It’s high time we returned to a more primitive, cheaper and safer method of swapping sensitive information: the Post-it Note.
Originally, I thought of reverting to the “double swear” method as in, “Double swear that you’ll never tell anyone I wanted the footballs underinflated” or “Double swear that you won’t reveal our cell phone eavesdropping methods to foreign heads of state,” but I quickly reneged. Haven’t we all been burned by a supposed “friend” who violated the double swear oath? My fourth grade math partner, if you’re reading this, rest assured I have not forgotten how you threw me under the bus. I trusted you, man.
Instead we continue believing, erroneously, that our extramarital affairs via websites like Ashley Madison are immune from hackers. The website says its members are anonymous, after all. We naively think pressing the “delete” key on our electronic devices will do just that – send all those incriminating texts, home videos, naked selfies and classified emails into a bottomless pit of nothingness where they will remain ignored until the end of time. Sort of like Adam Sandler’s last three movies.
We never bother to Google “Can you really delete a text message forever?” If we did, we’d discover a treasure trove of procedures for retrieving stuff we wish could vanish forever; some of those methods even include helpful YouTube videos to aid the technologically challenged.
This means those 10,000-plus text messages between Tom Brady and the New England Patriots equipment staff never really went away, even after Brady’s cellphone ended up in the shredder. But … is that REALLY where the phone went?
I have taken numerous PCs and laptops to recycling centers, believing that once I say goodbye to my Windows XP-powered computer, it will meet a horrible death of steel blades, industrial sledgehammers and other weapons one wouldn’t even find in a Quentin Tarantino film. But I never actually see the demolition taking place. For all I know, the recycling center employees could be related to the “professional” parking garage attendants who promised to take care of Cameron Frye’s father’s 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” If Tom Brady handed me his cell phone, I’d at the very least use every available method to get the private number of his supermodel wife. Only then would I send the phone to its demise.
This leads me back to my idea of using Post-it Notes to write down every piece of communication you don’t want to see regurgitated on social media or splashed on a website like Gawker.
Brady, next time you want a squishier football during a playoff game, simply peel off a note, grab a pen, write “remove half a pound” and walk it over to your equipment manager. He’ll take one look and know that you’re not referring to roast beef from the deli. Then he’ll tear the Post-it so vigorously that it could pass for confetti during your next Super Bowl victory parade (provided you are eligible to play in that game). Roger Goodell, good luck finding it.
Anthony Weiner, you might still have your congressional seat had you sketched your cloistered areas on Post-it Notes as opposed to pointing your cellphone camera south, taking a picture and attaching the result to what you thought was a private tweet. If a media representative found the Post-it and asked what was on it, you could have replied, “That’s a, uh, bullet train that may soon rumble through my district. I will work tirelessly to ensure those funds are available because transportation is important to especially my female constituents.”
So grab some Post-its, Hillary Clinton, Hulk Hogan, all of Edward Snowden’s superiors and anybody else whose supposedly private information is now public. They are easy to carry, easy to figure out and easy to destroy. Your secrets will remain safe forever.
I double swear.

(Greg Schwem is a corporate stand-up comedian and author of “Text Me If You’re Breathing: Observations, Frustrations and Life Lessons From a Low-Tech Dad,” available at http://bit.ly/gregschwem. Visit Greg on the Web at www.gregschwem.com.) (c) 2015 GREG SCHWEM. DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC

What was your first job? Rambling Oaks Assisted Living

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Nov 16, 2015

“I lived on a dairy farm and my first job was milking cows. I would get paid a quarter and I would go to a movie.” Julia Murray

“I lived in the country and my first job was a school teacher. The school was small and was all 12 grades.” Paula Grove

“I worked at a Ford garage and was a parts man.” Paul Bolles

“I was in 9th grade and worked at a drug store. I did everything that I needed to do and even worked behind the fountain.” Chester Spears

