Senior Living Information Blog

Caregiver Village setting aside some launch funding for various caregiving support organizations.

I received a nice message from Sheila Watson from Caregiver Village recently.  

Caregiver Village was started to serve the needs and concerns of today's caregivers.

Its a place to connect with other people who face similar challenges, obtain valuable resources, share journal entries and read those of others about caregiving journeys.

Visitors can meet well-known authors and participate in their book clubs and play our Village Chronicles game, for learning or just for fun.  The Village Chronicles is an entertaining on-line mystery adventure story that integrates caregiving situations into a game-like atmosphere. You can connect with your friends, find links to valuable resources within Caregiver Village, solve puzzles, achieve ranks, and earn badges. It’s a learning experience that is engaging and fun.

This fall, the founders of Caregiver Village, have just put aside a portion of the launch funding to support caregiving organizations. For every person that joins Caregiver Village, they will donate $1 to that persons organization of choice. (For example the Alzheimer's Association or Autism Speaks...) For more information check here:

http://www.caregivervillage.com/social-media

Term Life Insurance for Seniors?

Recently I received a note about term life insurance for seniors.  It is not a subject I know anything about, so I thought I would just share the readers note and the link to her article about it if you are looking for information on the subject.

Dear Lisa:

My name is Kathleen Firtle and I also enjoy developing content relevant to retirees. I particularly enjoy how your blog can aid seniors in the Chicago area! I really like how you can combine issues like financial planning, assisted living and local events to provide such a wonderful resource to seniors!

I see that you've written about seniors and taxes; however, did you know that term life insurance can help your loved ones pay estate taxes? It can be a great retirement tool!

I have recently written an article that may be of particular interest to your base of readers. It has been published on an informational life insurance site and advises retirees on things like: when they can still be approved for life insurance, the rates they should expect to pay, why they might want to purchase a life insurance policy and scams they should be wary of. It is very informative and compliments a lot of the content found on your site.

The article can be found here:  http://www.lifeinsurancematters.org/articles/term-life-insurance-for-seniors/

A Special VIP Reception to Honor America's Veterans at the Chicago Historical Museum

Can't believe it has been such a long time since I posted on the blog.  There are a lot of things going on with assisted living and senior living in Chicago these days so I am going to try to update you with as much of what I have learned about as possible.  In the meantime check out this open invitation from my friends at Brookdale Senior Living and Peck Bloom, elder law.

You are cordially invited

Join us for a special VIP reception to honor America’s Veterans, who have sacrificed much to keep our nation free. Please join Jeremy Bloom, founder of Jeremy Bloom’s Wish of a Lifetime Foundation, and Brookdale Senior Living® for this special tribute to America’s heroes.

Monday, November 7, 2011
From 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
at the Chicago Historical Museum

1601 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL

 

Complimentary Valet Parking

RSVP to (773) 549-1010

There are many seniors in Chicago who may not have air conditioning

Please check out these tips for staying cool in Chicago for the next few days and don't forget to call 311 for a wellness check if there is a senior in your building or neighborhood that you are worried about!

The National Weather Service in Chicago expects the hot and humid temperatures to remain in Chicago until Sunday. During this time, high temperatures are expected to remain in the 80s and 90s, including at night. Heat Indices of around 105 degrees are possible each day through Sunday, and an Excessive Heat Warning will be in effect from Wednesday morning through early Friday morning. The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) wants to remind everyone to be aware of extreme temperatures and to take the necessary precautions to avoid heat-related emergencies.

Everyone is reminded to take the following steps to minimize the impact of hot weather:

 *   Drink plenty of water, at least eight glasses a day.

 *   Avoid going out in the heat during the hottest part of the day.

*   Prepare for hot weather, especially if participating in or attending outdoor activities.

*   Public buildings such as Libraries, Park District facilities and Chicago police district headquarters can be used as temporary cooling centers. Call 3-1-1 to receive the address of the nearest temporary cooling center.

