Savvy Senior

Dear Savvy Senior, Since retiring, my husband and I love to travel but hotel costs eat up our budget so fast we can’t stay as long, or go as often as we’d like to. I’ve heard that there are alternative lodging options like short-term apartment rentals or even house sitting that offer a much cheaper way to travel. How can we find these? Retired Travelers Dear Travelers, If you’re willing to do a little research and preplanning, there are a number of ways you can lower (or eliminate) your travel-lodging costs and live more like a … [Read more...] about Alternative lodging options for retirees who travel

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good ergonomic gardening gear for seniors? My 72-year-old mother loves to work in the garden, but has been plagued by various gardening injuries this year. Looking for Solutions Dear Looking, There’s no doubt that gardening can be tough on an aging body. Garden work often requires a lot of repetitive stooping, squatting, kneeling, gripping and lifting, which can lead to back and knee pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and various other injuries. To help make your mom’s gardening chores … [Read more...] about Ergonomic tools that can ease gardening pains

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 protect myself from identify theft if my purse and Medicare card get stolen? Conflicted Beneficiary Dear Conflicted, Many people new to Medicare are surprised to learn that the ID number on their Medicare card is identical to their Social Security number. After all, we’re constantly … [Read more...] about How to protect your Medicare card from identity theft

Dear Savvy Senior, At age 63, I will be retiring in a few months and need to find some health insurance coverage for my wife and me until Medicare kicks in. Is Obamacare my only option? About to Retire Dear About, There are actually several places early (pre-Medicare) retirees can go to find health insurance coverage – Obamacare isn’t the only game in town. Here are your options depending on your income and health care needs. Government Marketplaces If your yearly income falls below the 400 percent poverty level, the … [Read more...] about Health insurance options for early retirees

Dear Savvy Senior, What types of senior discounts are available to older travelers? My husband and I are approaching retirement and love to travel, but love to save money too. Almost Retired Dear Almost, There is actually wide variety of travel discounts available to older travelers – usually starting at either age 50, 55, 60, 62 or 65. But, you first need to be aware that when it comes to senior travel bargains, the “senior discount” may not always be the best deal. Hotels, airlines and cruise lines, for example, offer … [Read more...] about Travel discounts available to older travelers

Dear Savvy Senior, What does Medicare cover when it comes to eye care? I currently have good vision insurance through my employer but will lose it when I retire. Looking Ahead Dear Looking, Many retirees are unclear with what Medicare does and doesn’t cover when it comes to eye care. The good news is that Medicare covers most medical issues like cataract surgery, treatment of eye diseases and medical emergencies. But unfortunately, routine care like eye exams and eyeglasses are usually the beneficiary’s responsibility. … [Read more...] about How Medicare covers your eyes

Dear Savvy Senior, What does Medicare cover when it comes to eye care? I currently have good vision insurance through my employer but will lose it when I retire. Looking Ahead Dear Looking, Many retirees are unclear with what Medicare does and doesn’t cover when it comes to eye care. The good news is that Medicare covers most medical issues like cataract surgery, treatment of eye diseases and medical emergencies. But unfortunately, routine care like eye exams and eyeglasses are usually the beneficiary’s responsibility. … [Read more...] about How Medicare covers your eyes

Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any computer software products that you know of that will let me help my parents with their computer issues from afar? They are in their seventies and frequently call me with their computer questions and problems, but I live across town and don’t always have time to get in the car and drive over to help them. What’s available that can help us? Weary Son Dear Weary, Helping an elder loved with their computer questions or problems over the phone can be frustrating and difficult. Fortunately, there … [Read more...] about How to help seniors with their computer issues from far away

Dear Savvy Senior, I would like to fly my elderly parents across the country next month for my daughter’s wedding but have some concerns about the flight. My mom has trouble walking long distances and my dad has COPD and needs an oxygen tank. What airport or airline services are available to help old passengers? Concerned Daughter Dear Concerned, Flying can be physically exhausting for anyone, but for seniors with health issues or physical limitations it can be extremely challenging. Here are a few tips that can … [Read more...] about Air travel tips for seniors with special needs

Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about reverse mortgages? I was considering one last year, but now I hear they are more difficult to get. Ready to Reverse Dear Ready, That’s correct. Tighter rules on reverse mortgages that have recently gone into affect have made them harder to get, especially for seniors with heavy debt problems. The reason the Federal Housing Administration made these changes was to strengthen the product, which has suffered from a struggling housing market and a growing number of defaults by … [Read more...] about How reverse mortgages work in 2014