The IRS restricts specific investment options for an IRA.
These restrictions do not allow investment in collectibles, antiques, and other assets. Here is a list: If an IRA invests in collectibles, the amount invested is considered distributed in the year invested. The account owner may have to pay a 10% additional tax on early distributions.
Learn what a prohibited investment in an IRA is important in retirement planning. (pxhere.com)
Here are some examples of prohibited assets held in an IRA: • Artwork • Rugs and other home furnishings • Antiques • Precious metals, some exceptions for gold bullion • Gems, diamonds, other precious stones • Stamps and coins as collections • Alcoholic beverages • Certain other tangible personal property based on the exact nature of the asset • A partnership or company that owns sells or buys these items could be a named asset within an IRA. • Insurance products are also not allowed except for annuities.
Assets that are allowed to be held in an IRA include: • Stocks • Bonds • Mutual funds • Real Estate Investment Trusts • Brokerage accounts • Banks products such as CDs and savings account • Insurance company annuities
If your IRA is engaged in any prohibitive practice, you may be exposed to being taxed as a distribution and also be liable for a 10% penalty.
Remember that an IRA is just a tax-deferred receptacle for invested assets. Almost any category of investment can be placed there, and different IRA custodians make their money by selling and managing these assets. If you open one at a bank, you’ll be able to invest in CDs or savings accounts. If you open it at an insurance company annuity could be a viable option. If you select to open an IRA at a brokerage and mutual fund company, you’ll be able to invest in mutual funds, stocks, bonds as well as other options.
Always make sure your IRA matches up with your goals, and if you do not fully understand the investment options available to you, get a second opinion. Owning an IRA can be a massive advantage to you in later years, make certain your IRA is designed for your specific period and goals.
Dave Stanley is the host of Safe Money Radio WOOD1300 AM, 106.9 FM and a Financial Advisor and Writer at Integrity Financial Service, LLC, Grandville, MI 49418, Telephone 616-719-1979 or Register for Dave’s FREE Newsletter at 888-998-3463 or click this link: Dave Stanley Newsletter – Annuity.comDave is a member of Syndicated Columnists, a national organization committed to a fully transparent approach to money management
First and foremost, I want to let you know that I would never try to sell you on anything. I have learned in my 40 years of experience that if I try to talk you into something, anybody can come right along and talk you out of it so, that is not my objective. However, with math, science, and reason, I would like to reaffirm some very important facts and figures about your retirement planning:
Math and science are key in helping with retirement planning. (pxhere.com)
1. We all know the market is cyclical, it goes up, and it goes down. We have had the longest upmarket, “Bull Market,” in the history of the stock market; over the last nine years. Thus, Reason alone, tells us that we are due for a market correction, “Bear Market.” Math and science prove that we are due for a soon coming market correction. Just to name a few of the catalysts of a possible Bear Market, but not limited to, are these indicators:
• The most significant “Buyback” in the history of the market took place in the last quarter of 2018. A “buyback” is essentially corporations run out of ideas to increase stock market shares and dividends of their company. They are buying back their stock held in foreign countries and inflating their profits. As of October of 2018, there were over $800 billion in stock buybacks, a stock market record. Corporations used funds from $2.6 trillion dollars sitting overseas.
• The tariffs imposed on foreign countries in June 2018.
• The housing market, as interest rates increase, so will adjustable rate mortgages increase. A Zerohedge chart reflects that home-builder stocks are already dropping as lumber prices forecast a drop in the housing market.
• Interest rates tend to go up when the federal reserve unwinds its balance sheet and adds to the supply of Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities on the market. When interest rates go higher, stock valuations need to go down with a lower P/E ratio. (Profit /Expense ratio)
• Federal Reserve policy. A JP Morgan study reflects that the Federal Reserve is decreasing its balance sheet of treasuries and mortgage-backed securities by $50 billion a month, which is known as Quantitative Tightening, which is projected to continue to at least the end of 2020.
• Valuations. The United States Stock Market is the most expensive in the world at this moment. The Buffett indicator is flashing red with a total market capitalization vs. GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of 150%. Studies reflect that any ratio above 115% is an indicator that the market is significantly overvalued.
2. Historically the S&P time-line for recuperating from market corrections is between 13 to 22 years. Studies reflect that 64% of the time, the S&P is either losing ground or making up losses. Let me ask the question, “Going into retirement, do you want the 64% chance of a market correction and taking 13 to 22 years to recuperate the retirement savings you’ve accumulated over your lifetime?”
Mortality tables reflect that one retiring at age 65 will live 20 to 25 years.
3. Mathematically, it’s a proven fact that if a retiree experiences double-dipping (losing value in their account and drawing income from their account simultaneously) at the beginning of their retirement, they will outlive their retirement funds before they outlive their retirement life. This is known as the “Sequence of Returns.” Also, add the devastating fact of fees, the account now has triple dipping!
4. Psychological studies prove that retirees with a guaranteed, known, and predictable source of income live a much happier, stress-free, and worry-free retirement life.
5. The Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA) relieves merely the risks of outliving one’s money and the burden of trying to manage and chase market returns and trying to avoid market losses of managing a retiree’s portfolio. It gives a guaranteed, predictable income for life as well as a projected income, based upon only upside market growth. It automatically tracks this upside market growth.
I trust that the above information on math, science, facts, and figures will assist in journeying into a peaceful, stress-free, worry-free retirement.
Dave Stanley is the host of Safe Money Radio WOOD1300 AM, 106.9 FM and a Financial Advisor and Writer at Integrity Financial Service, LLC, Grandville, MI 49418, Telephone 616-719-1979 or Register for Dave’s FREE Newsletter at 888-998-3463 or click this link: Dave Stanley Newsletter – Annuity.comDave is a member of Syndicated Columnists, a national organization committed to a fully transparent approach to money management.
Despite frequent doctor, ER and hospital visits for those with end-stage heart disease, many eligible patients don’t receive palliative or hospice care to improve their quality of life – but Emmanuel Hospice wants to change that.
With care guidelines developed by the American Heart Association, Emmanuel Hospice professionals are helping patients living with end-stage heart disease achieve better quality of life and control over their care. (Supplied/Adobe Stock)
Hospice professionals like Melissa Schmidt are working to help more patients with advanced congestive heart failure access the enhanced care they deserve.
“Even though heart disease is the nation’s top cause of death, hundreds of thousands of patients with heart failure die alone in hospitals, never utilizing end-of-life care and support,” says Schmidt, who serves as Emmanuel Hospice’s director of clinical services. “Hospice care can help manage or even prevent symptoms associated with cardiovascular disease and keep patients out of the hospital.
“This not only puts patients and families in better control over their care, it also saves money and reduces the stress of repeated hospitalizations.”
At Emmanuel, care is provided to patients wherever they call home. With the nonprofit’s Heart & Soul Advanced Cardiac Care Program, patients have access to a robust care team – nurses, physicians, spiritual caregivers and complementary therapists, all of whom are specially trained in heart failure and in collaborating with outside care providers.
Made possible through the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation, or NPHI, Heart & Soul relies on care guidelines developed by the American Heart Association for individuals living with end-stage heart disease.
“Our advanced cardiac care program enables patients to be cared for in a way that works alongside their diagnosis,” Schmidt explains. “We’re able to look at innovative ways to care for patients in collaboration with their cardiologists or other physicians to support the whole person – mind, body and soul.”
Among the unique ways Emmanuel Hospice can support people living with advanced cardiac disease are its complementary services, which can be used alongside pharmaceutical approaches or as alternatives for holistic end-of-life care. In particular, music and massage therapy have proven to be successful in the management of symptoms for Heart & Soul patients.
For example, Emmanuel Hospice’s music therapists aid in anxiety relief for patients living with heart disease through music-assisted relaxation to influence heart rate, enhance breathing and support management of stress.