*   Check on the well being of neighbors and relatives who may be susceptible to hot weather conditions. Call 3-1-1 to request a well being check or a ride to a cooling center.

*  Open fire hydrants are a public safety issue because it drops water pressure in the area and prevents firefighters from being able to use them to fight a fire. The water stream from an open hydrant also creates a potentially hazardous situation for small children, especially when cars are present.

*   Com Ed has additional crews on stand by to quickly respond to power outages. Customers should call 1-800-EDISON-1 to report outages immediately.

The City will continue to work closely with the National Weather Service to monitor local conditions. The City's Emergency Operations Center has not been activated at this point, but we are ready to do so if necessary. For more information, or to sign up for extreme weather alerts, please visit www.AlertChicago.com or view the OEMC's Facebook Page.

 

Volunteers needs for the Alzheimer's Association Forget Me Not Days May 13&14th 2011

What are you doing on Friday, May 13^th? What about Saturday, May 14^th?

Could you spare a few hours that Friday or Saturday to volunteer for the ninth annual Forget Me Not Days^®?

 

What are Forget Me Not Days?

Forget Me Not Days began in 2003 as the annual fundraiser of Bankers Life and Casualty Company - the national life and health insurer - to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association chapters nationwide. On May 13 and 14, 2011 this ‘tag days’ fundraiser will bring Bankers agents and employees, and Alzheimer’s Association volunteers to streets and storefronts to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s disease. Since Forget Me Not Days began more than $2 million has been raised across the country to support the Alzheimer’s Association. Help us raise more!

How does it work?

Volunteers work with their local Alzheimer’s Association office to find out about tagging locations nearest them. Volunteers will be provided green gardening aprons to wear and canisters to use to collect donations on event-day. In exchange for donations, volunteers will hand out specially marked packets of Forget-Me-Not flower seeds, courtesy of Bankers Life. Seed packets list the Association’s 24/7 toll-free Helpline phone number and its website. 100% of the donations collected go directly to the Alzheimer’s Association to support Alzheimer care, support and research.

Please Volunteer!

With Alzheimer’s disease now the sixth leading cause of death in the United States – and the fifth leading cause of death for those ages 65+ in Illinois – we need your support!

If you’re interested in volunteering for a few hours that Friday or Saturday (May 13^th or 14^th) in Chicago or one of the 13+ suburbs where we’re securing tagging sites, please let me know. As of right now, in regards to the Chicagoland area, we have tagging sites secured and/or pending in the city of Chicago, Lake Forest, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Park Ridge, Evanston, Lisle, Downers Grove, Lombard, Naperville, Oak Park, Palos Hills, and Joliet. We plan to add a few more tagging sites in the next few weeks. Our hope is that one of these sites is close enough to home for all of our volunteers.

The association takes care of planning the locations (outside of a Jewel store, in a busy intersection, etc) where volunteers are; all you need to let them know is what day(s) you’re free and in which city/village (from the list above) you’d like to volunteer. The hours during which this event takes place both Friday and Saturday are between about 8am and 4pm, with volunteer shifts lasting about 2 hours.

For more information and to volunteer, please contact Amanda Bogdanski, Event Specialist, Greater Illinois Chapter Alzheimer's Association at 847-779-6952! 

 

RTA (CTA) announces upcoming changes for "seniors ride free" program in Illinois

My original post on this subject became one of the most searched on my blog and I still get many questions about it.  I received this updated information recently and wanted to share it with everyone!

