Mukilteo Beacon - Your Hometown News Source

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you write a column on ethical wills and how to make one? The attorney that made up my will recently suggested I write one as a tool to explain the intentions of my will, as well as express my thoughts and feelings, but I don...

Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about reverse mortgages for retirees? My wife and I are contemplating getting one but want to make sure we know what we’re getting into. Running Short Dear Running, For retirees who own their home and want...

Dear Savvy Senior, Do you know of any resources that can help with my mother’s home-care bills? Mom is recovering from a stroke and needs in-home care, but I understand Medicare doesn’t cover it, and she doesn’t have long-term care insurance....

Dear Savvy Senior, What tips can you recommend to help make a home safer for aging-in-place? My 76-year-old mother wants to stay living in her own home for as long as possible, but she doesn’t have the money for any big renovations. Concerned son...

Dear Savvy Senior, What are the eligibility requirements to get Medicaid coverage for nursing home care? Caregiving Daughter Dear Caregiving, The rules and requirements for Medicaid eligibility for nursing home care are complicated and will vary...

Dear Savvy Senior, My wife and I are both in our late 60s and looking to buy a new car. Can you recommend some good resources that can help us evaluate and choose a good car for older drivers? – Car Shoppers Dear Shoppers, With more than 40 million...

Dear Savvy Senior, I’m worried about my 72-year-old mother who has been taking the opioid medication Vicodin for her hip and back pain for more than a year. I fear she’s becoming addicted to the drug but I don’t know what to do. – Concerned Da...

Dear Savvy Senior, I would like to hire a personal assistant/home helper for my mom to assist with some simple household chores like house keeping, errand running, driving her to the doctor, and keeping her company. But mom doesn’t require...

Dear Savvy Senior, I’m considering retiring later this year and starting my Social Security benefits, but would also like to work part time. Will this affect my benefits, and if so, how much? Ready to Retire Dear Ready, You can collect Social...

Dear Savvy Senior, What is the easiest way to apply for my Social Security retirement benefits, and how far in advance do I need to apply before I start collecting? – Approaching 62 Dear Approaching, The Social Security Administration offers three...

Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any specific flu shots that are better suited for seniors? I just turned 65 and would like to find out what’s recommended and how Medicare covers it. Semi-Healthy Senior Dear Semi-Healthy, There are actually two...

Dear Savvy Senior, My 79-year-old mother, who lives alone, has fallen several times over the past year. Are there any extra precautions we should take that can help prevent this? – Worried Daughter Dear Worried, Falls are a big concern for many...

Dear Savvy Senior, Where can I go to locate financial assistance programs for seniors? I have been helping support my 70-year-old mother the past couple years and really can’t afford to do it any longer. –Feeling Overwhelmed Dear Overwhelmed,...

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend any products that can help older golfers? I love to play golf, but at age 74, I have hip and back problems that make bending over to tee up or pick up the ball difficult. And I have arthritis in my thumbs that...

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you tell me how to go about replacing important lost documents? My wife and I recently downsized to a retirement community, and somewhere in the move we lost our Social Security and Medicare cards, birth certificates, marriage...

Dear Savvy Senior, I just turned 65 and would like to find out what types of vaccinations are recommended to Medicare beneficiaries, and how they are covered. – Health Conscious Dear Conscious, Most people think that vaccinations are just for kids,...

Dear Savvy Senior, Should I enroll in Medicare at age 65 if I’m still working and have coverage through my employer? – Almost 65 Dear Almost, The rules for enrolling in Medicare can be very confusing with all the different choices available...

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you give us a rundown of how reverse mortgages work? I’ve see actors Fred Thompson and Henry Winkler pitching them on TV, and they sound like a good deal. What can you tell me? –Need the Money Dear Need, When it comes to...

Dear Savvy Senior, Where can we find affordable hearing aids? My husband needs a set, but we can’t really afford to pay the exorbitant prices. Can you help us? –Loud-Talking Wife Dear Loud, It’s unfortunate, but millions of Americans with...

Dear Savvy Senior, I would like to get my wife and I set up with some type of roadside assistance service in case we get a flat tire or our battery conks out. Can you recommend some good and affordable services for retirees on a budget? –Too Old to...

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 underutilized benefit?...

Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about online dating for older people? My daughter has been urging me to give it a try, but at age 62, I’m a little hesitant. -Lonely Senior Dear Lonely, Dating sites have become enormously popular among the o...

Dear Savvy Senior, What are the cheapest cellphone options available today to seniors living on a shoestring budget? I only need it for occasional calls. -Seldom Calling Senior Dear Seldom, For financially challenged seniors who only want a cellphone...

Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about online memorials? My uncle recently passed away, and some of the family thought it would be neat to create an online memorial to pay tribute to him, and accommodate the many family and friends who are...

Dear Savvy Senior, I just turned 65 and received my Medicare card. I see that the ID number on my card is the same as my Social Security number, and on the back of the card it tells me I need to carry it with me at all times. What can I do to...