AARP The Magazine - November 2011

AARP IN ACTION

TAX-AIDE VOLUNTEERS WAN TED

Help AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provide free income tax assistance to older moderate- and low-income taxpayers, February 1 through April 15 at community sites; training provided. Not a numbers person? Also needed: greeters and technical, communications, and administrative workers (aarp .org/taxvolunteer; 1-888-687-2277).

ASK LEE A CHAT WITH AARP’S PRESIDENT

POINT, CLICK, AND LISTEN

While you’re browsing AARP’s website, stop at the Music page and click on “Listen Now!” to find any of AARP Internet Radio’s 19 music channels: gospel, jazz, classic rock, and more. No registration, no log-in, and—best of all—no DJs and few ads ( aarp.org/entertainment/music/).

MONEY & MORE: WEBLE TTERS

Wondering what’s new in AARP travel? Want updates on everything from heart health to Social Security? Get the best of AARP’s online articles, member benefits, and advice in free e-mail webletters specializing in money, health, travel, or leisure ( aarp.org/intheknow).

PRESIDEN T W. Lee Hammond
PRESIDEN T-ELEC T Robert Romasco
BOARD CHAIR Phil Zarlengo
BOARD VICE-CHAIR Gail E. Aldrich
SECRE TARY/ TREASURER A. James Forbes Jr.
CLASS OF 2012 Leobardo Estrada,
William J. Hall, Mara Mayor, Maeona
Mendelson, Robert Romasco, George
Ro wan, Phil Zarlengo
CLASS OF 2014 Gail E. Aldrich, Allen
Douma, A. James Forbes Jr., Hubert H.
Humphrey III, Jacob Lozada, J. David
Nelson, Charles E. Reed
CLASS OF 2016 Jeannine English,
Catherine Georges, Barbara O’Connor,
John Penn, Diane Pratt, Carol Raphael,
Fernando Torres-Gil
AARP Board

Q: As health care costs skyrocket,
how can we cut our expenses by
preventing illness?
A: It’s true that pennies of prevention
can be worth dollars of cure. Screening
tests, like those for diabetes, colorectal
cancer, and high blood pressure; annual
flu shots; and counseling about smok-
ing, obesity, and alcohol misuse can
delay the onset of disease or catch it
in its earliest stages, when it’s easier—
and less expensive—to treat. But a
report from AARP and the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention shows
that many older people aren’t being
screened, vaccinated, or counseled.
For Americans 50 to 64, lack of health
insurance may be the greatest barrier
to service. Medicare recipients—the
majority of people 65 and up—can
get recommended preventive services
with no out-of-pocket costs. Certain
obstacles, however, such as a lack of
transportation, may make it difficult
for some people to receive care.
Access to preventive services is the
first step to smaller health care
expenditures—and better health.

can’t get payment for services— through the resident’s funds or through Medicaid—are turning to the resident’s children for restitution. Everyone with a parent in assisted living or a nursing home should understand the laws in the state their parent lives in; check out the info at aarp.org/filial. And if you find yourself at the wrong end of a suit, discuss your situation with an attorney immediately.

FROM LEFT: ILLUSTRATION BY NANA RAUSCH; MICHAEL LEWIS

Q: A nursing home recently
sued my friend for $10,000,
to pay for her father’s end-of-life
care. She had signed no papers and
had no say in his choices or expen-
ditures—is she responsible?
A: In 30 states “filial responsibility”
laws, while seldom enforced, say that
adult children must care for parents
who can’t afford care for themselves.
For most families, that’s a no-brainer;
the 42 million unpaid family caregivers
in the United States are proof. But
some long-term care facilities that

Q: I’ve considered a reverse mortgage if I need more money in retirement. Has the drop in housing prices closed that option? A: Reverse mortgages are still available—but generally at a higher price. The mortgage-market collapse in 2008–2009, which reduced the equity in many homes, also led to lower loan limits and more expensive mandatory mortgage insurance for this type of loan. These changes are in addition to the other substantial costs for a reverse mortgage, like the origination and servicing fees and interest. And just as with “forward” mortgages, borrowers must pay taxes and homeowners insurance or face foreclosure. AARP’s experts on reverse mortgages suggest that when you’re considering tapping your home equity, see if a less costly alternative to these complex loans is available. If a reverse mortgage still seems like the best idea, make sure you can answer yes to these questions: Do I fully understand how these loans work? Do I really need one? Can I afford one? Find more information and a reverse mortgage calculator at AARP.org/revmort. —W. Lee Hammond