The use of massage therapy can help reduce painful swelling of feet, ankles and legs that comes with end-stage heart disease. For one of Schmidt’s patients, this service helped avoid an increase in medication, enabling him to remain comfortably at home until his death.
The additional support and education hospice can provide is ideal for patients who wish to avoid repeated trips to the emergency room.According to NPHI, advanced cardiac care programs like Emmanuel’s have already helped lower hospitalization rates in the last year by 23% for patients during their last 30 days of life. Patients who are a part of these programs visit the ER nearly half as much as those not receiving hospice care.
“The decrease in emergency rates is remarkable because patients with heart failure are known to need frequent visits to the doctor’s office, emergency room and hospital due to breathing difficulties, fatigue and other worsening symptoms,” Schmidt says. “Reducinginpatient and emergency services reduces stress, which can improve both mental and physical health outcomes.”
Avoiding trips to the ER or hospital also helps save patients money. The average cost of care in NPHI advanced cardiac care programs is 20-35% lower for patients than those who aren’t in hospice care.
While this is promising data, Schmidt says there’s more work to be done in overcoming myths about hospice care and encouraging families and caregivers to reach out sooner to seek this invaluable service.
“Many people think that hospice is just for your last couple of days or weeks or that calling hospice means giving up,” she says. “Hospice is holistic care and support for people who have been given a physician prognosis of six months or less to live and want to maximize that time.
“We want to help these individuals and families know it is absolutely OK to utilize hospice to supplement other medical care that’s already being provided. Our entire team is trained and ready to walk alongside you with individualized care for your end-of-life journey.”
Make sure to check in with your older adult regulars to make sure their needs are being meet. (pxhere.com)
June is World Elder Abuse Awareness month! This month works not only to educate people on the topic of elder abuse, but also to increase reporting numbers as elder abuse is under-reported and start discussions on how to recognize and prevent this abuse. The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations (UN) launched the first World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15, 2006 in an effort to unite communities around the world in raising awareness about elder abuse.
Elder abuse is widespread. Every year an estimated five million, or one in 10 older Americans are victims of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation. And that’s only part of the picture: Experts believe that elder abuse is significantly under-reported, in part because so many of our communities lack the social supports that would make it easier for those who experience abuse to report it. This is where you can help by knowing the warning signs and reporting abuse when you suspect it. When we come together, we can prevent elder abuse from happening.
Some Warning Signs of Abuse
Elder abuse includes financial abuse/scams, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. Kent County Elder Abuse Coalition Coordinator Cassie Caple, who is also the contract administrator with the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan, explained a few of these warning signs.
“Whether you are a professional with an older adult client, or a family member checking in on a loved one, a few physical things you can look out for include unexplained bruises, reports of recent falls, and sudden weight loss,” Caple said. “Or if you are having a conversation and they mention something along the lines of unpaid bills, feeling lonely, or perhaps not taking their medication, these can be signs of abuse as well. So, it is really good to check in, ask what they might need, and have that heightened awareness.”
Taking the time to intentionally check in with the older adults in your life is a great first step. It is recommended that you have this conversation with the older adult alone so they can feel safe in sharing any concerns.
Reporting Abuse
Once you are educated on what to look out for, and feel that abuse may be occurring, it is time to take action. If you have concern that an older adult in your life is not in a safe and healthy living situation, you can report this to reputable agencies. Below are a few reliable places to start:
Adult Protective Services investigators protect vulnerable adults and staff will investigate allegations within 24 hours after the report is received. APS has a 24/7 Hotline: 855-444-3911 where anyone is able to make a report.
Long Term Care Ombudsman advocate for residents in long term care facilities: 1-866-485-9393 or visit www.mltcop.org
Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Complaint Hotline takes complaints against various state licensed and federally certified health facilities, agencies, and programs: 800-882-6006 or visits www.Michigan.gov/lara
If you’d like further resources on elder abuse, the Kent County Elder Abuse Coalition at www.protectkentseniors.org specializes in compiling up-to-date information on scams, advocating for seniors, and remaining dedicated to the elimination of elder abuse in Kent County and the surrounding areas. The Michigan Elder Abuse Task Force through the state of Michigan at www.michigan.gov also shares a number of resources. And lastly, the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan can connect you with community resources at (616) 456-5664.
Heritage Hill Garden Tour will feature 10 private gardens and two organization gardens in this year’s event. (Supplied)
Ten private gardens and two organizational gardens will be part of the 2022 Heritage Hill Garden Tour, which is set for Saturday, June 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Each garden is a unique reflection of the creative, nature-loving gardeners who tend them. From showy displays in front gardens bursting with color to hidden gems waiting behind a home to warmly welcome guests, the possibilities of what a garden can be will inspire.
Some of the gardens included on this self-guided tour are:
President Gerald Ford’s boyhood back yard now filled with statuary and rare plantings.
Wonderland over 40 years in the making that surrounds an enchanting home.
A serene and elegant backyard setting that includes a complete outdoor kitchen.
A stately brick home perfectly surrounded by beautiful plantings.
A small but artfully designed garden that makes wise use of every space.
A front yard garden that catches the eye of everyone who passes by.
Free-flowing flower garden on Prospect Ave. that wears new colors for every season.
Formal fountains galore surrounding a home on College.
Peaceful natural water feature that accents a shade garden.
A sweet little garden on Paris Ave.
Vibrant annuals and perennials at the Voigt House tended by volunteers.
Formal gardens at the Meyer May House that are reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright’s organic architecture.
Individual ticketsare $12 in advance, $15 on the day of the tour. Group tickets may be purchased in advance for $8 each for 20 or more tickets, $5 each for 50 or more tickets. Group pricing is not available on the day of the tour.
Tickets are available for pre-sale through midnight on June 17 via our website, www.heritagehillweb.org or contact the office during operating hours at 616-459-8950.
Tickets can be purchased at the ticket booth at the Child Discovery Center, 409 Lafayette Ave. SE. on the day of tour. Pre-sold tickets may be picked up at will call on the day of the tour.
The tour occurs rain or shine. Refunds are not available. Masks are welcomed for the safety of garden hosts and visitors.
Parking will be available at:
Child Discovery Center at 409 Lafayette Ave. SE
Elders Helpers at500 Cherry St. S.E.
On-street parking is often available. Please adhere to posted parking restrictions.
A few years after Senior Sing A-Long started its life enrichment music programs for seniors, they began providing music therapy by licensed music therapists as well. (Courtesy)
Like many organizations, Senior Sing A-Long took a hit in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.
With senior living communities on lockdown, the Wyoming nonprofit couldn’t schedule the life enrichment music programs the organization has been providing in West Michigan since 2004. The programs, offered for free or at a greatly reduced cost, use live performances to revitalize the minds and spirits of people living in long-term care communities.
The pandemic also made it hard to hold the types of in-person fundraisers that help pay for Senior Sing A-Long’s services, according to Development Director Sarah Dwortz.
But although they have had to reshuffle their priorities at times over the past two years, Senior Sing A-Long is still going strong. They recently received a $6,000 grant from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, which helped to fill a funding gap, Dwortz said.
“We work with about 70 musicians on our list, and communities have their favorites – they can pick from the list,” Dwortz said. “We can offer them at no cost or much below market cost thanks to funding like this.”
Senior Sing A-Long receives grants from many foundations, including the Wyoming Community Foundation, Keller Foundation and West Michigan Alliance for Veterans, as well as corporate sponsorships and private donations.
The organization was founded in 2004 by Ken and Hattie Van Haaften, and is now run by their daughter, Jill Dover. The Van Haaftens started the program after realizing that music programs were one of the only things that could cheer up Ken’s mother, Katherine, when she was living in a nursing home. After a visit from a musician who played songs Katherine remembered from her youth, she would brighten up and talk about her life and memories.
