negative effects of a fall before it happens. Here are some ways to help prevent falls in your elderly loved one.Remove clutter.The simplest way to promote fall prevention is to remove clutter from floors, hallways, staircases and sidewalks around your loved ones home. Unnecessary clutter can be a tripping hazard. Plus, your loved one is at risk of losing their balance and falling when they bend down to pick up the clutter.Fix trip hazards.Walk through every room of the house and identify potential trip hazards. Fix, remove, or repair items such as loose carpets, throw rugs, uneven flooring, electrical cords or unnecessary furniture, as well as things like old newspapers and magazines that may be piled up. Patterned rugs, especially, can cause a tripping hazard because they affect depth perception.Keep necessary items within reach.Limiting overreaching can be a great form of fall prevention. The potential of falling is minimized by not placing anything on shelves that are too high or need to be reached using a chair or ladder. In their bedroom specifically, your loved ones bed should be a comfortable height, stable and firm enough to get in and out of easily. A telephone and lamp should be reachable on the bedside table. Eyeglasses, canes and walkers should also be easily accessible.Keep the bathroom safe.Buying rubberized slip-resistant mats both inside and outside of the shower or tub helps prevent slipping. A raised toilet seat makes it easier and safer for someone who is weak or has balance problems.Install grab bars and handrails. Hire a handyman or have a family member install grab bars by toilets and bathtubs and handrails in stairways and hallways. Most seniors have lived in their homes for such a long time they may have never thought about making simple home modifications that could make aging in place a viable and safer option.Install proper lighting. Poor lighting is another hazard that can cause falls. Install brighter light bulbs in each room for everyday use. Add night lights in bedrooms and bathrooms for better guidance at night. Light switches should be accessible at room entrances and at the beginning of any dark area. Automatic touch lights that turn on when you touch the base of the lamp are helpful for those with arthritis or painful joints. Adapters are available to convert existing lamps into touch-sensitive lamps.Encourage shoes, even in the home. Preventing falls at home can be as simple as wearing sensible shoes. Socks might be more comfortable, but they can also be slippery. Encourage your loved one to wear shoes, even inside the house. Shoes should have low heels and good tread.Make sure to keep shoelaces tied or Velcro firmly fastened. If your loved one chooses to wear slippers, they should have rubber soles and should not be worn outside.Remember outdoor safety.Step edges should be marked with reflective tape that is designed for outdoor use. Traction tape on stair treads will minimize the chance of falls when the stairs are wet. Using a contrasting color adhesive strip along the edge of the threshold will make it more visible. Leaves, moss, snow and ice can cause serious falls. Paths and sidewalks that are raised and cracked create a hazard.Promote balance.Get a shower bench or chair for someone if they are unsteady on their feet. Balance can be easily thrown off by trying to carry heavy objects and having vision obscured.Look into medication information.Review all medications with your loved ones the physician or pharmacist to see if there is an increased risk for falls. Some drugs that contribute to falls are diuretics, blood pressure medicine and medications given for psychological reasons.Review walker and wheelchair safety.When using a walker, both hands must be free to grasp the handles on either side. Avoid carrying heavy objects, which could cause a loss of balance or overload a wheelchair. Wheelchairs should be checked periodically to make sure they are in good working condition.Urge your older adult to slow down. Teaching aging adults that they are not as agile as they used to be is a helpful way to promote senior fall prevention. Many falls at home are caused by your elderly loved one moving too quickly while getting in or out of a seated position. Advise them to pause before sitting or standing to make sure they are steady before moving.Emergency alarm systems provide peace of mind.Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) provide emergency help at the press of a button, 24 hours a day. While not a form of fall prevention, if you are not able to have an actual person in the home with your loved one, these devices are an effective way to alert others of a fall. The response button is worn around the neck, on the belt or on the wrist of your loved one. These systems help alleviate the fear of being alone during an emergency such as a fall.FirstLight Home Care Senior Home Care ServicesAt FirstLight, our caregivers are taught to watch for possible fall hazards and to manage them before an accident happens. In addition to senior fall prevention and home safety checks, our team provides a variety of senior home care services to help you or your loved one stay safe and independent.

Colorado is home to approximately 143,000 veterans who served in WWII, the Korean and Vietnam Wars.  From the beaches at Normandy, the frigid mountains of North Korean and the harrowing jungles of Vietnam; our veterans fought valiantly in the name of freedom.  We can never repay those who sacrificed so much, but we can remember them by name.Allan R. Simpson enlisted in the Army when he was just 17 years old.  As he completed his basic training at Schofield Army base in Hawaii, he had no idea that he would endure some of the most grueling conditions in the Chosin Reservoir region of North Korea.  Working as an Army Mountaineer, Simpsons assignment was demolishing bridges to prevent enemy troop mobilization in regions where temperatures regularly dipped to 25 below zero.   Honorably discharged after 3 years of service, Simpson endured chronic medical conditions tied to the severe frostbite he acquired while in North Korea.  Allan R. Simpson, and all those who served before and after him, are heroes.As Colorados 143,000 WWII, Korean and Vietnam War veterans age rises, the need for skilled nursing and assisted Living facilities has increased.  The Veterans Administration offers skilled nursing facilities in Colorado, however there are no VA Assisted Livings in Colorado.  The dream of providing room and board, quality medication oversight, transportation, and a welcoming homestyle environment became a passion for Crestview Assisted Livings owner Rick Simpson when he learned of this gap in care.  My dad served and sacrificed.  I wanted to do something tangible to give back.- Rick SimpsonLaunching in 2021, nine veterans have made the Allan R. Simpson Veterans Residential Care Quarters home!  Many of whom have used their Aid and Attendance benefits to offset costs.  Upon reflection of the facilities first highly successful year, Simpson said, We mean it when we say, Because you served firstIt is our greatest honor to now serve you.  Editors Note: This article was submitted by Nancy Ruminski, Care Director for Crestview Assisted Living Care Campus. For more information she may be reached at 719-473-6339

The Social Security Administration announced a whopping 8.7% boost to monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for 2023. This is on the heels of a 5.9% increase last year. The increase is based on the rise in the Consumer Price Index over the past 12 months ending in September 2022.For those contributing to Social Security through wages, the potential maximum income subject to Social Security tax increases to $160,200. This represents a whopping 9% increase in your Social Security Tax! Here's a recap of the key dollar amounts:2023 Social Security Benefits - Key InformationWhat it means for youUp to $160,200 in wages will be subject to Social Security taxes, an increase of $13,200 from 2022. This amounts to $9,932.40 in maximum annual employee Social Security payments (an over $800 increase!) so plan accordingly. Any excess amounts paid due to having multiple employers can be returned to you via a credit on your tax return.For all retired workers receiving Social Security retirement benefits, the estimated average monthly benefit will be $1,827 per month in 2023, an average increase of $146 per month.SSI is the standard payment for people in need. To qualify for this payment, you must have little income and few resources ($2,000 if single, $3,000 if married).A full-time student who is blind or disabled can still receive SSI benefits as long as earned income does not exceed the monthly and annual student exclusion amounts listed above.Social Security & Medicare RatesThe Social Security and Medicare tax rates do not change from 2022 to 2023.Note: The above tax rates are a combination of 6.20 percent Social Security and 1.45 percent for Medicare. There is also a 0.9 percent Medicare wages surtax for single taxpayers with wages above $200,000 ($250,000 for joint filers) that is not reflected in these figures. Please note that your employer also pays Social Security and Medicare taxes on your behalf. These figures are reflected in the self-employed tax rates, as self-employed individuals pay both halves of the tax.