How to Afford a Mobility Scooter in Your Old Age

If you're a senior citizen with mobility issues, a scooter can drastically improve your quality of life. Not only can it serve as a source of physical comfort, but it can also help you feel better emotionally by increasing your confidence in outdoor spaces. Since they can get expensive, however, you might need help affording one.

Here are a few tips for reducing the cost of a mobility scooter.

Government Assistance

If you're disabled, the Australian government offers assistance through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This program is designed to help individuals with disabilities who can't afford the cost of living with their condition on their own. 

You'll need to meet certain requirements to receive a mobility scooter since they're considered a "specialized" and "complex" piece of assistive technology. Still, if you meet the criteria, it'll be provided for you at low or no cost. NDIS might also cover repairs and replacements needed in the future.

Grants

Outside of the government, there are also advocacy and charity groups that offer to fund senior citizens in need. Some, including the Australian Seniors Technology Grant, give money directly to seniors. 

Others are aimed more toward businesses that serve the elderly, but if you're a member of any church, charity, or community program, it might be worth bringing these grants to their attention. They could use the Grants for Seniors program to fund mobility scooters for everyone in your area.

You can also reach out to advocacy groups like the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) to see if they can connect you with any grant-giving programs in your city.

"Pay Later" Platforms

A growing number of "buy now, pay later" platforms are available in Australia. These include Afterpay, Zip, Klarna, and PayRight. When you utilize these services, you can purchase big-ticket items for only a fraction of the cost, leaving the rest billed to you in small, regular installments. 

Depending on the service that you go with, you can make payment plans that last anywhere from 3 - 36 months. Just know that every service is different, so their terms will also differ. 

 

Afterpay has a maximum purchase limit of $2,000, which will only cover the lower end of mobility scooters. By contrast, PayRight has an upper limit of $20,000, but it requires a credit check.

Mobility scooters can get expensive, but they don't have to be unreachable. Even if they're outside your typical budget, you can use these tips and tricks to reduce costs to something more manageable. Good luck!

Taking The Burden Off Your Kids: 5 Saving Tips For Your Golden Years

Most people do not look forward to getting older as there are many changes that accompany getting to our so-called golden years. For instance, the children that seniors once cared for frequently have to take care of their parents as they age. Here are some tips that can help take some of the financial burden off of children. Saving for a good retirement is something that people both young and old and start to focus on to make for a better life and truly make their final years golden.

1. Take Advantage of Discounts

Ben Franklin once quipped that "a penny saved is a penny earned." There are many opportunities for senior citizens to save money through senior discounts. Every penny saved is one penny that a senior or his or her children do not have to spend at a later date. Many grocery and restaurant chains offer discounts that sometimes start as early as AARP eligibility at age 50. These are definitely worth looking into.

2. Cash in on Travel Rewards

Many seniors live at some distance from their adult children and grandchildren. Most of these elders will want to visit with family at some point during the year. Rather than having children foot the bill for travel, seniors can sign up for frequent flyer accounts and hotel rewards programs that can pay off in free flights or free hotel stays. The reduced cost of travel can fit a retired senior's schedule much easier than a working child.

3. Downsize

The American Dream for a large segment of society includes owning a large home. After a couple begins to experience an empty nest, there is no longer a need for 4,000 square feet of living space. One of the best ways to free up some additional cash during retirement can come from downsizing. A two- or three-bedroom home will probably suffice for most retirees. Getting rid of a five- or six-bedroom house can be a great move to reduce financial burdens later in life.

4. Look into Assisted Living

Many children feel obligated to take care of their aging parents. These same adult children will frequently need to be a part of a two-income household just to make ends meet. Getting into an assisted living environment can provide for some of the care that a senior needs while also allowing children to continue working. However, you can plan ahead and avoid ending up somewhere you don't like. Looking into assisted living in Clermont FL and other warm weather locales is often preferable.

5. Set up an HSA

When getting closer to retirement age, a good idea is setting up a Health Savings Account. These accounts can pay for some of the routine medical expenses that Medicare might not cover, and this can help take a big burden off of children.

There are many ways for senior citizens to save their adult children some stress. Whether it is looking into assisted living or cashing in frequent flyer miles for a visit, these tips can save money for seniors, and they can also help lessen the financial and psychological burden that their children might feel.

Selecting a Computer for a Senior Citizen

By: Norman Fong

Selecting a Computer for a Senior Citizen

If you have a parent, older relative or older friend who has expressed the desire to own a computer, you may have volunteered to help them out without thinking – and right now you may be wondering how, exactly, to select a computer for someone who will not need the machine for video gaming, business purposes or fancy programs.

It’s true: Senior citizens probably don’t need a computer for the same reasons you need one. But they too deserve satisfaction with the purchase. If you’ve volunteered to help pick one out, there are a few guidelines that will ensure the new computer owner ends up happy – and appropriately educated – with the selection.

