February 15th, 2010
Seniors still have two weeks to apply for the state’s Senior Citizen Real Estate Property Tax Deferral Program. Will County Treasurer Pat McGuire said the program lets residential property owners 65 and over defer up to 100 percent of their property taxes at six percent simple interest.
The application deadline is March 1st. To qualify, your income must be less than $50,000 per year.
“Shrinking pensions and rising costs make the deferral program more important than ever,” McGuire said. “If you’re a senior, the program might make financial sense for you. Seniors using the program last year on the average got out from under almost $3,000 in property taxes.”
More information about the program is available by calling the treasurer’s office at 815-740-4691 or on the website at www.willcountytreasurer.com. You can also visit the treasurer’s office at 302 N. Chicago St. in Joliet from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. The office is closed today, Feb. 15th.
In about half an hour, county representatives can tell you whether you qualify for the program, what documents you need to provide, and help you complete your application.
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January 18th, 2010
Eighty percent of adults experience back injury at some point in their lives, according to Dr. Mark Sobor. Snow shoveling and slipping on ice increase the risk, and seniors are at greater risk than the general public. Sobor, who specializes in pain management, suggests the following practices if you have suffered back injury following a winter accident.
First, rule out that the source of your pain requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor if pain is shooting down one or both legs or if the legs feel weak; you cannot control normal bathroom functions; or if the pain can’t be controlled with medication.
In the two to three days following a back injury, rest in order to relax muscle spasms. Use anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen. Lay flat on your back on a hard surface such as a carpeted floor with a pillow under your knees, or lay in a fetal position to relieve pain.
When you are feeling better, try this exercise. Lay flat on your back on a hard surface. Pull one knee to the chest, hold for several seconds, and release. Repeat five to 10 times for each leg. If you can pull both knees to the chest at the same time without pain, perform that five to 10 times as well.
In general, you can stretch and strengthen all muscles and joints in order to help relieve back pain. Perform exercises that stretch hamstrings, neck, shoulders and spine every day, Sobor said. Daily exercise also should include other low-impact exercises such as walking, pilates, yoga, swimming, low-impact aerobics, or using a stationary bike or elliptical trainer.
For more information, visit the website at ChicagoHealers.com.
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January 12th, 2010
What better way to pass the time on cold winter nights than reading? Our new Book Nook feature highlights titles of interest to seniors and those who love them.
This month, we’re recommending Next Steps: A Practical Guide for the Best Half of Your Life, by Jan Warner and Jan Collins. The authors are syndicated columnists who put their decades of experience into helping readers create a step-by-step plan to protect assets, family, health, and personal autonomy in later life.
More information on this and other recommended books can be found on our website at http://www.CSN50andBetter.com/BookNook
Tags: books for seniors
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January 7th, 2010
Aging sometimes limits our physical capabilities, making simple day-to-day tasks a little more difficult than they used to be. Family, friends and neighbors are often happy to provide occasional assistance. But what are the options when occasional help isn’t enough?
In-home care, according to a MetLife survey, is the most common form of long-term care today. This is good news for the many seniors who choose to remain in their homes. In-home care, according to the National Association for Home Care, includes a wide range of health and social services delivered in the senior’s home.
This could simply mean periodic visits from a senior companion; scheduled visits to help with errands, yard work or home maintenance; assistance from medically trained professionals who monitor health needs; or full-time assistance from a professional home care provider.
Church- and community-based programs are becoming more readily available, as are numerous professional care businesses. Medically necessitated assistance is covered by Medicare and/or private insurance in some cases, and state-funded programs are available for low-income seniors who need care.
Contact your local Area Agency on Aging for more information. Townships, churches, and Senior Services can also provide referrals to help in your area.
Tags: caregiving for senior, in-home care, senior care
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January 5th, 2010
Health and mobility issues can pose challenges for local seniors when the snow, ice and cold temperatures of winter embrace the area. Donald Bryant, director of the Kane County Office of Emergency Management, suggested ways citizens can prepare for unexpectedly bad weather.
First, he recommends keeping enough food, water and medications on hand to last at least three days. Second, keep an emergency kit prepared at all times, including flash lights and batteries, a radio, first aid kit, and at least one blanket per person.
Finally, seniors and others with disabilities or special needs should sign up for their community’s special needs registry. Contact information for county-managed registries follows. Following a weather-related emergency, officials contact registrants to make sure they’re safe, and to provide help with any health and safety needs that have arisen as a result of the emergency.
Following is contact information for local special needs registries.
Kane County Office of Emergency Management, www.kcoem.org
630-232-5985
Will County Emergency Manage-ment Agency, www.willcountyema. org/
815-740-8351
DuPage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, www. dupageco. org/oem/specialNeeds.cfm
630-682-7925
For communities outside these counties, contact your local police department or senior services organization to determine whether a special needs registry is in place for your area.
