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Month: February 2018

Thanks to you, Iona was there when Suzanne needed advice and resources

Posted on by Campbell Maloney

Suzanne Kramer (left) smiles with Iona nutritionist Rose Clifford after taking a class on healthy meals.

Seventy-three years old, widowed, and with no children, Suzanne Kramer knew she needed a plan. Because of your generous support for Iona’s Take Charge/Age Well Academy, you ensured Iona would be there for her.

Read how your gift made an impact, in Suzanne’s own words.

“Last May, I had the pleasure of attending my first Iona class, “Aging Solo.” The class appealed to me for a number of reasons.

As a widow for the past three years, with no children, I have become increasingly aware of my need to understand and plan for my future. When I came across the class description on a listserv posting, I thought, ‘This class fits the bill.’

During the class, a number of Iona and community experts covered critical topics I had never considered. We discussed choosing where to live, financial planning, and building a social network, among other things.

These presentations, as well as the input from other class participants, provided me with an excellent overview of important things to think about and plan for. I learned several issues I need to take care of now, such as signing up for Long Term Care Insurance and having my will reviewed and updated. I learned about options for continuing care and facilities in the area.

Thanks to Iona, I’ve now begun information visits. And, in the future, I want to meet with an Iona care manager for individual help with planning.

Iona’s experts and my fellow classmates provided me with far more information than what I have touched on. But, the overall effect was to give me a better comfort level for my future. I received a comprehensive understanding of what I can do to get ahead of the aging process and where I can take steps to prepare.

Thank you for offering this class! Iona is an extremely valuable source of help and support, and it’s a comfort knowing I can rely on you in years to come.”

Your support of Iona ensures older adults like Suzanne have peace of mind and confidence for whatever lies ahead. Thank you for helping Iona provide resources, and teach critical strategies for successful aging.

If you’re feeling anxious or unsure about your social support as you age, you’re not alone. Iona can help.

Iona’s Take Charge/Age Well Academy is offering a five-session workshop series dedicated to helping you navigate aging solo. The series will take place on April 4, 11, 18, 25 and May 2, 2018 from 3:30 – 5:00 PM. It will offer presentations and guided-discussions on the critical decisions you need to make now and in the future. Learn more and register for the class here.

Critical topics and questions to consider when you’re aging solo

Posted on by Campbell Maloney

Are you wondering who will still need you – and feed you – when you’re 64? Or, better yet in this time of increased longevity, when you’re 84 or even 104?

You’re not alone. More and more, people are aging without a family member or friend nearby who could take on the role of a caregiver or health care decision-maker. In fact, more baby boomers are single than in previous generations, and more are childless.

This growing care gap presents challenges because as people grow older, health changes may make it difficult for them to live alone without supports. So how do you get the care you need if you’re “aging solo?” And who will serve as your advocate if there’s a need to make decisions about health care or living arrangements?

Staying in charge when aging solo requires being proactive and creative. It’s about taking action now to piece together the support you may need in the future.

Here are some critical topics and questions to consider:

1. Quality of life: Is your current living situation one where you can easily access transportation, shops, medical care, and companionship? If not, you may need to think about making a move while you are healthy and active. You could choose to relocate to a continuing care retirement community, but there are other housing options like co-housing, or sharing a home with a group of other people.

2. Health care decision-making: It’s important to look at your social network, both local and long distance, and think about who you might trust to make health care decisions for you. While it’s ideal to have a local advocate, even if your trusted decision-maker is across the country, it still makes sense to get that person involved and supplement their help with local support. Wherever your health care decision-maker lives, it’s important to complete an advance directive, including a health care power of attorney, and make sure your decision-maker has a copy and knows what your preferences are.

3. Navigating in a health crisis: Can you and a local friend make an agreement to be on call for each other in the event of a hospitalization? Additionally, some people choose to hire a care manager to be on call. Iona offers this service through Iona Care Partners.

4. Supportive services: Many people are able to remain in their own homes as they age through a range of supportive services through the aging services network, and neighborhood Villages. Investigate those services in advance so you know what’s available in your community.

Have any other ideas for how to stay connected when you’re 64 and beyond? Let us know in the comments!

If you’re feeling anxious or unsure about your social support as you age, you’re not alone. Iona can help.

Iona’s Take Charge/Age Well Academy is offering a five-session workshop series dedicated to helping you navigate aging solo. The series will take place on April 4, 11, 18, 25 and May 2, 2018 from 3:30 – 5:00 PM. It will offer presentations and guided-discussions on the critical decisions you need to make now and in the future. Learn more and register for the class here.

Beware of IRS impersonators and other important tax information

Posted on by Campbell Maloney

Now that it’s officially tax season, you need to beware of tax refund scams. Common scams include individuals impersonating IRS officials, whether in-person, over the phone, or via email, in order to steal your personal information. They can then file fraudulent returns electronically under your identity.