Seniors who are currently enrolled in the Seniors Ride Free program can continue to ride fixed routes without interruption.  However, there are changes that will take place because of the new program.  The following changes will occur:

• All current senior free ride cardholders will receive correspondence from the RTA in the next few weeks advising of the program changes
• The RTA is working the the Department on Aging to verify all seniors currently enrolled in the Circuit Breaker program
• Newly designed magnetic stripe card to distinguish between low-income seniors who will be able to ride free and those who must pay a reduced fare.  The distribution date is scheduled for the mid-summer timeframe, and the RTA will follow up to announce the exact date.
• All seniors wishing to qualify for free rides must be registered with the Depart on Aging's Circuit Breaker program and meet eligibility requirements.  For more information call 800-252-8966 or visit www.cbrx.il.gov to enroll.  Incomes to qualify range from $27,610 to $45,657 depending on household size.

The Seniors Ride Free program changed in February after Gov. Pat Quinn signed legistlation amending the ART Act to allow only low-income seniors to continue riding free on fixed-route services.  All other seniors would be required to pay a reduced fare.  

For more information about the recently changed program visit www.RTAchicago.com

Photo from cbschicago

Tax Tips for Seniors

April 15th is almost here and I can't believe I forgot to write about this!  Every year this is a popular post so I want to make sure I keep you abreast of any tax tips that seniors and caregivers can use and think about before they file their taxes!

Since I am not an accountant not a CPA and actually pay one to do my taxes, please do not consider this legal advice.  However I searched the web and read quite a few articles on the subject and found some great resources that I am sharing below.  If anyone else has any to add please send me a message or comment below.

Medical Expenses - many elderly, especially those on fixed incomes may be able to deduct medical expenses on their taxes because the allowable expenses often exceed the 7.5% of adjusted gross income that is required.  In addition to the obvious expenses, medical equipment and insurance premiums including long term care insurance may be able to be deducted.  You can find allowable deductions on the IRS website for publication 502

Is Assisted Living Tax Deductible? - in some cases an assisted living will often report the "medical" as opposed to room & board expenses at the end of the year.  Contact the executive director of the community to find out more.

Is In Home Care Tax Deductible?  - very tricky.  If home care aid is providing medical services such as administering medication, help with bathing etc, the cost is probably tax deductible, see the above publication.  But it gets tricky if you are paying a caregiver directly as opposed to a licensed agency.  If the caregiver is your employee - in regards to taxes you need to make sure you withholding their taxes and matching their contributions.

Tax Deductions & Credits - those 65 and older may qualify for a special credit as long as their incomes don’t exceed certain thresholds, which vary by filing status. Be sure to consult the I.R.S. Web site for form 524.

Taxable Social Security - to find out more consult this worksheet A Quick Way To Check if Your Benefits May Be Taxable on the IRS website.  This usually applies to seniors that have a lot of additional income in addition to their social security.

Please Help Me! - The AARP has set up Tax-Aide which offers free assistance for federal and state returns.  There is a great article about Tax-Aide on the AARP website and you can also find links to local volunteers.

 

A whole bunch of links to veterans benefits - please pass on to any veterans you may know

Earlier this week I was sent this email and I thought it was important to get this information out to as many people as possible.

Below are web-sites that provide information on Veterans benefits and how to file/ask for them. Accordingly, there are many sites that explain how to obtain books, military/medical records, information and how to appeal a denied claim with the VA. Please pass this information on to every Veteran you know. Nearly 100% of this information is free and available for all veterans, the only catch is: you have to ask for it, because they won't tell you about a specific benefit unless you ask for it. You need to know what questions to ask so the right doors open for you and then be ready to have an advocate who is willing to work with and for you, stay in the process, and press for your rights and your best interests.

