Hi all --

I've just returned from a trip to Orlando. No, not to see Mickey. I was the keynote speaker at the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers -- a great group of very caring people. Thanks to all of you for the wonderful reception.

I am so pleased and relieved to announce that my workbook has a new title! The new title is . . . (drum roll, please . . . ) The Ultimate Caregiver's Survival Guide. Congratulations and thank you very much to Kelly Welles for her winning title!  For more information and a special "re-introduction bonus", please see below.

Save the Date: The next series of the 8-week program -- How To Be Your Own Generational Coach -- will be starting on Tuesday, June 10th. You can check out the program by clicking here: www.agewiseliving.com/shop-gencoach.htm.

By the way . . . in addition to Mother's Day and Memorial Day, May is Older American's month so celebrate your elders all month!!

Happy Mother's Day and Happy Memorial Day -- and enjoy the unofficial beginning of Summer!

BARBARA QUOTED AND PUBLISHED

I am delighted to report that I was quoted in Stuck in the Middle with You, an article by Gina Shaw. The best part is that it is posted on Oprah's website!! You can read the article by going to http://www.oprah.com/relationships/webmd/200802/relationships_stuck_b1.jhtml

In addition, an article I wrote, The Power of Persuasion, has been published in b magazine. b magazine is the premier lifestyle publication dedicated to the lives of baby boomers in Central Pennsylvania. To read the article, go to http://www.onlinepub.com and click on b magazine.

WITH OVER 150 PAGES, the Ultimate Caregiver's Survival Guide -- The step by step blueprint for resolving your eldercare issues by choice, not crisis is a complete, step-by-step, do-it-yourself guide.

It includes all the necessary elements -- worksheets, checklists, examples, instructions, and tips so you can successfully address the whole spectrum of eldercare issues -- including sibling issues so you can resolve your eldercare issues by choice, not crisis.

If you were waiting to order this vital resource until the new title was announced, good move because . . . .

The 1st 100 people to order The Ultimate Caregiver’s Survival Guide will also get the 3-CD set of The AgeWiseLiving Expert Series. So in addition to getting the step-by-step blueprint for resolving your eldercare issues by choice, not crisis, you’ll also get important information about how to work with an elder law attorney, a personal financial planner, and a relationship expert. 

Remember . . .

If you're waiting for a better time - don't! 

There is no better time!

For more information and to purchase your copy, please click here.

ARTICLE: VETERANS' ADMINISTRATION SPECIAL PENSION BENEFIT

The Veterans' Administration offers a Special Pension with Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefit that is largely unknown. Some reports indicate it is being claimed by only one in seven who are eligible for it. It can pay for in-home caretakers, a skilled nursing facility, and assisted living. Low income veterans of all wars can qualify. Their disability does not have to be war-related and spouses of deceased veterans are also eligible.

This Special Pension (part of the VA Improved Pension program) allows for Veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in activities of daily living (eg: eating, bathing, dressing, toileting) to receive additional monetary benefits. It also includes individuals who are blind or a patient in a nursing home because of mental or physical incapacity. Assisted care in an assisted living facility also qualifies.

This most important benefit is overlooked by many families with Veterans or surviving spouses who need additional monies to help care for ailing parents or loved ones. This is a "pension benefit" and is not dependent upon service-related injuries for compensation. Most Veterans who are in need of assistance qualify for this pension. A Veteran is eligible for up to $1,519 per month, while a surviving spouse is eligible for up to $976 per month. A couple is eligible for up to $1,801 per month.

Every county has a "county service officer" whose job it is to help people process claims but not all are informed about this benefit. If you're not confident about the information you are receiving from the county service officer in your county, try another county to get the information you need.

You also might want to contact a good financial advisor or an elder law attorney. However, federal law prohibits private individuals from charging veterans for benefit claims, so expect to be charged for other services while handling the claim.

You should also expect the claim to take some time to be processed but the good news is that, even if it takes the VA six months to process it, if you're deemed eligible, it's retroactive to the date you filed the claim.

To learn more about the Aid & Attendance Special Pension, Eligibility Requirements, How to Apply, What to Expect, Necessary Forms, and Resources to help you with this critical benefit, please go to http://www.veteranaid.org.

In addition, the Aid and Attendance Benefit is considered to be the third tier of a VA program called Improved Pension. The other two tiers are Basic and Housebound. Each tier has its own level of benefits and qualifications. While at the www.veteranaid.org site, I urge you to read an important document prepared by the American Veterans Institute that clearly explains the Improved Pension program, its levels of benefits and the qualifications for each. If you or your loved one does not qualify for Aid and Attendance, you may want to check to see if you qualify for another level of the Pension.

Upcoming Seminars

AgeWiseLiving NO-CHARGE TELESEMINAR

POOLED INCOME TRUSTS

Stay at home and keep your income while under Medicaid

WEDNESDAY, May 14TH, 2008
7:00 to 8:00p EASTERN TIME
To join this FREE teleseminar, at 7p just call:
(712) 580-7706 ~ Conference Code: 6784548#

Upcoming Live Seminars

For information about how to attend an AgeWiseLiving seminar and upcoming dates and locations, please go to Seminars.