Mukilteo Beacon - Your Hometown News Source

Dear Savvy Senior, I’m planning to enroll in original Medicare in a few months and have been told I probably need to get a Medicare supplemental policy too. Can you offer any... — Updated 9/21/2022

Dear Savvy Senior, What kinds of clothing options are available to mobility challenged seniors who have a difficult time dressing? – Looking for Mom Dear Looking, The chore of... — Updated 8/24/2022

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend any services that check in on elderly seniors who live alone? I live about 200 miles from my 82-year-old mother and worry about her falling or g... — Updated 8/17/2022

Dear Savvy Senior, I would like to hire an in-home helper for my 82-year-old mother to assist with household chores like housekeeping, grocery shopping and driving her to the... — Updated 7/27/2022

Dear Savvy Senior, A while back I saw an article on different ways to scatter a person’s ashes after they’re cremated, but I’ve misplaced it. Can you help me with this? I’m... — Updated 4/21/2022

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you direct me to some really cheap wireless smartphone plans for seniors who don’t use much data? I use my smartphone primarily for texting and talking but... — Updated 2/23/2022

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you decipher the different types of housing options available to seniors, and recommend some good resources for locating them? I need to find a place for my... — Updated 1/21/2022

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good resources that can help my wife and me determine the best claiming ages for maximizing our Social Security retirement benefits? ... — Updated 12/15/2021

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend any resources that offer help to family caregivers? I’ve been taking care of my 86-year-old mother and could use some help. – Burned-Out... — Updated 11/17/2021

Dear Savvy Senior, Who qualifies for Social Security survivor benefits? My ex-husband died last year, so I would like to find out if I or my 17-year-old daughter are eligible for... — Updated 10/20/2021

Dear Savvy Senior, Does Social Security offer any special help to beneficiaries who struggle managing their benefits? My aunt, who has no children, has dementia and struggles... — Updated 9/15/2021

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you tell me what I need to do to replace a variety of important documents? Our house burned down a few months ago, and we lost everything including our home... — Updated 8/18/2021

Dear Savvy Senior, My husband and I will both be retiring in a few years and are interested in relocating to a warmer climate, but could use some help. What resources can you... — Updated 7/21/2021

Dear Savvy Senior, What tips can you offer for downsizing? My husband and I would like to relocate from our house into a retirement community condo near our daughter, but need to ge... — Updated 6/16/2021

Dear Savvy Senior, What are the best Medicare coverage options for COVID-vaccinated retirees who are eager to travel? My wife and I will both turn 65 over the next few months and... — Updated 5/20/2021

Dear Savvy Senior, I just turned 60 and would like to find out the best way to go about locating senior discounts. – Looking to Save Dear Looking, One of the best, yet... — Updated 4/21/2021

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you give me some tips on how to pick a good nursing home in the COVID era? My mother had a stroke a while back and can’t use her legs any longer. I’ve bee... — Updated 3/17/2021

Dear Savvy Senior, I am interested in getting my mom, who lives alone, a medical alert system with a wearable pendant button that will let her call for help if she falls or has a... — Updated 2/17/2021

Dear Savvy Senior, I understand that a portion of my Social Security benefits may be taxable when I retire. Can you tell me how to calculate this? – Ready to Retire Dear Ready,... — Updated 1/20/2021 Full story

Dear Savvy Senior, My mom, who’s 76, has become more forgetful lately, and is worried she may be getting Alzheimer’s disease. What resources can you recommend to help us get a... — Updated 12/16/2020

Dear Savvy Senior, Will my Medicare benefits be affected if Obamacare is overturned by the Supreme Court? – Concerned Beneficiary Dear Concerned, Unfortunately, yes. If the... — Updated 11/19/2020

Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any resources that you know of that can help seniors detect fake news? My 75-year-old mother shares a lot of misinformation with her family and friends... — Updated 10/28/2020

Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about reverse mortgages? The coronavirus damage to my retirement account has me considering it, but I want to make sure I know what I'm... — Updated 9/23/2020

Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any financial assistance programs you can refer me to? The coronavirus pandemic has cost me my part-time retirement job and has shrunk my measly IRA... — Updated 8/26/2020

Dear Savvy Senior, I lost my job last month because of the coronavirus crisis. With little savings, I've been thinking about starting my Social Security benefits early to help me... — Updated 7/22/2020