 

 

Appeals http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch05.doc 
Board of Veteran's Appeals http://www.va.gov/vbs/bva/ 
CARES Commission http://www.va.gov/vbs/bva/ 
CARES Draft National Plan http://www1.va.gov/cares/page.cfm?pg=105 
Center for Minority Veterans http://www1.va.gov/centerforminorityveterans/ 
Center for Veterans Enterprise http://www.vetbiz.gov/default2.htm 
Center for Women Veterans http://www1.va.gov/womenvet/ 
Clarification on the changes in VA healthcare for Gulf War Veterans http://www.gulfwarvets.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000016.html 
Classified Records - American Gulf War Veterans Assoc http://www.gulfwarvets.com/ubb/Forum18/HTML/000011.html 
Compensation for Disabilities Associated with the Gulf War Service http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/part6%20/ch07.doc 
Compensation Rate Tables, 12-1-03 http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Rates/comp01.htm 
Department of Veterans Affairs Home Page http://www.va.gov/ 
Directory of Veterans Service Organizations http://www1.va.gov/vso/index.cfm?template=view 
Disability Examination Worksheets Index, Comp http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/exams/index.htm 
Due Process http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch02.doc 
Duty to Assist http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch01.doc 
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr/ 
Emergency, Non-emergency, and Fee Basis Care http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf 
Environmental Agents http://www1.va.gov/environagents/ 
Environmental Agents M10 http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1002 
Establishing Combat Veteran Eligibility http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=315 
EVALUATION PROTOCOL FOR GULF WAR AND IRAQI FREEDOM VETERANS WITH POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO DEPLETED URANIUM (DU)http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DUHandbook1303122304.DOC and http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1158 
See also, Depleted Uranium Fact Sheet http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DepletedUraniumFAQSheet.doc 
EVALUATION PROTOCOL FOR NON-GULF WAR VETERANS WITH POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO DEPLETED URANIUM (DU)http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/DUHANDBOOKNONGW130340304.DOC 
Fee Basis, PRIORITY FOR OUTPATIENT MEDICAL SERVICES AND INPATIENT HOSPITAL CARE http://www1.va..gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=206 Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependants 2005 http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf OR, http://www1.va..gov/opa/vadocs/current_benefits.htm 
Forms and Records Request http://www.va.gov/vaforms/ 
General Compensation Provisions http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter11_subchaptervi_.html 
Geriatrics and Extended Care http://www1.va.gov/geriatricsshg/ 
Guideline for Chronic Pain and Fatigue MUS-CPG http://www.oqp.med.va.gov/cpg/cpgn/mus/mus_base.htm 
Guide to Gulf War Veteran's Health http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/VHIgulfwar.pdf 
Gulf War Subject Index http://www1.va.gov/GulfWar/page.cfm?pg=7&template=main&letter=A 
Gulf War Veteran's Illnesses Q&As http://www1.va.gov/gulfwar/docs/GWIllnessesQandAsIB1041.pdf 
Hearings 
http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch04.doc 
Homeless Veterans http://www1.va.gov/homeless/ 
HSR&D Home http://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/ 
Index to Disability Examination Worksheets C&P exams http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/benefits/exams/index.htm 
Ionizing Radiation http://www1.va.gov/irad/ 
Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom Veterans VBA http://www.vba.va.gov/EFIF/ 
M 10 for spouses and children < http://www1..va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1007 
M10 Part III Change 1 http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1008 
M21-1 Table of Contents http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/M21_1.html 
Mental Disorders, Schedule of Ratings http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38CFR/BOOKC/PART4/S4_130.DOC 
Mental Health Program Guidelines http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1094 
Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers http://www.mirecc.med.va.gov/ 
MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Centers of Excellence http://www.va.gov/ms/about.asp 
My Health e Vet http://www.myhealth.va.gov/ 
NASDVA.COM http://nasdva.com/ 
National Association of State Directors http://www.nasdva.com/ 
National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention http://www.nchpdp.med.va.gov/postdeploymentlinks.asp 
Neurological Conditions and Convulsive Disorders, Schedule of Ratings http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/regs/38cfr/bookc/part4/s4%5F124a.doc 
OMI (Office of Medical Inspector) http://www.omi.cio.med.va.gov/ 
Online VA Form 10-10EZ https://www.1010ez..med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez/ 
Parkinson's Disease and Related Neurodegenerative Disorders http://www1.va.gov/resdev/funding/solicitations/docs/parkinsons.pdf 
and, http://www1.va.gov/padrecc/ 
Peacetime Disability Compensation http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&docid=Cite:+38USC1131 
Pension for Non-Service-Connected Disability or Death http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter15_subchapteri_.html and,http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter15_subchapterii_.html 
and, http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partii_chapter15_subchapteriii_.html 
Persian Gulf Registry http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1003 