Oftentimes, scammers will make threats or send urgent messages for the purpose of stealing your social security number and birthdate. Unlike previous IRS imposters, who were calling for the purpose of gaining your personal information for identity theft, crooks are now fabricating tax documents to e-file. Their demands are often very convincing and frightening.

Remember, the IRS does not:

1. Initiate contact by email, text message, or social media to request personal or financial information. Most contact is through regular USPS mail. There are some exceptions, but even then, you would generally receive several letters from the IRS in the mail.
2. Demand immediate payment, especially by methods like a prepaid debit card, gift card, or wire transfer.
3. Demand that you pay taxes without the chance to question or appeal.
4. Threaten to bring in police or immigration officers to have you arrested for not paying.
5. Revoke your driver’s license, business licenses, or immigration status.

What the IRS will do:

If an IRS representative does visit you, they’re required to have two forms of official credentials: a pocket commission and a HSPD-12 card. You have the right to see these credentials.

Additionally, if you’re unsure about their credibility, you can ask the representative for a dedicated IRS telephone number for verifying the information on their credentials. Learn more about how to know if it’s really the IRS here.

If you receive a phone call or letter from someone claiming to be with the IRS, verify it by calling 800-829-1040.

Warning signs of tax fraud:

1. If you don’t receive your IRS refund within a month of e-filing, check its status at https://www.irs.gov/refunds.
2. If you believe more than one tax return was filed using your SSN.
3. If you’re notified that you owe additional tax, refund offset, or have had collection actions taken against you for a year you did not file a tax return.
4. If IRS records indicate you received wages or other income from an employer for whom you did not work.

What to do if you believe you’re a victim of tax fraud:

Finally, if you believe you’ve been contacted by an IRS impersonator, contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to report a phone scam. Use their “IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting” web page. You can also call 800-366-4484. Report phone scams to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the “FTC Complaint Assistant” on FTC.gov. Please add “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.

For more information about tax scams and what you need to know, please visit these resources:

• Tax Scams/ Consumer Alerts 
• Instructions for requesting copy of fraudulent returns
• How scammers try to steal your tax information
• Taxpayer guide to identity theft

Therapeutic fibs: What they are and why they are OK

Posted on by Campbell Maloney

“Don’t tell lies.” It’s a lesson your parents likely taught you at a young age. And yet, compassionate communication when interacting with someone with memory loss sometimes necessitates the need for “therapeutic fibbing.” Though controversial, therapeutic fibbing can help reduce anxiety or distress in a loved one.

What is therapeutic fibbing?

Therapeutic fibbing is lying, or bending the truth, in order to avoid increased agitation from a person with dementia. Here’s an example from the Alzheimer’s Association:
Family member: “What doctor’s appointment? There’s nothing wrong with me.”
Don’t respond by saying: “You’ve been seeing the doctor every three months for the last two years. It’s written on the calendar and I told you about it yesterday and this morning.”
Do say: “It’s just a regular check-up. I’m sorry if I forgot to tell you.”

Therapeutic fibbing is not about deceiving your relative. You are simply helping them to feel safe, secure, and comfortable. Remember, individuals with memory loss are often scared and acting out of fear. Imagine how frightening it would be to no longer recognize your surroundings or to believe your family members are strangers. As a caregiver, you can address and eliminate some of these fears.

In this context, a fib is an act of kindness, not deception.

Example of therapeutic fibbing:

Family member: “Where are my parents?”
Therapeutic Fib: “They’re not here right now, but I’ll let you know when they arrive. Let’s eat lunch before they arrive.”
In this example you are sparing your relative from grief (over the loss of their parents who died a number of years ago) and anxiety. You have also offered them comfort in its place.

Alternatives to Therapeutic Fibbing:

If telling a therapeutic lie induces feelings of guilt or stress, you may consider using distraction or choose not to respond at all.

Example of distraction:

Family member: “I haven’t heard from my parents in a long time.”
Distract: “I’m sorry you haven’t heard from them. It’s a beautiful day. I know, let’s go for a walk!”

What to do if you struggle with fibs:

The idea of telling a relative diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia “fibs” is understandably uncomfortable for many family caregivers. As a society, we’re taught that lying is wrong—so not being truthful can feel awkward or even upsetting.

Ultimately, as a caregiver your role is to love and reassure your family member. If these techniques make you feel guilty or uncomfortable, remind yourself that you’re using them with compassion and respect. Additionally, you might consider using other tactics first, or setting guidelines for when therapeutic fibbing is appropriate (for instance, only if your relative’s safety or well-being is at risk). Trust your intuition!

And, finally, remember to be kind to yourself too. You are doing the very best that you can.

For more information on Therapeutic Fibbing, take a look at this excellent Alzheimer’s Association PDF on Creative Communication Techniques.

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