The Senior Sing A-Long program has about 70 musicians working with several communities. (Courtesy)
“It started out by Ken going to Marge’s and finding musicians who might help him out,” said Dwortz, of Ken’s visits to the popular Wyoming doughnut shop (Marge’s Donut Den) that hosts live music. “One thing led to another. Now there’s a wide array of musicians, and the volume has been much greater than Jill and her dad ever anticipated.”
A few years after Senior Sing A-Long started its life enrichment music programs for seniors, they began providing music therapy by licensed music therapists as well. The music therapy program consists of small groups of seniors creating music by playing instruments, and serves as a way to accomplish therapeutic goals.
“Right now we’re working with approximately 60 communities – some just for music therapy, some for life enrichment, and some for both,” Dwortz said.
If funding weren’t an issue, Senior Sing A-Long would love to serve more communities at no cost, Dwortz said. And they would love to add another music therapist to its staff.
“We always want to continue to provide service to communities that otherwise wouldn’t have it due to the budget they have available,” she said. “We believe it’s necessary. It’s basic quality of life. I see it bringing a lot of joy.”
Donations are always welcome – and so are musicians willing to play for the seniors in the communities.
“We are always happy to hear from people if they have a musical talent. We’re always looking for more musicians,” Dwortz said. “For a lot of them, it’s nice to make a little money during the day, and they’re pretty philanthropic at the same time. They’re giving every day they do it. People love them. I think they get something out of it.”
More information about Senior Sing A-Long is available on their website at seniorsingalong.org.
The USS Indianapolis sank on July 30, 1945 after being struck by two Japanese torpedoes. One of the sailors, Seaman 2nd Class George David Payne, was from Grand Rapids.
The Navy has officially changed the status of 13 sailors lost when the USS Indianapolis (CA 35) was sunk in 1945 from “unaccounted for” to “buried at sea,” Navy Casualty announced on May 27.
The change in status is the result of extensive research between Naval History and Heritage Command, Navy Casualty Office, the USS Indianapolis Survivors Association, the USS Indianapolis Legacy Organization, and the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation.
The announcement helps bring closure to the families of these sailors who lost their lives at the end of a secret mission which helped end World War II.
The USS Indianapolis sank on July 30, 1945, after being struck by two Japanese torpedoes.
The sailors whose status changed are:
Seaman 1st Class George Stanley Abbott – Bedford, Kentucky
Seaman 2nd Class Eugene Clifford Batson – Kansas City, Kansas
Gunner’s Mate 1st Class William Alexander Haynes – Homedale, Idaho
Seaman 2nd Class Albert Raymond Kelly – Cleveland, Ohio
Seaman 1st Class Albert Davis Lundgren – Washington, D.C.
Fireman 1st Class Ollie McHone – Mars Hill, Arkansas
Seaman 2nd Class George David Payne – Grand Rapids, Michigan
Storekeeper 3rd Class Alvin Wilder Rahn – Hamlet, North Carolina
Ship’s Cook 3rd Class Jose Antonio Saenz – Edinburg, Texas
Coxswain Charles Byrd Sparks – Birmingham, Alabama
Radioman 2nd Class Joseph Mason Strain – Creston, Iowa
SSML3 Angelo Anthony Sudano – Niles, Ohio
Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Floyd Ralph Wolfe – Turner, Oregon
Approximately 300 of the ship’s 1,195 Sailors went down with the ship, and some 900 men were set adrift. Only 316 survived. Due to administrative errors, many Sailors who were recovered from the ocean and buried at sea from responding vessels were misclassified as “missing in action “or “unaccounted for.”
According to Rick Stone, who previously served at NHHC, he initiated the USS Indianapolis Burial at Sea Project to determine if any Indianapolis casualties met this criteria. Following his retirement from government service, he established the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation to continue the project and located documentation proving the 13 Sailors were misclassified.
According to the foundation’s USS Indianapolis Burial at Sea Project web page, “recovering a lost sailor, giving their loved ones and family closure, is the greatest gift we can imagine and the greatest way to celebrate and thank the sailors who lost their lives aboard the USS Indianapolis.
“One of my favorite quotes is ‘Poor is the nation that has no heroes but shameful is the nation who, having heroes, forgets them,’” Stone said. “Our foundation will never forget the heroes of the USS Indianapolis and are proud of our role in helping 13 families learn that the Navy went to great lengths to honor them soon after their deaths.”
Capt. Robert McMahon, director of the Navy Casualty Office, said bringing closure to families of those lost at sea is a “solemn duty and obligation” he takes to heart.
“Nothing is more important to me than giving families that knowledge when the unthinkable happens,” he said. “No amount of time lessens the loss, however, if we can bring some certainty to loved ones, even seven decades later, we are keeping faith with those we lost.”
One of those family members, William Baxter, nephew of Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Wolfe, was notified April 26 of the change in status. Sailors from Naval Medical Readiness and Training Command Beaufort, South Carolina, arrived at his door with a certificate and flag to recognize Wolfe’s sacrifice.
Baxter, an Okatie, South Carolina, native, said while he did not know his uncle, “it’s nice to finally have some closure to what actually happened to [him]. Thank you all for going above and beyond for me and my family. I wasn’t expecting all of this, but thank you.”
Change of Topic: Tune in on Memorial Day to our special annual program involving the USS Silversides ceremony titled, “The Lost Boat Ceremony at the USS Silversides in Muskegon.”
The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan (AAAWM) is an essential senior resource for a nine-county region that includes Allegan, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, and Osceola counties. We work to connect seniors, family caregivers, and adults with disabilities to resources that help them to live independently. This includes programs for long term care services and supports to help make this independence possible.
MI Choice Medicaid Waiver is one of these programs. It provides person-centered care that empowers individuals to age-in-place in their own home rather than in a facility. Ongoing services through the program include personal care, housekeeping, meals, respite, and transportation. In an initial assessment, a supports coordinator is able to truly get to know an individual, coordinate their services, and connect them to partner agencies and community resources. Supports coordinators do more than oversee an individual’s care, they become their advocate, making sure their needs are met. Sometimes, just having someone in their corner cheering them on can be a driving force for a person’s confidence in maintaining their independence at home.
Recently, the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan received a NCQA Accreditation of Case Management for Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) for the MI Choice Medicaid Waiver program. This three-year accreditation is from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), a nonprofit organization that issues accreditation, certifications, and recognition programs based upon measurement, transparency, and accountability to highlight top performers and drive improvement. Earning NCQA’s Accreditation of Case Management for LTSS demonstrates that an organization is dedicated to coordinating the delivery of care in a person-centered and integrated manner to help individuals function optimally in their preferred setting.
When asked about this accreditation for the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan, AAAWM Care Management Services Director Suzanne Filby-Clark explained, “We’re proud of our agency and staff as the preparation for this accreditation lasted approximately 12 months. The agency performed gap analysis to determine tasks, work groups were formed to seek clinical input, policies and procedures were written to align with the requirements, and all of the necessary documentation was notated and organized for submission. This NCQA accreditation shows our partners, participants, and community members prioritize and provide high quality care and services.”
The NCQA accreditation reinforces the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan’s commitment to improve the health outcomes of our patient population and ensure delivery of person-centered care. To learn more about the MI Choice Medicaid Waiver program and other resources for aging in place, reach out to the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan’s Information and Assistance team at (616) 456-5664.
About the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan
Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan helps older adults and individuals with disabilities remain independent and provides support and education to caregivers in Allegan, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, and Osceola counties. You can visit www.aaawm.org to learn about our programs and services and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AreaAgencyonAging
About NCQA
NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQA’s website (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make more-informed health care choices. NCQA can be found online at ncqa.org, on Twitter @ncqa, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NCQA.org and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/ncqa.
