Month: December 2023

Categories
Senior Real Estate

Real Estate In Your Senior Years

Real Estate In Your Senior Years

Option 1: Get The Home Ready and Sell It

Our team can help you or your loved ones put together a comprehensive plan regarding your real estate and how that real estate will play into your long term goals.  We can help you navigate step by step the transition into a new living arrangement that will best fit you or your loved ones needs.  
Here is an overview of our process:
  1. We will start with a free consultation where we will travel to your home and assess the condition of the property to see if it would make financial sense to make some changes, or if it would be most beneficial to sell the house in “as-is” condition.
  2. We will help you understand the value of the property and assess what if any needs you might have in preparing the house for sell. Examples of this could be someone to help organize, pack, clean out, or make repairs where it makes sense. If the property needs work, we will help you with our network of vendors who can provide different options when it comes to financing the work needed.
  3. We will put together a plan so that you understand every step of the process and how we can help you at each stage. Moving is a stressful time so let us help you take the stress out of it!
  4. Once we get to the point of listing the house for sell, we will help educate you as to the most effective marketing tools that will be used to help you achieve your real estate goals.
 

Option 2: Sell The Home As Is

If you’re in a situation where your mom needs to move into an assisted living facility or you need to help her get into rehab, it can be overwhelming. We understand.

You might live out of state and be trying to help her from across the country… or you might have a job or family that doesn’t allow you to spend hours on end going through every item that is in the house or clearing everything out, decluttering, organizing things or working with vendors or contractors to fix things.

There is so much to get done and not enough hours in the day to get them done!

There is an alternative if you need money sooner than later– selling is still an option. You can choose to not do anything to the home and have someone purchase the home as-is. No need to clear everything out, clean out the house, getting professional photographers involved…

There are always things you want to consider when deciding what option is right for you. But if it’s something that needs done fast without having time or energy for all those other tasks? Reach out! We can walk you through all of the steps of what that would look like and determine if this would be best for your family.

Categories
Senior Tips

Creative Hobbies That Can Benefit Seniors

Unleashing Creativity: 25 Hobbies That Enrich Senior Lives

As we age, engaging in creative hobbies can offer more than just a way to pass the time—they can enhance our mental well-being, encourage social interaction, and provide a sense of accomplishment. Creative activities are not just fun; they are a crucial aspect of staying active and engaged in later life. They help improve cognitive function, reduce the risk of mental health issues, enhance motor skills, and provide opportunities for socialization. Whether it’s through painting, gardening, or crafting, each hobby offers unique benefits that can significantly improve the quality of life for seniors.

 
25 CREATIVE HOBBIES FOR SENIORS:
PAINTING AND DRAWING

Express your inner artist through brush and colors, enhancing fine motor skills and fostering a sense of personal achievement.

GARDENING

Cultivate a garden to stay physically active and connected to nature, benefiting both your body and mind.

CRAFTING

From knitting and crochet to scrapbooking, crafting can improve hand-eye coordination and has a calming effect.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Capture life’s moments while improving technical skills and artistic expression.

COOKING AND BAKING

Experiment with new recipes that stimulate the senses and invite social gatherings.

WRITING AND POETRY

Tell your stories or craft poems, enhancing cognitive abilities and emotional expression.

MUSIC AND SINGING

Play an instrument or sing in a choir to improve auditory skills and emotional well-being.

DANCE

Join a dance class tailored for seniors to stay active and enjoy the rhythm of music socially.

POTTERY

Create pottery, which promotes hand dexterity and creativity.

JEWELRY MAKING

Design and create your own jewelry, a fine motor activity that also allows for artistic expression.

WOODWORKING

Build and carve wood projects to enhance spatial reasoning and manual dexterity.

BIRD WATCHING

Observe and learn about local wildlife, which can be relaxing and educational.

YOGA AND TAI CHI

Engage in gentle exercises that promote flexibility, balance, and mental calm.

QUILTING

Assemble quilts, combining artistic design with practical sewing skills.

BOOK CLUBS

Participate in discussions that keep the mind sharp and encourage social interaction.

CALLIGRAPHY

Practice the art of beautiful writing, which is both meditative and skill-enhancing.

PUZZLE SOLVING

Work on puzzles like crosswords or jigsaw puzzles to boost problem-solving skills.

MODEL BUILDING

Construct models, a meticulous hobby that requires patience and attention to detail.

COMPUTER AND TECHNOLOGY CLASSES

Stay updated with technology, fostering lifelong learning and keeping the brain engaged.

VOLUNTEERING

Contribute to community projects that provide a sense of purpose and connection.

AQUARIUM KEEPING

Maintain a home aquarium, which can be a calming and rewarding hobby.

MOSAIC MAKING

Create art by assembling pieces of glass or ceramic, which boosts decorative planning skills.

GENEALOGY

Trace family history to forge a personal connection with the past and document heritage.

SOAP OR CANDLE MAKING

Engage in these crafts to produce useful items and explore chemical processes simply.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING

Challenge the brain by learning a new language, which also prepares for travel and cultural exploration.

With 25 enriching hobbies to choose from, seniors have countless ways to stay active, engaged, and joyful in their later years. Each hobby offers unique benefits that cater to different interests and capabilities, ensuring that every senior can find something that resonates with their lifestyle and preferences.

Categories
Medicaid

Can I Transfer My Assets To My Kids And Still Get On Medicaid?

Can I Transfer My Assets To My Kids And Still Get On Medicaid?

Getting on Medicaid can be a great resource for individuals with limited income and assets who need help paying for their medical expenses. However, it’s important to understand the asset limit requirements and the potential consequences of gifting assets before applying for Medicaid.

Medicaid requires individuals to have below a certain number of assets before they can qualify for the program. This can be challenging for some people, especially if they have assets that they wish to pass on to their loved ones. While giving assets away can seem like a good solution, Medicaid has strict guidelines about gift giving, and frowns upon this practice.

Medicaid argues that if you have the available means to pay for medical expenses out of pocket, you should do so before relying on the state to care for you. This makes sense, as Medicaid is meant to help those who are in financial need. If individuals are giving away their assets instead of using them to pay for medical care, it compromises the integrity of the program.

This is why it is crucial to discuss asset protection strategies with qualified Medicaid planning professionals before giving away assets. There are several ways to make gifts in a Medicaid-compliant way, so you can preserve your assets while still qualifying for the program. It’s important to know your options and explore all possibilities before making any decisions.

At Utah Senior Planning, we understand the desire to leave a legacy for your loved ones. That’s why we are dedicated to helping individuals who wish to preserve their assets through Medicaid planning strategies. With our well-thought-out plans and strategies, we enable our clients to achieve success and still qualify for Medicaid. 

If you are considering gifting assets or need help with Medicaid planning, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help you navigate the process and find the best solution for your specific situation.