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Columns / Savvy Senior

Sorted by date  Results 1 – 25 of 36

 By Jim Miller    Columns    December 10, 2014

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend any tablets, smart phones or computers that are specifically designed for seniors? I would like to buy a device for my technology – challenged grandmother so she can get online and keep up with her grand kids better, but it needs to be super simplified so she can use it. Sincerely, Holiday Shopper

Dear Shopper, There are actually several new tech products on the market today that are designed specifically for older boomers and seniors that are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with technology. These devices come equipped with simplified software,…

 
 By Jim Miller    Columns    October 15, 2014

Dear Savvy Senior, I understand that there are several types of flu vaccines being offered to seniors this flu season. What can you tell me about them? -Cautious Senior

Dear Cautious, Depending on your health, age and personal preference, there’s a buffet of flu shots available to seniors this flu season, along with two vaccinations for pneumonia that you should consider getting too. Flu Shots Options Just as…

 
 By Jim Miller    Columns    September 3, 2014

Savvy Senior

Dear Savvy Senior, I run a community counseling program for needy families and am frustrated that so few eligible seniors take advantage of the food stamp program. Can you write a column on this to help educate seniors to this under utilized…

 
 By Jim Miller    Columns    April 9, 2014

How Reverse Mortgages Work in 2014

Dear Savvy Senior: What can you tell me about reverse mortgages? I was considering one last year, but now I hear they are more difficult to get. Ready to Reverse Dear Ready, That’s correct. Tighter rules on reverse mortgages that have recently gone…

 
 Columns    January 15, 2014

What You Should Know About Your Parents Affairs?

Dear Savvy Senior, My pastor recently suggested that I get informed on my elderly parents’ financial situation and end-of-life plans so I can be better prepared when something happens to them. What’s the best way to handle this and what all do I…

 
 Columns    December 25, 2013

Age-Friendly Telephones Help Seniors Stay In Touch

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good age-friendly home telephones for elderly seniors? My 82-year-old mother has a difficult time hearing over the phone, and her vision and memory isn’t so g…

 
 Columns    December 4, 2013

Simple Changes for Making a Home Senior-Friendly

Dear Savvy Senior, What tips or products can you recommend to help make a home safer and more convenient for aging in place? My husband and I are in our 70’s and don’t have the money for any big renov…

 
 Columns    September 3, 2013

Find and research doctors who accept Medicare

Dear Savvy Senior, What resources are available to help seniors locate and research Medicare doctors? My husband and I are approaching age 65 and need to find a new internist or primary care doctor who accepts Medicare. Our current doctor is not…

 
 Columns    July 16, 2013

How to find lost life-insurance policies

Dear Savvy Senior, When my father passed away we thought he had a life insurance policy, but we haven’t been able to track it down. Do you know of any resources that might help? Searching Family Dear Searching, Lost or forgotten life-insurance…

 
 Columns    February 5, 2013

Keeping my family conflict-free

Dear Savvy Senior, What’s the best, conflict-free way to divvy up my personal possessions to my kids after I’m gone? I have a lot of jewelry, art, family heirlooms and antique furniture, and five grown kids that don’t always see…

 
 Columns    November 5, 2012

How much do you need to retire?

Dear Savvy Senior, Is there an easy way to figure out how much savings a person needs to retire? I’m 52 years old – about 10 years from when I would like to retire – and I want to see where I stand. Planning Ahead Dear Planning How…

 
 By Jim Miller    Columns    August 28, 2012

Savvy Senior

Dear Worried, Telemarketing fraud is a big problem in the United States, particularly among seniors who tend to be the most vulnerable and frequently targeted. Here’s what you should know, along with some tips to help protect your mom. Phone…

 
 By Jim Miller    Columns    July 3, 2012

What types of vaccinations are recommended for seniors? I know about flu shots, but what else is recommended and what’s covered by Medicare?

Dear Sally, Most people think that vaccinations are just for kids, but adults, especially seniors, need their shots too. Here’s a breakdown of what vaccines the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends for adults age 50 and…

 
 By Jim Miller    Columns    February 28, 2012

What tips can you recommend to help me save on my drug costs?

Dear Savvy Senior What tips can you recommend to help me save on my drug costs? I’m 62 years old, and currently take six different prescription medications that I can barely afford. -Poorly Insured Dear Poorly, There are actually a variety of…

 
 By Jim Miller    Columns    January 3, 2012

What seniors need to do to find and research doctors who accept medicare

Dear Savvy Senior, What resources are available to help seniors locate and research Medicare doctors? My husband and I are approaching age 65 and need to find a new internist or primary care doctor who accepts Medicare. Our current doctor is not…

 
 By Jim Miller    Columns    December 5, 2011

How Much Do You Need to Retire?

Dear Savvy Senior, Is there an easy way to figure out how much savings a person needs to retire? I’m 52 years old – about 10 years from when I would like to retire – and I want to see where I stand. Planning Ahead Dear Planning How…

 
 By Jim Miller    Columns    October 28, 2011

How to Detect and Prevent Telemarketing Scams

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some tips to help protect seniors from telemarketing scams? My 80-year-old mother has been swindled out of several hundred dollars over the past year and keeps getting calls from scam artists. Worried Daughter Dea…

 
 Columns    September 1, 2011

Downsizing solutions for overwhelmed seniors

Dear Overwhelmed, The process of weeding through a house full of stuff and parting with old possessions can be difficult and overwhelming for many seniors. Most people in your situation start the downsizing process by giving their unused possessions…

 
 Columns    August 1, 2011

Social Security Help for Those Nearing Retirement Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good resources that can help me decide when to start my Social Security retirement benefits? I’ll be 62 early next year and want to carefully weigh all…

 
 By Jim Miller    Columns    July 18, 2011

How to Find Affordable Dental Care

Dear Savvy Senior, Where can seniors turn to find affordable dental care? I had dental insurance through my work for many years but lost it when I retired. What can you tell me? Flossing Frank Dear Frank, Very few U.S. retirees have dental insurance…

 
 By Jim Miller    Columns    June 13, 2011

Simplified Computers for Seniors

Dear Savvy Senior Do you know of any home computers that are specifically designed for senior citizens? I would like to get a computer for my 73-year-old mother, but she’s not computer savvy at all. Look Around Dear Looking, There are actually…

 
 By Jim Miller    Columns    May 19, 2011

Best Cell Phone Plans for Seldom Calling Seniors

Dear Savvy Senior What are the absolutely cheapest cell phone plans for seniors? I’ve had a cell phone for nearly four years that I rarely use, but I like having it for emergency purposes. Infrequent Caller Dear Infrequent, For seniors who…

 
 Columns    March 17, 2011

Reverse Mortgages Have Gotten More Affordable

Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about reverse mortgages? I was considering one a few years ago but decided against it because it was too expensive. But now I hear they are much more affordable. What can you tell me? Looking for Cash Dear…

 
 By Jim Miller    Columns    February 24, 2011

Raising Grandkids

Savvy Senior Grandfamilies: Resources for grandparents raising grandchildren Dear Savvy Senior, Where can grandparents raising grandchildren find help? My two grandkids are about to move in with me indefinitely, and I’m looking to find out what…

 

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