Gold Star father, John Burri, of Wyoming, poses in front of the Blue Star and Gold Star memorials. (WKTV/Aaron Robins)
More than 100 people gathered at the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids this past Saturday for the Dedication Ceremony of Blue Star and Gold Star Memorial Markers to honor servicemen and women along with families that have lost loved ones who served.
In addition to hosting the event, the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids and the Kent Garden Club worked together on the project. U.S. Army and Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids Member Council President Corporal Robert Troost and former Kent Garden Club President Kathy Wolverton played vital roles in bringing it all together. The two star memorials, one blue and one gold, were placed in a new memorial garden space to give veterans and visitors a place to reflect and meditate.
“I thought the display was a beautiful gathering of people coming together to not only honor those who have served but to dedicate this special place,” said Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss. “You know this home, the veterans home, has a rich history here in our city and to see this addition is just really special.”
The Blue Star and Gold Star Memorials at the Grand Rapids’ Home for Veterans (WKTV/Aaron Robins)
Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss next to the new memorials. (WKTV/Aaron Robins)
Kent Garden Club member and program co-chair Joan Tolley
Veterans and the community came out for the dedication. (WKTV/Aaron Robins)
Community members came out to celebrate the new Blue Star and Gold Star memorials. (WKTV/Aaron Robins)
Union High School JROTC Color Guard retiring colors. (WKTV/Aaron Robins)
Mayor Bliss delivered remarks from a stage in front of veterans and Gold Star families. She was joined by representatives for Congressman Peter Meijer and State Senator Winnie Brinks, Kent Garden Club organizers and retired military officers. Congressman Peter Meijer detonated an American flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol building on September 11, 2021. District Director of Senator Winnie Brinks office Kate Kooyman revealed that the Grand Rapids Veterans Home will receive nearly $6.5 million for operating costs and $200,000 for upgraded security as a part of a budget passed by the Senate for the first phase of the upcoming fiscal year.
The ceremony also included Soloist Brandon Harris and the Northview High School Band giving a rendition of the national anthem, in addition to playing taps, and the Union High School JROTC Color Guard presenting and retiring colors.
Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce member Kristin Ruther serves as the first vice president of the Kent Garden Club. (WKTV/Aaron Robins)
“I say congratulations to the Blue Star and Gold Star garden club, to all the family members, to all the leadership,” said (retired) Major General Gregory Vadnais. “Thank you for what you do, it’s important work. It keeps it in the conscious of American communities, that’s what we need to do.”
Gold Star father and Wyoming resident John Burri, who lost his son Eric Todd Burri on June 7, 2005, while serving in Iraq, couldn’t help but be brought to tears during the ceremony. Burri shared that as a parent, Gold Star families, which are families who have lost an immediate family member while in active service, are always worried about our heroes being forgotten, adding that the dedication of the Gold Star reaffirms that they will not be. Blue Star represents those families with active members in service.
Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids provides long-term skilled nursing care for veterans and eligible family members. The Kent Garden Club is an organization that focuses on gardening education. To learn more about both organizations visit www.michigan.gov/mvh and kentgardenclub.org.
Licensed Massage Therapist Joan Blessings works with an Emmanuel Hospice patient. (supplied)
While gathering a curated kit of art supplies, Joan Blessings marvels at how the act of creativity can bring such physical and emotional comfort to the patients she serves through Emmanuel Hospice.
A longtime fan of arts and crafts herself, Blessings never anticipated a day she’d be incorporating her hobby into her work. As a licensed massage therapist and member of the complementary therapy team, she works to manage patient symptoms through the power of touch, essential oils and other services.
But now with Art Legacy, Emmanuel Hospice’s newest complementary service offering, she’s also able to share her passion with patients, giving them the opportunity to create and leave behind legacy artwork for their loved ones.
“Art has a way of working different parts of the brain and bringing up different memories, as well has having positive effects physically,” Blessings says. “As patients create, their breathing can get easier, their shoulders relax, they laugh and smile more – it’s amazing to see the impact it can have.”
Art Legacy is designed to encourage self-expression while assisting with symptom management, supporting memories and providing connection. The program utilizes a variety of materials and relies on the creativity of Art Legacy facilitators, like Blessings, to give patients the opportunity to create.
The Art Legacy Hand Mold provides an opportunity for a person to make a hand mold with or for their loved ones. (supplied)
As a complementary service, Art Legacy is used alongside pharmaceutical and other medical approaches to help with mood regulation and coping, as well as anxiety, restlessness or boredom.
In addition to this new art program, Emmanuel Hospice offers other complementary services such as music therapy, pet visitors, virtual reality and acupuncture, to name a few. Blessings says what sets Art Legacy apart from the other offerings is how it engages patients.
“It’s important to us to provide our patients with a variety of options that engage the senses and create unique, joyful memories,” Blessings says. “Art Legacy is one more way we are able to do that. It differs from our other complementary offerings in that most of those services are something that the patient or loved ones are receiving rather than creating.
“Art Legacy really involves our patients in hands-on, enriching activities that improve their quality of life through self-expression, symptom management and more.”
The program also provides an opportunity to make a hand mold with or for their loved ones as a meaningful and tangible artifact. The hand mold can be of the patient’s hand alone or with a loved one to commemorate a relationship.
Art Legacy is designed to encourage self-expression while assisting with symptom management, supporting memories and providing connection. (supplied)
For patients who are more isolated, Art Legacy not only provides a way to engage with something but also someone. Patients enjoy the comfort of companionship that is included with a session through an Art Legacy facilitator.
Whether it be a staff member or trained volunteer, Art Legacy facilitators offer a compassionate presence while patients create. While an interest in art is helpful, no experience is needed to serve as a facilitator.
“Art Legacy facilitators don’t have to be super artsy; they can just be there to facilitate the activity,” Blessings explains. “We’re really there to spend quality time with someone, to bring some joy to their life and to offer them some love in a different way.”
Individuals who are interested in volunteering or learning more about Emmanuel Hospice can visit EmmanuelHospice.org for more information.
Transitioning from being a saver to a spender means you will be required to not only keep close eye on your investments, spending and taxes, but for also creating your own “paycheck.” (pxhere.com)
“Transitioning from saver to spender can be a disconcerting shift for many seniors. A more systematic approach to spend-down can help.”
Transitioning from being a saver in the accumulation phase to a spender in the spend-down stage of your financial life means you will be required to not only keep a close eye on your investments, spending, and taxes but for also creating your own “paycheck.”
This paycheck might result from living off the interest or dividends from investments for some retirees. Others may prefer more predictable income sources, including annuities and Social Security. These “safe money” assets can help you achieve more peace of mind and perhaps cover your basic living expenses.
Shore up your emergency savings
It’s crucial to take a systematic approach to the problem of how best to spend your money in retirement. You should ensure you have enough money to cover unexpected expense to last at least a year. Suppose you’re worried about having to sell off investments in a bear market to cover emergencies. You might want to discuss rebalancing your portfolio with your advisor, perhaps using more liquid assets.
Include predictable income streams, using annuities and life insurance
Most planners understand, at least on a fundamental level, the power of annuities to help their clients avoid running out of money when they retire. After all, almost every financial services company offers annuity products, and they have done so for many years. Modern retirement research has produced volumes of data-based reports confirming the value of an annuity in a retirement portfolio. Life insurance and annuities may suit retirees who desire the protection of their principal, a predictable stream of lifetime income, long-term care options, or want to leave a legacy to a family member.
Despite the positive data surrounding annuities, many advisors are reluctant to offer them to their clients. This reluctance is often because they believe there will be pushback from clients who have heard negative things about the product through the media or online.
Many popular financial entertainers such as Dave Ramsey have been openly antagonistic about annuities and continue to spread myths and misconceptions to their viewers.
However, continuing changes in retirement plan structure and funding of employer plans have caused more people to dig deeper into safe money and income products to create their pension plans.