COSTS FOR ALZHEIMER’S CARE TO INCREASE

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Nov 16, 2015

The Alzheimer’s Association’s new report, The Impact of Alzheimer’s Disease on Medicaid Costs: A Growing Burden for States, released today, found that between 2015 and 2025, Medicaid costs for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias will increase in every state in the U.S. and the District of Columbia.
In Oklahoma, Medicaid spending on people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias will increase by more than 40 percent over the next 10 years. This year, spending will total $437 million, increasing to $613 million in 2025.
“With the quickly rising Medicaid costs for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, Oklahoma needs to continue to refine The State Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease in Oklahoma, enhance standards of quality care, as well as attack the disease through research,” said Mark Fried, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association Oklahoma Chapter.
Seniors with Alzheimer’s and other dementias rely on Medicaid, which is funded by state and federal governments, at a rate nearly three times greater than other seniors due to the long duration of the disease, the intense personal care needs and the high cost of long-term care services. According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, by the age of 80, 75 percent of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias will be admitted to a nursing home, compared with just four percent of the general population.
Alzheimer’s is a triple threat, with soaring prevalence, lack of treatment and enormous costs that no one can afford, but we are here to help. Beyond funding vital research, the Alzheimer’s Association offers free resources to guide the over 60,000 Oklahomans living with Alzheimer’s and their more than 220,000 unpaid family caregivers, including:
Alzheimer’s Association Helpline (1-800-272-3900): This toll-free 24/7 Helpline is the one of its kind; the Helpline is staffed by masters-level counselors and provides information and guidance in more than 170 languages and dialects.
Support Groups: Connect with others going through the same journey and get support through the different stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Education Programs: Attend caregiver education classes and workshops to learn about connecting with and caring for your loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.
To find a local list of education programs and support groups, visit alz.org/CRF
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.

The Social Security Dilemma: Draw Now Or Draw Later?

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Nov 16, 2015

by Reid Abedeen

The temptation is great.
Maybe too great for some.
The federal government allows retirees to start drawing Social Security as early as age 62, a feature that more than 40 percent of Americans take advantage of as they gladly draw from the system they spent a lifetime paying into.
But many of those people may be making a mistake, says Reid Abedeen, a partner at Safeguard Investment Advisory Group, LLC (www.safeguardinvestment.com).
“While you’re allowed to start drawing Social Security when you are 62, your monthly benefit will be reduced,” Abedeen says. “Although there might be personal reasons why someone needs to apply early, for most people it’s probably better to wait at least until their full retirement age.”
Full retirement age is between 66 and 67 for most people in the workforce right now. Wait until you are 70, and the amount of your monthly check goes up even more.
When it comes to Social Security, though, there’s a financial monkey wrench that can complicate sorting out your plan. Social Security rules can be complicated and even your spouse’s income and decisions can affect when the most opportune time is for you to draw benefits.
“You really are going to want to coordinate what you do with what your spouse does, to make sure you are getting the highest amount possible,” Abedeen says.
Here are a few points to remember if you’re considering claiming your Social Security at 62:
• Reduction of benefit. Depending when your full retirement age is, you would see about a 25 to 30 percent reduction in your benefit if you retire at 62. On the other hand, if you delay collecting past full retirement age, you can increase your benefit by 8 percent a year up until you are 70.
• Life expectancy. One reason many people opt to draw the money early is they fear they will die before they get a chance to receive anything at all from Social Security. After a lifetime of paying into the system, they won’t get a penny out of it. They don’t want to feel cheated out of what they have coming to them.
That’s certainly a concern, Abedeen says. But there’s an even greater concern than dying early, and that’s living too long. “Life expectancies are growing, but many people have not saved enough to see them through a retirement that could last two or three decades or longer,” he says. “If you live a long life, it could be crucial to you that the monthly Social Security payment be as large as possible.”
• Continuing to work. You could be in for a surprise if you plan to continue working after you begin drawing Social Security. If you haven’t waited until your full retirement age, there’s a limit on how much you can make. In 2015, that limit is $15,720, according to the Social Security Administration. If you go over that, you would be deducted $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn over the limits. (That changes in the year you reach full retirement age, and beginning with the month you are at full retirement age there is no limit on your earnings.)
“A lot of factors come into play when you’re trying to decide when to begin drawing Social Security,” Abedeen says. “That’s especially true if you have a spouse and need to factor them into the equation. It’s worthwhile to seek professional advice so you can get the most favorable result.”
Reid Abedeen is a partner at Safeguard Investment Advisory Group, LLC. As an investment advisor, Abedeen has helped retirees for nearly two decades with issues such as insurance, long-term care planning, financial services, asset protection and many other areas. He holds California Life-Only and Accident and Health licenses (#0C78700), and holds a Series 65 license, and is registered through the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Abedeen is a family man who owes much of his fulfillment in life to his wife, Smyrna, and his three children, Yusef, Leena and Adam.