Before Buying a Machine

Purchasing a computer can be a daunting task for someone who’s never done it. Arm yourself with a few ideas before hitting the store.

Laptop versus Desktop

The first question to ask is whether the senior wants a laptop or a desktop. There are certainly pros and cons to both choices, but consider the following reasons that a laptop may be the better bet for an older person:

Laptops are portable and lightweight, which means the senior can travel with it easily.
Laptops require less wiring and parts – the monitor, keyboard and mouse are all included in one machine, which may appeal to someone older and intimidated by technology.
Laptops are often less expensive. 

- 10 Windows Tablets for Under $500 -

Mac versus Windows

If you’re a warrior of the old Mac versus PC argument – and you’re devoted to one answer – you may be tempted to convert a senior citizen to your own preference. But don’t be. Instead, share the following benefits of each computer type and let them decide.

Mac Pros

• It’s often easier to learn a Mac’s software; they are known to be more user-friendly. 
• Macs are durable and long-lasting. 
• Macs are less susceptible to viruses – which could be a plus if your senior is just learning to navigate the Web. 

PC Pros

• PCs are less expensive. 
• PCs are also less expensive when it comes to repair and purchasing software. 
• The PC world offers more software options and a wider range of peripherals, from printers to speakers to joysticks. 

Helpful Features

Make sure the computer you’re buying has the proper features to help seniors navigate easily and in comfort. Here are some to consider. Most computers come with these features built in, but checking them out and learning how to use them is important.

• Screen resolution and contrast: Depending on the computer owner’s preferences, most screens can be adjusted for size of text and contrast. Typically, you can use keyboard shortcuts or menu options to achieve the desired effect. 
• Touch screen: Many computers now offer a touch screen option, which a senior citizen may find more comfortable – especially those who suffer from arthritis or who have trouble moving around easily. 
• Sound: Obviously, you can turn up the volume on the machine to the new owner’s liking. But voiceover – when the computer “talks” to the owner – can also be a helpful tool. 
• Software: How do you determine what software packages to install for the new machine? First of all, find out what the owner has in mind. Quiz him or her about interests. In most cases, the built-in software in the computer will be sufficient, but there also are programs that “simplify” software for seniors, including Internet access. 

After Buying a Machine

We can’t stress this enough: If the new owner is not tech-savvy, set up the new machine to make it easy for the user to carry out basic functions.

Accounts and Passwords

Don’t let the new owner get confused by the bevy of usernames and passwords he or she will need in order to sign into various accounts such as email, video chat and social media. Keep some of these tips in mind: Simple is best. Don’t make usernames and passwords too complex. On the other hand, don’t get lazy about passwords – the name of a pet, grandchild or another point of reference is better than something easy to hack such as sequential numbers. Urge the new computer owner to write down usernames and passwords and keep this information in a safe place.

Protection

Inexperienced Internet users may stumble upon websites that will compromise the computer. That said, setting up a simple virus protection program is a good idea. It’s also important to teach the new computer owner to protect private information such as physical address and Social Security identification – especially if he or she will be using the Internet for medical or other personal matters.

Web Access

Don’t depend on accessing the neighbor’s Internet – such a plan compromises security, and it’s far from dependable. Instead, suggest that your senior citizen friend invest in cable Internet and use a direct ethernet cable connection, which is simpler than going wireless.

Remember, helping a senior citizen purchase and set up his or her first computer is easier than you might think. With a little patience and humor, they’ll be up and running in no time.

This article, Selecting a Computer for a Senior Citizen, is syndicated fromModernLifeBlogs and is posted here with permission.

5 Insurance Tips for People Over the Age of 50

If you've ever been in a hospital you’ll know how expensive healthcare is. Insurance is the only way the common man can afford healthcare. However in many cases insurance premiums can also be quite expensive, especially for senior citizens. It’s like being between a rock and a hard place. For a senior citizen being eligible for health insurance is a task in itself. On top of that the exorbitant premiums pretty much annihilate their chances of getting insurance. Here are a few insurance tips for senior citizens. 

Lead a Healthy Life

It’s bad enough being plagued by diseases in your twilight years, but to add to it yourself is madness. Senior citizens have to be in tip top shape to be eligible for healthcare. Insurance is a bit like loans. You can only get it if you can prove that you don’t need it. If you’re in peak physical condition the insurance company may be inclined to reduce your premiums. However, that’s not a certainty, but it is a possibility. And that’s pretty much all you get these days, so make use of it. 