Since 1974, the traditional defined benefit (DB) plan, which provided retirees with benefits based on final salary and years of service, has disappeared from the private sector. Replacing it is the direct contribution plan in which employees and their employer regularly contribute to accounts in the employee’s name. Direct contribution plans benefit companies by lowering their expenses. But they place the burden of retirement success squarely on the shoulders of the individual. If you participate in a workplace plan, both longevity risk and performance risk have been shifted to you. Standard direct contribution plans do not guarantee your account will provide lifetime income and running out before you die is always a distinct possibility.
That’s why most retiree portfolios will benefit from strategically designed insurance and annuity products. Strategically designed life insurance is another way to create more predictable, tax-advantaged revenue streams. Properly structured, life insurance offers investments like stocks, bonds, CDs, etc. Annuities relieve the consumer of the need to set aside additional money to offset potential risk and fees for managing the account.
If fear of managing your retirement accounts paralyzes you and causes you stress, simply pass it to a risk bearer, an insurance company. Let the annuity provide you with a safe and secure income.
Dave Stanley is the host of Safe Money Radio WOOD1300 AM, 106.9 FM and a Financial Advisor and Writer at Integrity Financial Service, LLC, Grandville, MI 49418, Telephone 616-719-1979 or Register for Dave’s FREE Newsletter at 888-998-3463 or click this link: Dave Stanley Newsletter – Annuity.comDave is a member of Syndicated Columnists, a national organization committed to a fully transparent approach to money management.
Disability Advocates of Kent County, set to open a new headquarters in the new Special Olympics of Michigan campus in Byron Township and already one of the region’s leaders in advocacy for persons with disabilities, is set to become even more of a force for good in the region.
Disability Advocates has received a $975,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that will enable the organization to make “safety and functional home modifications and limited repairs to meet the needs of low-income senior homeowners that allow them to age in place,” according to an announcement from the non-profit.
The three-year grant will help 150 seniors in Allegan, Ionia, Mecosta, Montcalm, and Osceola counties — and there is anecdotal evidence that keeping seniors in their home environments longer is better for the seniors mental and physical health.
David Bulkowski, executive director of Disability Advocates of Kent County. (Supplied)
“While we do not have direct evidence for this, it would be safe to suggest that it is so as low-income folks have fewer financial resources to address the barriers themselves and would be more stressed by simple barriers in their homes and could lead to feelings of loneliness and despair,” David Bulkowski, executive director of Disability Advocates, said to WKTV.
Disability Advocates was the only organization in Michigan out of 32 nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, and public housing authorities nationwide to receive an award from HUD’s $30 million “Older Adults Home Modification Program”, according to the announcement.
The national goal is to deliver home modification services to more than 5,000 qualified beneficiaries in primarily rural areas.
The move to expand its services into more rural areas of West Michigan is part of a natural growth for the group.
“Our work began in Kent County and almost only in the Metro Six cities as we were pretty small back then,” Bulkowski said. “From there we spread out throughout the county and especially with Senior Millage funding in Kent County.
“As for other counties, we would ‘sneak out’ into Ionia and Montcalm and Mecosta and Osceola to a lesser degree through the years as much as our funding allowed. This new grant has enough capacity that we can assertively market the services availability in those four counties and Allegan.”
And while Disability Advocates offers a wide range of advocacy and services, facilitating often simple but often very necessary home improvements and repairs has always been one of its goals.
Grant-funded services and qualifications
Examples of the home modifications which are available through Disability Advocates include installation of grab bars, railings, and lever-handled doorknobs and faucets, as well as the installation of adaptive equipment, such as non-slip strips for tub/shower or stairs, according to the announcement. These enhancements will enable older adults to remain in their homes — to “age in place” — rather than move to nursing homes or other assisted care facilities.
Working with persons with disabilities, for Disability Advocates of Kent County, is often just listening to client’s issues such as wheelchair access, and the working on solutions. (Supplied)
The HUD grant was awarded in August 2021. For the past several months Disability Advocates has been finalizing its project plan and is now sharing the information in the rural counties to find senior homeowners that could benefit from these services.
To qualify, recipients need to be age 62 or older, have proof of ownership for the dwelling they live in, and have income that does not exceed 80 percent of the median income for their area. For more detailed information visit Disability Advocates of Kent County at dakc.us.
“This is an exciting endeavor for our organization because, as our name implies, we focus on Kent County, but the same needs apply to our friends in neighboring counties, so we are eager to expand our reach with this programming,” Bulkowski said in supplied material. “We are very grateful to our state representatives who guided as through the application process.”
One of the governmental advocates for the Disability Advocates’ grant was Kent County’s U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer.
“I am pleased that HUD recognized the good work Disability Associates of Kent County does for our community, and I know their organization will use this award to improve the lives of seniors right here in West Michigan,” Rep. Meijer said in supplied material.
New facility but same goals
Providing home assessments and independent living solutions have long been a “cornerstone” of the 41-year-old organization and will continue to be a major portion of the services it intends to offer at is soon-to-open new headquarters.
In September 2021, Disability Advocates announced the Building Opportunities, Creating Independence campaign, a $2.5 million fundraising effort to move their headquarters to the Special Olympics campus. To date, the campaign has reached 90 percent of its goal and plans to move into its new space in late April 2022.
“We are on track to open for operations at SOMI (Special Olympics of Michigan) on May 2 … our community open house and ribbon cutting is May 12 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.,” Bulkowski said.
The opening of the new headquarters will also be the opening of a new Home Accessibility Center program.
The organization is using “a sizable portion of the campaign funding” to help cover construction of its Home Accessibility Center program, which will be the area’s first space where people with disabilities can explore ways to renovate and retrofit their homes so they can be more independent.
Peggy Helsel, development director for Disability Advocates of Kent County. (Supplied)
It will serve as a “test space” and showroom where persons with disabilities, their families, healthcare, and design professionals and building contractors to “explore options for a safer home, including models and adaptive equipment,” according to supplied material.
“The Home Accessibility Center is a response to a demonstrated need,” Peggy Helsel, development director for Disability Advocates, said in supplied material. “Often people ask, ‘What does that mean?’ when we talk about universal design and the home, we are giving people a real-life model home to experience what a universally-accessible space can look like.”
Many people are shocked at how much of their tax-deferred balances will be erased by current taxes when funds are withdrawn. (Supplied)
Because of the accumulation benefits of tax deferral, many individuals have successfully created substantial IRA or 401(K) accounts or other qualified plans.
Many people are shocked at how much of their tax-deferred balances will be erased by current taxes when funds are withdrawn. It is not uncommon for these accounts to have amassed seven figures of total dollars. It is also usually the case that little attention has been focused on what will happen to one’s hard-earned dollars when taking money out of the Plan.
Reductions Due To Taxes Can Be Dramatic
The tax-caused decrease in total assets going to family members can be dramatic. For example, we recently reviewed a client situation where the plan holder had a $6 million balance. The client wished to begin distributions at age 70 ½. Further, the client did not require any distributions to maintain their lifestyle and wanted all the funds to go to children. The client was disappointed to learn that, under the client’s current structure when distributed over 10 years, the $6 million would be slashed because of taxes by $2.6 million and only yield $3.4 million net proceeds to the beneficiaries.
The $2.6 million of asset erosion occurs because all funds coming out of a qualified plan are fully taxable as ordinary income. And, contrary to common belief, assets in an IRA do not benefit from a step-up basis when passed on. Thus, while this case was a reduction of some 43%, other plans can be crushed by as much as 75% because of income and estate taxes.
The existing Plan had other vulnerabilities, as well. One was the assets were all held inequities subject to significant drops in value. Over a lengthy period, the probability that such a reduction will occur is substantial.