Seniors have financial questions to answer

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Nov 16, 2015

Robin Byfordedited LARGE — Robin Byford, CPA, 56, helps seniors manage their finances before and during retirement.

by Mike Lee
Staff Writer

At 56, Robin L. Byford, CPA, CFP, is senior vice president – wealth management advisor at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. in Oklahoma City.
She works with clients of all ages but seniors come to her with a variety of questions. She counsels seniors on making their resources last as long as possible and helps them decide what’s best for them.
A CPA for 34 years, Byford says her No. 1 piece of advice she would give to seniors is to be in the house they want and to have it paid off or almost paid off before going into retirement.
“What we have found just by observation in our practice is that you need to … start landing the plane at age 60,” Byford said. “Because every day after that is almost a gift.”
Byford said by this time the odds of either you or your spouse having a health event are drastically increasing. The odds increase exponentially if you are fortunate enough to have a living parent.
“All of those things will keep you from working full-time,” Byford said.”
About 90 percent of seniors plan to continue living in their own homes for the next five to 10 years, according to an AARP survey. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define “aging in place” as being able to live in one’s home and community safely, independently and comfortably – regardless of age, income or ability level.
The Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants recommends addressing four questions to make independent living a more workable reality.
Question No. 1: What really matters to you?
Don’t get hung up on the term “aging in place.” If you want to continue enjoying the people and activities you love, it may not be necessary to remain in the same residence. As a first step in your planning, list what’s important to you in your current lifestyle and the things you wouldn’t mind changing. While selling the family home can be an emotional decision, it may be the best choice if a smaller place is easier to maintain, closer to family and a money saver that could allow you to travel.
Question No. 2: Will your current home accommodate your needs?
It’s important to determine if your current home will still be a good fit if you have problems with mobility or health as you get older. Features that make homes more comfortable for older people include bedrooms and bathrooms that are located on the entry level; few, if any, steps in the doorways or throughout the home; and entryways that are wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs. Conduct an informal assessment of your home to decide if it’s accessible now or if some remodeling projects could be in order.
Question No. 3: What would renovation cost?
If you don’t think your home will remain easily accessible as you age, consider potential renovation expenses. A MetLife study cited renovation costs at $800 to $1,200 for widening a doorway; roughly $500 for the installation of two bathroom grab bars; and $3,500 to $35,000 for a variety of bathroom improvements – including better lighting and handicap accessible showers, tub seats and sinks. If remodeling seems too costly or complicated, you can downsize homes or change to a location that’s easier to navigate and still remain independent. There may even be other benefits to moving into a different home or neighborhood. For example, a new place in a populous area may give you easier access to social activities.
Question No. 4: Do I have a good support system?
Either now or later, you may need to rely on others to care for you or help with everyday tasks. It will be easier to remain relatively independent if you live near family or friends, home health care providers, doctors and medical facilities. Your planning should include a local support system that meets your changing needs. As part of this effort, investigate local community and government resources, in addition to geriatric care managers. For more eldercare tips and locations, visit www.eldercare.gov and read “Your 1st Step to Finding Resources for Older Adults.”