Prepare For Your Retirement

It doesn’t hurt to plan ahead. In fact, it’s imperative to plan ahead. As you start approaching the age of retirement you should already have a plan in place. This plan will see you through the rest of your years. Making provisions for health insurance in this plan is very important. Once the money stops coming in you’ll be struggling to make insurance payments, which is why you should set some money aside just for that. Calculate how much your insurance will cost you after your retirement and set that money aside. In some cases health insurance can be more helpful than your kids, I’m just saying.

Streamline Your Policy

As you grow older your insurance premium becomes more expensive. Soon there’ll come a point where you won’t be able to afford it. That’s when you’ll have to start making some tough decisions. You’ll have to streamline your insurance policy to meet your financial status. That means losing some aspects of your coverage, such as disability and long-term care. It’s a sacrifice you’ll have to make eventually. You know your health and you know what you’re prone to, so make specific provisions accordingly. Your health insurance plan should be suited to your needs. At the same time it shouldn’t cripple you financially. 

Beware of Conmen

When you’re at the end of the road people will try to take advantage of you. Senior citizens suffering from life threatening diseases and who can’t afford treatment are susceptible to anything. Conmen are pretty aware of this situation. They roam hospital corridors looking for such individuals and promise them an insurance plan or health discount card that can potentially save their life. To add insult to injury these people wear breast cancer ribbons to seem more caring and friendly. Before you deal with such people always do a background check on the internet about their product and their company. 

Rely On the Government

When all else fails it’s time to rely on the government. Sometime they actually come through for you. Take COBRA for example. It’s a law that keeps you protected under your former employer’s insurance coverage for about 18 months, as long as you continue to make payments. There are other state aids available that can help you through unemployment. Research them to see if you’re eligible. However, keep looking for a way to get back up on your feet, because government help is not eternal. You can only take advantage of them for so long before they decide to let you go.

Just because you’re over a certain age doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the benefits of health insurance. If you play it smart you can remain protected under a decent coverage for the rest of your days. Keep these tips in mind and you won’t have to rely on your kids for help. You’ve taken care of yourself for this long, why shouldn’t you be able to continue to do it? The one thing I know about senior citizens is, that they’re proud. And as they say pride can only be surrendered, it can’t be taken away from you.

Author Bio:
This article is authored by Jenny Wadlow, a professional freelance blogger. She writes articles for Fundraising for a Cause, a website selling pink ribbon products. Her hobbies include gardening and home brewing.

Embracing the Golden Age with Grace

With each birthday that passes, you begin to notice how age has gradually snuck up on you, painting more lines of wisdom when you were not looking and adding little body aches that remind you of the spry youth you once were. The long distances you have walked before have now grown shorter because you tire more easily these days. But you shouldn’t worry too much about entering the golden age. Instead, you should be grateful that you have been able to live this long and can still continue to live and make a difference. If you’re still not convinced, maybe these perks will remind you that being a senior citizen isn’t so bad. 

Senior Discounts

When you’re a senior, you can get great discounts at malls. Some stores actually hold a discount day just for senior citizens. In some countries, people are issued a senior citizen card, which guarantees them a 20% off on goods and services purchased. It can be used in buying groceries or even food transactions at restaurants. Different countries offer various benefits so take advantage of the ones that are offered in your hometown. 

Pension

Sometimes you forget why you worked so long or so hard for. While it’s true that trying to provide for your family has always been your initial driving force, in the end when the children have all grown up and left the house, you’ll realize that part of that hard work was so you can have enough to support you when you finally decide to retire. Pension is great because it will allow you to fulfill your longtime dreams of travel. Have you ever noticed how most people in retirement are always traveling? It’s because they saved enough money through their pension, thus allowing them to travel as much as their heart desires. 

Cool Gadgets at Your Disposal

When you’re older, you can splurge on cool gadgets to make your life easier, like a no handles vacuum cleaner that won’t require you to bend down when cleaning. A nifty little machine like this is easy to operate and what’s more, it won’t strain your back like the regular vacuum does. I would also suggest getting an ipad so you can keep in touch with your children and grandchildren through skype or facetime. You can also use the ipad to store ebooks if you’re fond of reading. Though you are able to afford so many cool gadgets, don’t go overboard and buy everything you want. Keep on discerning between your wants and needs. Choose to invest in gadgets that are useful and make your life a whole lot easier. 

Time to Make a Difference

When you’re done raising your children, you’ll realize that you have a lot of free time on your hands even after going on travels. One of the things that you can do is to find ways on how you can make a difference in other people’s lives. Volunteer at charity events or organize productive activities for the youth. If you reach out to those who need help, you can enrich their lives and they too can enrich yours in return. 

About the Author
Based in San Diego California, Tiffany Matthews is a professional writer with over 5 years of writing experience. She also blogs about travel, fashion, and anything under the sun at wordbaristas.com, a group blog that she shares with her good friends. In her free time, she likes to travel, read books, and watch movies. You can find her on Twitter as @TiffyCat87.