How To Increase Net To Beneficiaries Without Risk
Fortunately, a solution that could produce guaranteed results was possible in this particular situation. We set up a plan where taxable distributions from the IRA will be used to purchase the appropriate type of life insurance with the family named as beneficiaries. The client and the client’s family can be much better off with this solution because:
Assets are shifted from taxable to non-taxed.
Total net after-tax assets to the family are significantly increased.
The increase in assets is immediate.
There is no need to enter speculative investments to achieve the gain.
The value of the account is not subject to market losses.
The results are guaranteed by some of the most substantial financial companies in the world.
The entire Plan can be implemented on a set-it and forget-it basis.
Implementing IRA Rescue For Your Qualified Plan
Each rescue of an IRA or 401K or other qualified plan is custom-made for your circumstances. For individuals with separate plans and assets, net benefits can increase from some 25% of asset value to many times the asset value. For married couples inheriting each other’s IRAs, the after-tax yield can be much higher than otherwise. IRA Rescue can be achieved by converting a client’s weakest assets – those with the most significant tax liabilities – to non-taxed assets.
And while a plan’s asset value is significantly increased immediately, the tax liability on distributions from the Plan is spread over time, much to the client’s advantage.
All plans can and should be coordinated with your accounting and legal, trust, and estate advisors, and we do that as a matter of course.
A complete solution is available with plan distributions able to be executed on schedule, trustees guaranteeing that policy premiums are paid as required, trustees delivering gifts to beneficiaries, and taxes able to be paid at the funding source. These solutions can truly be established to set and forget while delivering much more financial benefit to those for whom a client wished to provide financial security.
Dave Stanley is the host of Safe Money Radio WOOD1300 AM, 106.9 FM and a Financial Advisor and Writer at Integrity Financial Service, LLC, Grandville, MI 49418, Telephone 616-719-1979 or Register for Dave’s FREE Newsletter at 888-998-3463 or click this link: Dave Stanley Newsletter – Annuity.comDave is a member of Syndicated Columnists, a national organization committed to a fully transparent approach to money management.
Planning for any future endeavor can be overwhelming; a big trip, a long-distance move, making a large purchase or upgrade. Developing an aging plan isn’t any different, it can be difficult to navigate. As with anything, starting to research an aging plan is often the first step.
So why do you need an aging plan? It is important to recognize that you may not age exactly how you wish, but having this plan in place before barriers arise, allows you to have a peace of mind that your wishes are carried out how you want.
Where to Start: The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan (AAAWM) is a great place to get started on your aging plan. Area Agencies on Aging are a nationwide network of nonprofit agencies created by Congress in 1974 to be one-stop shops with information about programs and services to maximize the independence and dignity of older adults. At AAAWM, we serve a nine-county region that includes Allegan, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, and Osceola counties, and we partner with local agencies, organizations, and Commissions on Aging to provide vital support to seniors and their caregivers.
Everyone ages differently, and no two situations are identical. The resources that could work to support one family may not be the best choice for another. When you call our Information and Assistance team at (616) 456-5664, they listen to your unique situation and can help you get started. Whether you have current care needs or are planning ahead, we can help connect you to resources that focus on the goal of maintaining independence. The Eldercare Locator tool (www.eldercare.acl.gov) from the U.S. Administration on Aging can also be a helpful online resource for those not in our region or if you are caring for a loved one out of state.
What to Consider: In thinking ahead to your aging plan and having these proactive conversations, you should first consider what you may need help with as you get older. As you share your hopes for aging at home with your family, there could be some support they can provide for you and other things they may not. The good news is that there are many services available in the nine-county region to help fill these gaps.
Here are just a few of the many resources and some questions to consider:
Safety: Is your home safe for you to navigate? What if you were to lose mobility? Some home modifications can be simple, such as adding a handrail, others can be more involved like building an entrance ramp. Programs in the region exist to help older adults make these updates or required repairs and oftentimes will conduct a home assessment to help determine if the home is safe for independence and what steps to take. In some cases, agencies are able to provide adaptive equipment such as walkers and other mobility aids.
Home Support:Can you take care of yourself? Are there some tasks you require support with? Services are available to provide help with routine daily tasks like laundry, shopping, and light housekeeping. If your needs are greater, specific programs like the AAAWM’s Care Management or MI Choice Medicaid Waiver are in place for those who require a higher level of care.
Transportation: If you lose your ability to drive yourself, what are some of your options? Assisted transportation is available to provide older adults with pre-scheduled rides to doctor’s appointments, senior centers, meal programs, and more. Discounted public transportation vouchers are also available.
Meals: Are you able to prepare your own meals? Are you eating nutritious foods? For seniors who are able to still shop for their own food, a wide variety of nutrition services exist from food pantries to the Community Food Club. For the social older adult, congregate meals are a great option to have regular meals with others. Homebound seniors can still have the freedom to choose their own meal options and prepare their own meals through home delivered meals programs.
Health: Are you staying connected socially to peers and your community? Are you prioritizing your physical and social health as you age? Senior centers offer a wide variety of activities to help you stay engaged in your community including specialized programs and activities from woodworking to crafting and bingo. Evidence-based healthy aging classes are designed specifically for older adults to improve their balance and strength to avoid future falls.
Caregiver Support: If you care for an aging loved one, you likely require support from time to time. Services such as adult day, respite, and caregiver education programs are in place to walk with you on the caregiver journey and relieve some of this burden.
In many cases, you can choose the best options for you and what your needs are. It is important to note that in the case of some of these programs, based on age, financial, and medical criteria, some co-pays, or cost-sharing could be required. Call the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan at (616) 456-5664 to begin the conversation on how to get connected to the resource options in your community and develop your aging plan!
Graphic from City of Kentwood promotional material.
By WKTV Staff
The City of Kentwood and Georgetown Seniors are inviting community members to have lunch and celebrate successful aging by connecting with resources from as many as 50 vendors, as well as free health screenings, at the 23rd annual Spotlight on Seniors Expo on Tuesday, April 19.
The free indoor event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE. For more information visit kentwood.us/events. Vendor space is still available. For more information, contact Ann Przybysz at 616-656-5284 or przybysza@kentwood.us.
The vendors will include a variety of senior-oriented businesses, the free health screenings will include blood pressure, posture, grip strength and mental health, and there will be door prizes as well as free snacks and lunch.
“The Spotlight on Seniors Expo is a meaningful way for seniors and other community members to come together in celebration of successful aging and to learn about local resources that support healthy lifestyles,” Kentwood Recreation Program Coordinator Ann Przybysz aid in supplied material. “Our partnership with Georgetown Seniors and our event sponsors is key to the long-term success of this community favorite.”
Participating vendors include professionals knowledgeable in everything from physical therapy and assisted living to home improvement and health care.
“Staying active, healthy and connected is paramount to our senior neighbors,” Pam Haverdink, director of the Georgetown Senior Center, said in supplied material. “We are pleased to partner with Kentwood Seniors and we are grateful to the vendors who help make it happen.”
Lillian Vander Veen has been a business leader in the City of Wyoming for several years. She is the owner of Lenger Travel. (Supplied)
For Lillian Vander Veen, her career in the travel business started with a trip to Hawaii.
“It was our 25th anniversary and it was something that we really wanted to do,” Vander Veen said, adding that before the trip she had quit a job working at Northern Air, which had been located at the then Kent County Airport (which later became the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.)
It was on that trip that she would meet Sid and Bertha Lenger, a couple well-known for their travel tours and owner of Lenger Travel.
Sometime after that trip – which Vander Veen noted was wonderful – Sid Lenger approached her with an offer, would she be interested in working for the travel agency?
“I was surprised but Sid kept saying he knew of my previous work experience and thought it would be a good fit,” she said, adding she had worked for two different companies at the airport and was familiar with airline travel.
It not only was a good fit, but an opportunity to see the world, Vander Veen said, adding she has been able to visit Hawaii, Alaska, and Florida several times along with seeing parts of Europe.
