Mukilteo Beacon - Your Hometown News Source

Dear Savvy Senior, Which vaccines are recommended for Medicare seniors this flu season? – Just Turned 65 Dear Just Turned, There are actually three different types of vaccines... — Updated 9/20/2023

Dear Savvy Senior, How does Medicare cover preventive health screenings? I’m due to get a physical and a colonoscopy this year, but I want to find out what I’ll have to pay for... — Updated 9/6/2023

Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about green funeral options? At age 80, I would like to preplan my funeral and make it as natural as possible. – Old Environmentalist Dear... — Updated 8/2/2023

Dear Savvy Senior, How are Social Security benefits handled when someone dies? After a long illness, my 68-year-old father has only weeks left to live. I am helping my mom figure... — Updated 6/28/2023

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good online dating apps or sites for retirees? I’m a 66-year-old widow and would like to find a new friend to spend time with, but... — Updated 6/7/2023

Dear Savvy Senior, I would like to make my last will and testament and would like to know if I can do it myself, or do I need to hire a lawyer? – Don’t Have Much Dear Don’t,... — Updated 5/24/2023

Dear Savvy Senior, What’s the best way to go about choosing an assisted living facility for my 86-year-old father? Since mom died last year, his health has declined to the point... — Updated 5/3/2023

Dear Savvy Senior, What are the new rules on required minimum distributions from IRAs and 401(k)s? I will turn 72 this year and want to be clear on what I’m required to do. ... — Updated 3/22/2023

Dear Savvy Senior, I am interested in possibly donating my body to science when I pass away. What can you tell me about this, and what would I need to do to set it up? – Getting... — Updated 3/15/2023

Dear Savvy Senior, What tools can you recommend to help protect trusting seniors from scam calls? My 74-year-old mother gets tons of unwanted telemarketing and robocalls on her... — Updated 3/1/2023

Dear Savvy Senior, Falls and fires are the two things I worry most about for my elderly father who lives alone. Do you have any suggestions on what we can do to help keep him safe,... — Updated 2/22/2023

Dear Savvy Senior, What steps need to be taken after a loved one dies? My 71-year-old uncle, who’s divorced with no children, has terminal cancer. He’s asked me to take care of... — Updated 2/8/2023

Dear Savvy Senior, I need to find someone honest and reliable to look after my estate, health, and long-term care when I’m no longer able to do it myself. I’m a 67-year-old rece... — Updated 1/25/2023

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend any businesses or services that specialize in helping seniors downsize and relocate? I need to find some help moving my mother from her four-bed... — Updated 1/15/2023

Dear Savvy Senior, I’m interested in getting some of the new over-the-counter hearing aids that just became available a few months ago. Can you offer any tips to help me with... — Updated 1/11/2023

Dear Savvy Senior, What types of financial resources are available to help seniors pay for long-term care? My 86-year-old mother will need either an assisted living facility or... — Updated 11/23/2022

Dear Savvy Senior, What are the most common scams today that target elderly seniors? My 75-year-old mother has been swindled several times over the past year, so I’m being extra... — Updated 11/17/2022

Dear Savvy Senior, Do you know of any car gadgets that can help older drivers? I drive a 12-year-old car and have arthritis in my neck, back, and knees which limits my mobility... — Updated 10/19/2022

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