Author: By Jim Miller Special to The Gazette
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Savvy Senior: Kitchen ideas for aging in place
Dear Savvy Senior, My 77-year-old mother, who loves to cook, has had several kitchen-related accidents over the past year. What tips can you recommend for making a kitchen safer and more practical for seniors, without doing a big expensive remodel. — Inquiring Daughter Dear Inquiring, There are a number of small improvements and simple modifications…
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Savvy Senior: How extreme heat affects seniors — plus tips to stay safe
Dear Savvy Senior, I work for a county health department and every summer we’re seeing more and more seniors get sick and even die from heat-related illness. Can you write an awareness piece on the affects extreme heat has on older adults, and what they can do to guard against this summertime risk. Thanks for…
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Savvy Senior: How to hire a caregiver for in-home help
Dear Savvy Senior, I need to hire a good in-home caregiver to help my elderly father who lives alone. What’s the best way to do this? — Searching Sarah Dear Searching, Finding a good in-home caregiver for an elderly parent is not always easy. How can you find one that’s reliable and trustworthy, as well…
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Savvy Senior: Do you need a digital will?
Dear Savvy Senior, My wife and I had our estate plan — including a will, power of attorney and advance directive — drawn up about 10 years ago but have recently read that our plan should include a digital will too. What can you tell us about this? — Almost 80 Dear Almost, If you…
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Savvy Senior: Can you stop and restart Social Security benefits?
Dear Savvy Senior, Can I stop my Social Security retirement benefits and restart them later to get a bigger payment? I recently got a nice unexpected inheritance, so don’t need the money from Social Security right now. If possible, I would like to suspend my benefits and restart them at age 70. — Do-over Dan…