This program is now referred to as Gulf War Registry Program (to include Operation Iraqi Freedom) as of March 7, 2005:http://www1..va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1232 
Persian Gulf Registry Referral Centers http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1006 
Persian Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Research 1999, Annual Report To Congress http://www1.va.gov/resdev/1999_Gulf_War_Veterans'_Illnesses_Appendices.doc Persian Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Research 2002, Annual Report To Congress http://www1.va.gov/resdev/prt/gulf_war_2002/GulfWarRpt02.pdf 
Phase I PGR http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1004 
Phase II PGR http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1005 
Policy Manual Index http://www.va.gov/publ/direc/eds/edsmps.htm 
Power of Attorney http://www.warms.vba..va.gov/admin21/m21_1/mr/part1/ch03.doc Project 112 (Including Project SHAD) http://www1.va.gov/shad/ 
Prosthetics Eligibility http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=337 
Public Health and Environmental Hazards Home Page http://www.vethealth.cio.med.va.gov/ 
Public Health/SARS http://www..publichealth.va.gov/SARS/ 
Publications Manuals http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/publications.cfm?Pub=4 
Publications and Reports http://www1.va.gov/resdev/prt/pubs_individual.cfm?webpage=gulf_war.htm 
Records Center and Vault Homepage http://www.aac.va.gov/vault/default.html 
Records Center and Vault Site Map http://www.aac.va.gov/vault/sitemap.html 
REQUEST FOR AND CONSENT TO RELEASE OF INFORMATION FROM CLAIMANT'S RECORDS http://www.forms.va.gov/va/Internet/VARF/getformharness.asp?formName=3288-form.xft 
Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses April 11, 2002 http://www1.va.gov/rac-gwvi/docs/Minutes_April112002.doc 
Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses 
http://www1.va.gov/rac-gwvi/docs/ReportandRecommendations_2004.pdf 
Research and Development http://www.appc1.va.gov/resdev/programs/all_programs.cfm 
Survivor's and Dependents' Educational Assistance http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title38/partiii_chapter35_.html 
Title 38 Index Parts 0-17 
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfrv1_02.tpl 
Part 18 
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfrv2_02.tpl 
Title 38 Part 3 Adjudication Subpart A "Pension, Compensation, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfr3_main_02.tpl 
Title 38 Pensions, Bonuses & Veterans Relief (also § 3.317 Compensation for certain disabilities due to undiagnosed illnesses found here)http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38cfr3_main_02.tpl Title 38 PART 4--SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES Subpart B--DISABILITY RATINGS 
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=ab7641afd195c84a49a2067dbbcf95c0&rgn=div6&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.2&idno=38 
Title 38§ 4.16 Total disability ratings for compensation based on unemployability of the individual. PART A "SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES Subpart à "General Policy in Rating http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1b0c269b510d3157fbf8f8801bc9b3dc&rgn=div8&view=text&node=38:1.0.1.1.5.1..96.11&idno=38 
U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims http://www.vetapp.gov/ 
VA Best Practice Manual for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) http://www.avapl.org/pub/PTSD%20Manual%20final%206.pdf 
VA Fact Sheet http://www1.va.gov/opa/fact/gwfs.html 
VA Health Care Eligibility http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/home/hecmain.asp 
VA INSTITUTING GLOBAL ASSESSMENT OF FUNCTION (GAF) http://www.avapl.org/gaf/gaf.html 
VA Life Insurance Handbook ¬" Chapter 3 http://www.insurance.va.gov/inForceGliSite/GLIhandbook/glibookletch3.htm#310 
VA Loan Lending Limits and Jumbo Loans http://valoans.com/va_facts_limits.cfm 
VA MS Research http://www.va.gov/ms/about.asp 
VA National Hepatitis C Program http://www.hepatitis.va.gov/ 
VA Office of Research and Development http://www1.va.gov/resdev/ 
VA Trainee Pocket Card on Gulf War http://www.va.gov/OAA/pocketcard/gulfwar.asp 
VA WMD EMSHG http://www1.va.gov/emshg/ 
VA WRIISC-DC http://www.va.gov/WRIISC-DC/ 
VAOIG Hotline Telephone Number and Address http://www.va.gov/oig/hotline/hotline3.htm 
Vet Center Eligibility - Readjustment Counseling Service http://www.va.gov/rcs/Eligibility.htm 
Veterans Benefits Administration Main Web Page http://www.vba.va.gov/ 
Veterans Legal and Benefits Information http://valaw.org/ 
VHA Forms, Publications, Manuals http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ 
VHA Programs - Clinical Programs & Initiatives http://www1.va.gov/health_benefits/page.cfm?pg=13 http://webmaila.juno.com/webmail/new/UrlBlockedError.aspx> 
VHA Public Health Strategic Health Care Group Home Page http: // www.publichealth.va.gov/ 
VHI Guide to Gulf War Veterans ¬(tm) Health http://www1.va.gov/vhi_ind_study/gulfwar/istudy/index.asp 
Vocational Rehabilitation http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/ 
Vocational Rehabilitation Subsistence http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/InterSubsistencefy04.doc 
VONAPP online http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp 
WARMS - 38 CFR Book C http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/bookc.html 
Wartime Disability Compensation http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&docid=Cite:+38USC1110 
War-Related Illness and Injury Study Center - New Jersey http://www.wri.med.va.gov/ 
Welcome to the GI Bill Web Site http://www.gibill.va.gov/ 
What VA Social Workers Do http://www1.va.gov/socialwork/page.cfm?pg=3 
WRIISC Patient Eligibility http://www.illegion.org/va1.html 

