Retire-VA 2021 - 43

ASK THE EXPERTS

Retirement Q&A
With retirement comes many questions. Luckily, our experts are ready to help you with your journey.

Q: How should my money be invested once
I retire?
A: Since retirees may be living largely
off their savings, that money should be
protected in case of a recession or market
downturn. Their number one concern
usually is "not running out of money." Being
more conservative in retirement can be
beneficial. However, retirement savings also
need to earn enough gains to keep up with
inflation. A financial advisor should be able
to recommend the right mix of investments
towards keeping some money safe while
allowing a portion of the portfolio to grow.
For more detailed planning as you approach
retirement, seek the advice of an advisor
experienced in retirement preparation.
Patrick Ayers, President/CEO
Ayers Financial Services
540-563-9144
AyersFinancialServices.com

Q: What are the benefits of being in a community
like Brandon Oaks during this pandemic?
A: As a full service, continuing care Life Plan
community, Brandon Oaks offers everything
residents need on one campus. This includes
dining, housekeeping, maintenance and
assistance with services such as grocery
delivery. During this pandemic, we have had to
take various steps to keep both our residents and
staff safe. We have made changes to ensure that
Brandon Oaks the safest possible place for our
residents. From room service meal delivery to
creating visitation booths for our more vulnerable
groups like assisted living and nursing center,
we've truly put our residents first, as we always
do. Providing them everything they need while
staying safe at home at Brandon Oaks.
Carter Hanna, Director of
Sales and Marketing
Brandon Oaks Life Plan Community

Q: Should I delay my move to a retirement
community until after the pandemic?
A: If the home you want at your preferred Life
Plan Community (LPC) is available and you
feel ready to move, go ahead and do it. Being
at an LPC can help to counteract the social
isolation and lack of access to supportive
services that may be an issue even in "normal"
times. At BRC we've proven that moving can
be safe with the right protocols in place. You'll
get a tremendous amount of support during
the process as well as after you move in, and
you'll settle into a community that makes your
health and wellbeing the top priority.

Q: What should I consider when choosing a
Home Care provider?
A: First, consider the type of services that
are needed at home. If your illness is shortterm and your goal is to return to your prior
level of function before becoming ill, home
health services may meet your needs. If your
medical condition challenges a return to
your prior level of function or if your illness
is serious or complex, consider your overall
goals of care. What is most important ...
cure or comfort? If you are facing a serious,
life-limiting condition, palliative or hospice
services may be most comfortable for you.
Lisa Sprinkel, M.S.N, R.N.,
Senior Director, Carilion Clinic
Home Care and Hospice
800-964-9300,
CarilionClinic.org/home-care

Q: How do I avoid hiring a "rogue mover"?
A: An unlicensed mover is a "rogue mover." In
order to load a For Hire truck, a local mover
needs to be certified by the DMV. And to
carry household goods across a state line,
they need a federal MC number. To validate a
VA mover's credentials, go online to VMWA.
org or to verify interstate credentials go to
fmcsa.dot.gov.
Linda Balentine, President
Crowning Touch Senior Moving Services
540-982-5800, CrowningTouchUSA.com

Q: What makes Commonwealth Home
Health Care different from other medical
equipment companies?
A: Commonwealth Home Health Care has
an Intake Department that receives every
order/prescription and evaluates it to
ensure it meets the criteria established
by the patient's insurance company for
payment. Commonwealth Home Health
Care will not push equipment out to a
patient without ensuring their insurance
will cover the expense. If for any reason
Commonwealth Home Health Care cannot
get the equipment covered by insurance,
we make the patient aware of that fact so
they can decide if they want the equipment
anyway. Commonwealth Home Health Care
protects the patient and their family from
uncovered equipment and huge expenses
that they might not expect.

Q: Is my home the best option to continue an
active social life in retirement?
A: Remaining in your home can often be
costly due to renovations that need to be
made in order to age in place. It can also
lead to isolation and loneliness, which many
are experiencing, especially during this
Coronavirus pandemic. When you move to
Friendship, you have more freedom as the daily
details are taken care of for you. You also have
a caring, supportive and award-winning team
that enjoys life with you, and is always looking
out for your best interests and well-being, so
you can live life how you choose!
Stephanie Landes, CFRE
Friendship
540-265-2100
Friendship.us

Q: When is the Annual Enrollment Period
for Medicare Recipients to make changes to
their healthcare plans?
A: The Annual Enrollment Period for Medicare
recipients is October 15th-December 7th.
There are some Special Enrollment Periods
throughout the rest of the year for people
with special circumstances.
Billie Hudson
Humana Marketpoint
540-353-6342
Humana.com

Q: My neighbor was the victim of a scam
and lost several hundred dollars. I want to
help her, but she is embarrassed that she
"fell" for this scam and did not want to file a
report with any authorities. How can I help?
Tell your clients it's okay to ask for help. Being
the victim of a scam can be embarrassing and
cause shame, which can prevent many people
from seeking help. Empower your clients to
seek help. Be empathetic, listen to them and
help connect them with resources. Their first
step should be reporting the scam to the
authorities. If your clients are unsure about
which government agency to report to, start
with the police. If the scam involved a specific
card or ID, report it to that organization. For
example, if the scam involved the client's
Social Security number, report it to the Social
Security Administration. If it involved their
Medicare ID number, report it to the Centers
for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Remind
them that reporting the scam helps to prevent
future victims.

Brian P. Wilson, RCP, EMT-I
Chief Operations Officer
Commonwealth Home Health Care

Rodney Alderfer, President
Bridgewater Retirement Community
540-828-2550, BRCLiving.org
RETIRE-VA 2021 / Retire-VA.com / 43

http://www.Friendship.us http://www.CarilionClinic.org/home-care http://www.AyersFinancialServices.com http://fmcsa.dot.gov http://www.Humana.com http://www.crowningtouchusa.com/ http://www.BRCLiving.org

Retire-VA 2021

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