The holidays are fast approaching! And with the sumptuous meals and gift exchanging that we are all excited for comes the reality that we all must bid adieu to 2016 and prepare to welcome the upcoming one. However, ALTCP.org is not ready to close the chapter yet! From successfully aiding individuals in their retirement goals and long-term care plans to working with other industry experts in spreading awareness on successful aging, we are grateful for a fruitful year.
To spread the good vibes and holiday cheer, we have spoken with the industry experts and professionals, and asked them to share this year’s highlights. Below is the question we asked everyone:
Now that 2016 is about to come to a close, what events that transpired during the year struck you the most as an expert in addressing aging issues?
Carol Marak
Website: SeniorCare.com
2016 was eventful for those of us aging alone. The awareness launched by Dr. Maria Carney’s research gains momentum and many aging professionals jump on board creating programs and virtual networks to alleviate isolation and loneliness.
Earlier this year, the Facebook Elder Orphan Group launched and now helps guide over 4,000 members facing grave concerns such as minimal options for transportation, affordable housing, work, senior care, social connections, and health care.Click To Tweet One of my 2017 goals is to build upon the energy and initiate ideas and programs that enhance healthier and connected lifestyles for adults aging alone.
Anthony Cirillo
Website: TheAgingExperience.com
Hands down the results of the election will impact aging issues and possibly take attention away from them. Scenarios suggest that there would be more uninsured if the Affordable Care Act is overturned. And with premiums rising already because the risk pool is not spread out, this will be exacerbated if the mandate to buy insurance is repealed.Click To Tweet All this does is continue to focus issues on hospital health care. Entitlement programs are up in the air too and could impact boomers significantly. There was some hope that paid family leave would become reality and that possibility is less likely with the new administration. There has been virtually no talk on containing costs, paying for long-term care or addressing caregiver issues.
Kathy Birkett
Website: SeniorCareCorner.com
Without a doubt, the most important event this year that could eventually result in an impact to aging seniors and their caregivers was the election of Donald Trump as president.
The uncertainty at this time of how his policies will impact Social Security benefits, Medicare insurance, caregiver support bills that were coming along to give tax credits for caring, and the overall change in the economy are concerns for all of us as caregivers and aging citizens.Click To Tweet
Only time will tell how we will be affected.
This uncertainty should be leading us all to take steps to improve our own financial plan so that we can care for our needs as we age because we may not be able to depend on government support.
Michelle Seitzer
Website: MichelleSeitzer.com
One of the most disturbing stories to circulate the web was this NPR piece on elder exploitation through social media: Social Media Abuse of Nursing Home Residents Often Goes Unchecked.Click To Tweet It really raised a number of essential questions and conversations regarding the regulation of caregivers’ use of social media (both in public community/private home settings) in terms of medical privacy and human dignity. It also brought to light this new way of committing elder abuse.
Connie Chow
Website: DailyCaring.com
One of the most significant changes this year is the privatization of PACE programs.Click To Tweet Traditionally, only non-profits have been allowed to operate these Medicare programs that help keep seniors out of nursing homes. Now, the program has been opened to for-profit companies, as well. This change could speed the expansion of these essential services and improve the quality of life for even more older adults.
David Bernard
Website: LoveBeingRetired.com
The most significant event this year was my wife joining me in full-time retirement. Having navigated those unfamiliar and sometimes intimidating first months of retirement, I shared the importance of patience.Click To Tweet Allow yourself time to transition. Don’t apply unnecessary pressure to always be productive – it’s okay to do nothing. Take it slow, find your way at a pace that suits you, try different things and enjoy the journey. It took a while, but she is definitely getting the hang of things!
Rena McDaniel
Website: TheDiaryofanAlzheimersCaregiver.com
I think that the part of 2016 that struck me the most was when I had to go in to the hospital to have a hysterectomy and had to make arrangements for my mother, as well.Click To Tweet Things are nowhere near as easy as they used to be.
Virginia Lazenby
Website: VirginiaValuesYou.com
I understand you are inquiring about significant events within the senior industry. I would like to call to your attention the Seniors Real Estate Institute annual Legacy Conference held in October in Grapevine, TX.
The Legacy Conference is a powerful two days for those serving seniors with a real estate perspective. This is an amazing opportunity to learn from Nikki Buckelew, the leading expert in the field, and engage with realtors from across the country who are passionate about serving seniors. Click To Tweet This was the second year of the Legacy. I have attended both years. Each year I come away with new information about serving seniors and truly inspired to enhance the quality of service I provide.
Caryn Isaacs
Website: GetHealthHelp.com
2016 saw a number of my clients losing their Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid benefits. New regulations required that people fill out lengthy questionnaires and provide documentation that they could not understand or did not have.Click To Tweet Most of these people do not have lawyers or family to follow up for them, and they were just dropped from the roles. This was the year of recognizing the needs of the Elder Orphan. Hopefully, 2017 will be the year we do something about it.
Lisa Treadwell
Website: IndyreExperts.com
Hands down, the most significant event in senior real estate, in 2016 was the Legacy Conference. It was clear from this event the presenters, keynote speaker, and attendees have a passion for helping seniors and adult children navigate through the downsizing process. Click To Tweet From finding safe housing, dealing with a house full of possessions, and consulting seniors and their family members, to just simply listening with compassion, the Legacy Conference allows attendees to lean into their passion for helping aging clients. Attendees left feeling energized and with action items they could take back to their markets and implement immediately. Chris and Nikki Buckelew have found their gift for coaching, training, and consulting and are helping others around the country do it at a high level, too!
Violet Swenson
Website: LTCGA.com
We at LTC Global Agency were proud to feature several long-term care agent success stories this year. Through these stories, we were able to understand how essential long-term care coverage is for both an agent and the policyholder.Click To Tweet
Medalogix
Website: Medalogix.com
Home health value-based purchasing has captured my attention. Patrick Conway stated at VNAA’s policy conference that the program hit its 2016 year-end goals in January 2016–that shows their commitment and urgency to the program.
VBP gives home health providers specific measures that determine patient success. As a home health analytics company leader, this allows us to create specific and targeted analytical models that will help providers predict their patients' likelihoods of achieving those outcomes and then act to improve patient outcomes. We know analytics is the key in a VBP landscape.Click To Tweet
Leandro Mueller
Website: FreeMedSuppQuotes.com
FreeMedSuppQuotes had a blast this year. We were able to launch our website, to cater to the growing number of Medigap applicants. We are happy to provide a retirement solution for seniors this year!Click To Tweet
Samantha Stein
Website: ALTCP.org
We’ve had an exciting year with ALTCP.org!
We recently launched the revamped website which now features new tools and updates for our growing pool of clients. We’ve also been working tirelessly toward a better future for the older generations, and we’re happy to say that it has been an inspiring time for everyone in the team. Click To TweetWe’ve also been working on new, exciting projects that I can’t talk about yet. You’ll have to wait and see!
The holidays bring an atmosphere of joy and excitement in everyone. Yes, we have all had our ups and downs this year—some might even say that this has been the most challenging year—but let us all make an effort to look back with positivity. Let us all concentrate on the good, see how far we have all come, and how much we have in store next year. Let us all continue to work toward ensuring every person’s golden years shines bright!
What are your 2016 highlights and New Year’s resolutions? We’d love to hear about your year and your plans for the next year, so don’t forget to let us know in the comments section. Enjoy a safe and fun-filled Christmas, everyone!