Program to Encourage Active and Rewarding Lives (PEARLS) is now live in Chicago

The Salvation Army is now open for business with their PEARLS program. PEARLS is the Program to Encourage Active and Rewarding Lives. This is a short term, in-home treatment program designed to reduce depression in physically impaired and socially isolated seniors.

PEARLS uses problem solving, social and physical activation and increased pleasant events to reduce depression.

This is a behavioral eight session program which takes place over a period of 15 weeks, with follow up phone calls for 3-4 months following completion.

There is no fee to the client.  (Medicare may be billed, for those clients who have it.)

An appropriate client for PEARLS will be suffering from minor to major depression and able to engage in an empowering, structured, problem-solving behavioral program.
PEARLS is not psychotherapy, but could lead to referral to counseling or other services.

Paula Christiansen, LCSW will be accepting referrals for PEARLS. All clients are screened for the program. When we receive referrals which are not appropriate for PEARLS, we will make every effort to provide alternative referrals.

She can receive referrals and inquiries by email,Paula_Christiansen@usc.salvationarmy.org fax (773 275-6288) and phone (773 433-5735.)

3 Biggest Mistakes Made When Choosing Assisted Living

Recently I have been at work on a comprehensive guide to choosing assisted living with another senior living advisor, Jackie Wargo in Scottsdale Arizona.  It has been a lot of work and we still have a lot more to get done but in the meantime we are offering a free download of part 1 which is called:  "3 Biggest mistakes adults make when choosing assisted living for their parent or a loved one"

If you would like a copy for yourself just fill out the form below.  I am going to try to also put this form on the side of the blog so it is always available!

If for some reason the form is not showing up in this actual post please look to the side of the blog or send me a message or a comment and I will personally send you the link!