“Lenger Travel was the first to book a DC 10 and a [Boeing] 747 for tour groups,” Vander Veen said.
Vander Veen would help to open an office at the now defunct Grand Village Mall that was located on Fairlanes Avenue in Grandville.
Lillian Vander Veen
The agency, which at one time had several offices in the Greater Grand Rapids area, went through some rough patches. The Lengers eventually retired from the business selling it to another couple who Vander Veen would purchased the businesses from.
“It was through John VanSingel that I was able to bring the agency to Byron Center,” Vander Veen said, adding that VanSingel offered her a spot in the bank he was operating. She eventually moved Lenger Travel to its current location at 2551 84th St. SW.
“You don’t get into the travel business to become rich,” Vander Veen said. “You do it because you love to travel. I think that for that reason it makes it more of a women’s field. It is often women who are planning the vacations.”
That isn’t to say that Vander Veen didn’t have challenges as a working woman in the 50s and 60s.
“The issue I had was not because I was a woman,” Vander Veen said. “Rather it was when I was living in Georgia at the time with my family. I was working for a company and I had befriended an African-American woman and it really bothered me that we couldn’t do anything together outside of work.
“We could only be friends at the office. It was 1953.”
Vander Veen still owns Lenger Travel and mostly oversees the books. Through the years, she has seen a lot of changes in the travel industry, but one thing remains constant: people like to travel. Lenger Travel has changed with the times, now offering assistance with destination travel to such places as Disney World and cruise ship adventures.
While Vander Veen is not in the office very much, she is active in the community she loves, the City of Wyoming, and attends many of the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce events, including volunteering for Metro Cruise.
“Risk can be a hard concept to calculate, remember, it is not a calculated risk if you haven’t calculated it.” – Dave Stanley
Photo from Pxhere.com
In the 2009-2010 NFC Championship Game, the Minnesota Vikings and the New Orleans Saints were tied 28-28 late in the fourth quarter, with the Vikings close to field goal range. Vikings quarterback Brett Favre took the snap, rolled to his right, and saw about 30 yards of open field in front of him. Even though he had injured his leg in the third quarter, all Favre had to do was lurch forward for 10 yards, fall down, and have a first-and-10 inside field goal range.
Instead, Favre reverted to what has made him a legendary hero (and sometimes a goat) many times in his Hall of Fame career. He planted his foot and threw cross-field where Tracy Porter intercepted him at the 22-yard line. At that moment, Minnesota’s fine season, Favre’s great comeback, and Vikings fans’ hope for a Super Bowl were thrown away. The Saints ran out the clock and kicked a field goal on the first possession of overtime.
What happened? In a pressure situation, with everything on the line, instead of making the high percentage play, a superstar did what felt familiar and comfortable – not what was safe.
You see the analogy coming. Quarterbacking a football team and managing your retirement portfolio are wildly different activities. It is doubtful that we will ever achieve a “Brett Favre” status within your success. Yet, a failure on our part to “read the field” could be more devastating to a family than the shock and disappointment felt by the players, coaches, and fans after that heart-breaking loss.
It is common for us as individuals to be the “quarterback.” If that’s the picture we are projecting, who is the head coach and team owner? Making all of the decisions in your planning can be very difficult, but help is often needed.
We have moments when we cannot handle any more risk (take the first down!). We know we do not want to lose another dime (just get me into a good field position!). It does not make any difference if you are convinced you can choose the stocks, funds, IPO’s, REITs, or whatever will right their portfolio and make you look like a hero. Most of us may not be ready to take that step with you.
During that game, there were millions of people watching. Some of those people were former NFL players. Some were Hall of Famers. Some were even Hall of Fame quarterbacks. But, when Favre planted his foot, there was no one on the planet more comfortable than he was. A lifetime of training, conditioning, practice, big games – even Super Bowls, had prepared him for that throw. It was the most comfortable thing in the world until Tracy Porter.
We may have the knowledge and experience but being all things in all situations just isn’t possible any longer. We all need a “Coach” to make sure we call the correct play. The disappointment over a lost opportunity while “going for field position” will be nothing compared to the fury if you try to “force a throw” they did not want you to make in the first place.
In plain English, we should never be comfortable with risk unless we know and understand all your options.
Dave Stanley is the host of Safe Money Radio WOOD1300 AM, 106.9 FM and a Financial Advisor and Writer at Integrity Financial Service, LLC, Grandville, MI 49418, Telephone 616-719-1979 or Register for Dave’s FREE Newsletter at 888-998-3463 or click this link: Dave Stanley Newsletter – Annuity.comDave is a member of Syndicated Columnists, a national organization committed to a fully transparent approach to money management.
“Planning to retire? Be sure you have your exit plan in place and remember, when you retire, you never have a day off.” Dave Stanley
Retirement is not likely to look anything like your parents’ retirement. The economic impact of government actions related to the pandemic, inflation caused by loose monetary policy, and stock market volatility have created craters in even the best-laid retirement plans. Many Americans are considering taking the money and running, opting for early retirement.
Joel along-haul trucker, says he was initially going to wait another five years before retiring. “Dealing with a lack of parts for my trucks because of supply-chain problems, frustrating and time-consuming regulatory changes, and inflation have made my life challenging. I’m retiring now instead of later,” he explained.
Retiring early is a decision many Americans have already made, mainly because their workplaces reduced or eliminated staff. Some workers were offered attractive incentives for taking early retirement by companies feeling the pinch of COVID lockdowns.
Regardless of whether your retirement plans look solid, it’s still a great time to review your portfolio’s balance and think about for how long you want to continue working. Fortunately, the basics of creating a secure retirement remain the same, except for perhaps a few additional COVID-related caveats. Here are a few things to consider:
Don’t count on working forever. Until COVID- working until you dropped seemed like a viable plan. However, results from a 2021 study by the Employee Benefits Research Institute (EBRI) confirm previous findings that indicate nearly 50% of all retirees left the workforce before the original target retirement date. This reality means that people in their 50’s and 60’s should have emergency plans solidly in place.
Reduce or eliminate as much debt as you can. It’s common sense to make debt reduction a priority. You don’t want to take a credit card balance, car payment, or student loan with you when you retire, especially when retiring in an unpredictable economy.
Have a health insurance strategy in place. If you find yourself retired before you are eligible for Medicare, you may have to find an affordable policy for those “gap years.” Even if you do get Medicare, you’ll need to plan for things like co-pays and uncovered expenses. One thing to consider is a health savings account, or HSA, which can help you grow a pot of emergency cash you can use when you retire. Ask your financial advisor to explain the many benefits of HSA plans and help you determine if starting one will work for you.
Finally, no matter what you decide about retiring, meet with a qualified retirement income planner. Ultimately, deciding when to retire may or may not be up to you. However, if you are thinking about leaving the workforce, you should sit down with your advisor and discuss every potential pitfall and how to avoid them.
Your advisor will suggest more strategies and recommend the right products to help you avoid running out of money when you stop working.
Dave Stanley is the host of Safe Money Radio WOOD1300 AM, 106.9 FM and a Financial Advisor and Writer at Integrity Financial Service, LLC, Grandville, MI 49418, Telephone 616-719-1979 or Register for Dave’s FREE Newsletter at 888-998-3463 or click this link: Dave Stanley Newsletter – Annuity.comDave is a member of Syndicated Columnists, a national organization committed to a fully transparent approach to money management.
In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, March has been designated as Reading Month. To celebrate and encourage reading, we are asking local officials, residents and WKTV staff and volunteers to tell us about a book that they enjoy. Happy Reading!
Today’s reading selections comes from Starla McDermott, who for the past six years has been serving as the development director for Guiding Light Mission. Since 1929, Guiding Light has been serving the Greater Grand Rapids area with a focus on offering safe and secure shelter for men looking to engage with society. The mission offers the following programs: the Back to Work Program, a short-term housing facility for men who are working or looking for work so they can save for permanent housing; and New Life in Christ, a program for men who are suffering from addiction, homelessness, loss of employment and other issues and they are looking for a new way in life. For more on Guiding Light Mission, visit www.guidinglightworks.org.