For more details, see the full story at http://csn50andbetter.com/coverstories
Tags: special needs, weather emergencies, winter preparedness
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October 14th, 2008
Seniors who preparing for retirement will find a useful resource online from the Social Security Administration. From the comfort and security of your home, you can apply for benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov. The service is convenient and saves a trip to your local Social Security Office.
Younger seniors will find it easy to obtain a quick and accurate estimate of benefits to use for retirement planning purposes. Go to www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator and enter the requested information. This includes your name, date and place of birth, social security number, mother’s maiden name, and your income last year. Based on the information you provide, you will receive an estimate of the benefit you would receive at ages 62, 67 and 70. The information can be helpful in planning when you will retire and whether your benefit, in addition to your other retirement assets, will be sufficient to sustain you.
Questions about when to apply for retirement benefits are answered in the publication titled When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits. You can view the publication at http://socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10147.html.
Tags: applying for social security, retirement, senior citizens, seniors, social security benefits
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October 8th, 2008
Compact fluorescent light bulfs, or CFLs, reduce energy consumption and cost, and are better for the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that if every household replaced just one incandescent bulb with CFLs, we would reduce energy costs more than $600 million and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to that of more than 800,000 cars, and save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for an entire year!
CFLs come in a variety of shapes and sizes, providing both warm and soft white light. Choose the bulb that is labeled as being equivalent to the wattage of the incandescent bulb you are replacing. Bulbs that carry the Energy Star seal meet specific safety and performance standards, making them more reliable.
Although they cost a little more initially than conventional bulbs, CFLs last up to seven times longer, saving money in the long run. When they do eventually burn out, take special care to dispose of them properly. CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, which is essential to their efficiency. Stores that sell CFLs as well as your local government offices will have information on CFL recycling programs.
For seniors, CFLs make sense. They are more efficient, cut energy consumption, save you money, and ensure a healthier environment. For more information, visit the website at www.epa.gov and www.aceee.org.
Tags: CFLs, energy, save money, senior citizens, seniors
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October 1st, 2008
Seniors who prefer natural products may be interested in an offer from Tom’s of Maine. This company, which specializes in personal care products that are not tested on animals, recently announced its “Natural Challenge”, to run through the month of October. A special $1 off coupon can be found on Tom’s of Maine products, as an incentive for consumers to try the brand.
According to a press release distributed yesterday, the number of Americans turning to natural personal care products has grown to 57 million. The company’s website features an FAQ page that addresses some of the health and wellness questions raised by consumers, and these concerns are part of what fuels the still-growing industry.
Since I haven’t personally tried this product line, I am passing on this information on the Natural Challenge so readers can make their own decision. Learn more by visiting the website at www.tomsofmaine.com.
Tags: health, natural products, senior citizens, seniors, wellness
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September 22nd, 2008
Worried about heating costs this winter? The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low-income households with gas and electric expenses. You may be eligible for assistance if your monthly household income is up to $1,300 for an individual; $1750 for a two-person household; $2,200 for a three-person household; and $2,650 for a four-person household.
This is a need-based program, so you’ll have to meet certain eligibility requirements in order to qualify. Start gathering records: you’ll need proof of income for the past 30 days and Social Security cards for all people who live in the home, your utility bills, your lease or mortgage payment book, and if you have one, your Medicare card, Link Card, or WIC info.
The program is adminstered by local agencies on a first-come, first-served basis. People who are facing disconnection of their utilities may apply beginning in October; all others in November.
ore more information on the program or to find your local office, visit www.lihealillinois.com or call the Keep Warm Illinois hot line at 877-411-9276.
Tags: , energy assistance, LIHEAP, senior citizen heating bills
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September 16th, 2008
Chicago-area counties in addition to Cook were declared disaster areas Monday. Gov. Rod Blagojevich made the declaration in an effort to help seniors and other residents in DuPage, DeKalb, Kane, Grundy, LaSalle and Will counties qualify for assistance with the costs of clean-up, repair and renovation.
Seniors and others who sustained property damage from last weekend’s record rainfall and subsequent flooding should note that any assistance from state or federal sources may be a long time coming. Officials said the process can take up to a year to complete. The first step is to notify your city, village, or township officials of the damage.
Keep all receipts for expenses associated with flood damage. While financial aid may be available in the future, right now the priority should be on removing wet furniture, carpeting, drywall, and insulation, and taking steps to dry out the home as soon as possible, before mold takes hold.
More detailed information about recovering from a flood in your home can be found at www.redcross.org/static/file_cont333_lang0_150.pdf.
Tags: Chicago, Chicago-area, disaster area, flood assistance, flood damage, seniors
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