Book: Toxic Charity: How the Church Hurts Those They Help and How to Reverse It Author: Robert D. Lupton Genre: Christian Literature
Book: Women Who Run with Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype Author: Clarissa Pinkola Estes Genre: Self-help
For a work-related book, “Toxic Charity” is a good one. Published in 2011, “Toxic Charity” takes a look at traditional charity models and new ways to help, not sabotage, those that charities are trying to help. My personal favorite is “Women Who Run with Wolves,” which unfolds rich intercultural myths, fairy tales, folk tales, and stories, many from her own traditions, in order to help women reconnect with the fierce, healthy, visionary attributes of this instinctual nature.
In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, March has been designated as Reading Month. To celebrate and encourage reading, we are asking local officials, residents and WKTV staff and volunteers to tell us about a book that they enjoy. Happy Reading!
Today’s reading selections comes from Katie Favale, who along with being a forensic science technician for the Michigan State Police also has been serving as the mayor of the City of East Grand Rapids for the past two years.
Book: Frenchman’s Creek Author Daphne du Maurier Genre: Historical Fiction
Book: The Dot Author: Peter H. Reynolds Genre: Picture Book
I recommend the “Frenchman’s Creek” because it is a wonderful escape back in time. It has romance, intrigue, pirates and a love story – a great and fun read. “The Dot” is one of my favorite children’s books as it encourages expression and creativity in everyone – truly a family favorite.
“If you are within a couple of years of retirement, you will want to know the answer to this critical question.”- Dave Stanley
Photo from pxhere.com
Here in New Mexico, it isn’t unusual for someone ordering Mexican food to be asked, “Red or green?” In fact, “Red or green?” was adopted as the official state question in 1999. (Did you even know such a state question existed?) Chile is the fiery soul of New Mexican food, and everyone here has their opinion about which chile sauce goes best with which dish.
I like to ask my clients and prospects the same question regarding their retirement savings. “Do you prefer green money or red money?” Red money, I define as that portion of savings a person is willing to expose to market risk. With red money, you accept the possibility of losses, even significant ones. The desire to chase after market gains is perfectly understandable given our current low-interest environment that punishes savers. Nevertheless, risking your life savings in hopes of getting (often mythical) higher returns may not be the ideal decision for those who are within a few years of retiring. That’s because when you choose red money, your wealth is exposed to both upside and downside risk.
On the other hand, green money is the portion of your savings you want to safeguard. Green money is cash used to create income streams that provide you with more safety and peace of mind. Green money is for those who are unwilling to accept even small losses. Instead, green money people add products offering lower rates of return in exchange for low to no market risk. Real green money has no downside risk and only upside potential.
Choosing red or green is not black and white. Despite what you may have heard from your advisor or some TV money guru, neither red money nor green money is inherently bad or good. After all, you are an individual with your own level of risk tolerance and unique money goals. What you need your savings to do when you retire may be very different than what your friend, neighbor, or co-worker needs.
Knowing this, you shouldn’t be asking, “What’s better, red or green money?” but rather, “What percentages of each type should I have in my portfolio to achieve my goals?” “What portion of my cash am I comfortable with exposing to risk?” “What do I ultimately want this money to do for me?” If you’re wanting to move forward slowly and consistently, instead of getting caught in a cycle of two steps forward, three steps back, you’ll need to examine products that can help you accomplish that.
For example, certain types of life insurance and annuities offer you the possibility of creating predictable retirement income with little to no risk exposure. Exploring your safe money options is not only prudent but necessary as we continue to experience market upheavals and a precarious and unpredictable economy.
Summing it up: A successful retirement requires that you know with what percentage of risk you are most comfortable with, how much you can afford to lose during a market downturn, and what you want your wealth to accomplish. How much red or green money you put into your portfolio is a critical decision that every retiree needs to make. A seasoned retirement income planner can assist you in making that decision and ensuring that every one of your dollars does the work of three or four.
Dave Stanley is the host of Safe Money Radio WOOD1300 AM, 106.9 FM and a Financial Advisor and Writer at Integrity Financial Service, LLC, Grandville, MI 49418, Telephone 616-719-1979 or Register for Dave’s FREE Newsletter at 888-998-3463 or click this link: Dave Stanley Newsletter – Annuity.comDave is a member of Syndicated Columnists, a national organization committed to a fully transparent approach to money management.
Emmanuel Hospice and Palliative Care Music Therapist Miranda Eden leads a session on the benefits of music therapy at a recent conference on aging in Grand Rapids. (Supplied)
By Emmanuel Hospice
A wise philosopher once said, “Education is the ability to meet life’s situations.”
That’s especially applicable to understanding all the options offered by a hospice organization, according to Jennifer Radaz, education manager at Emmanuel Hospice.
“As we make contacts, we’re constantly assessing a person’s educational needs when it comes to hospice,” she says. “One of our main goals is to inform, and help patients and caregivers understand the scope of our services and how we operate.”
Radaz says that often means countering misconceptions about hospice care, including the mistaken notion that you must necessarily be within your last hours or days to receive services.
“As a result, we see a lot of late referrals, where people have been ill for some time and were unaware they could have had all of our services a long time beforehand,” Radaz notes. “The longer hospice is able to develop a relationship with a patient and their family, the better we can care and prepare them both for what lies ahead.”
Radaz points to critically ill cardiac patients in particular, noting that heart disease is the number one killer of Americans, and yet those suffering from heart disease typically wait too long to summon hospice for assistance. They sometimes receive only a few days’ care when, in reality, they qualified for hospice and could have taken advantage of hospice services for weeks or even months prior to their deaths.
Another misconception that Emmanuel seeks to address is that a hospice takes over with a plan of their own.
“We do not come in with an agenda,” Radaz explains. “Rather, we’re there to work with family and other caregivers, eager to know what matters to them, and how we can best address their needs. We don’t offer a one-size-fits-all.”
Emmanuel also strives to educate people that their brand of hospice care is funded by Medicare and private donations to support programs, like complementary therapies. This enables Emmanuel to provide core nursing, pain management, grief support and related services, as well as complementary therapies that bring music, massage, art and much more to the bedside.
Participants at a recent aging conference in Grand Rapids participate in a music therapy program. (Supplied)
“We want to approach people on multiple levels for their pain and management,” Radaz says, “and part of that is providing those soothing human touches that aren’t addressed by conventional medicine.”
Educating the public doesn’t stop at patients and caregivers, she emphasizes. Emmanuel, for instance, is constantly seeking ways to make connections with communities of caregivers that includes doctors, nurses and social workers. In fact, much of what they offer in a formal setting will count toward continuing education hours for health professionals.
Additionally, Emmanuel often delivers presentations at businesses, organizations, colleges and universities and professional conferences to promote better understanding of hospice and its benefits. The nonprofit also reaches out to retirement communities and medical facilities, continually exploring new ways to share its mission, philosophy and array of services with those who need it most.
“We believe that information is key,” Radaz explains, “and that it’s wonderful to be informed. We’re happy to provide that information in whatever setting is comfortable for that person. And there’s never any obligation. Sometimes, people aren’t ready to sign on for hospice; they just want to understand their options going forward.
“We’re happy to simply establish a relationship. As changes occur, we can step in, but only when that door is open to us. In the meantime, we’re happy to have those conversations.”
New moms and new babies can benefit from spinal adjustments. Photo by Dr. Erik Johnson)
As we celebrate Women’s History this month, I can’t help but think of my women patients who have a history of health problems due to poor posture. Poor posture is not something that comes along simply because we forget to stand up straight. Several factors contribute. When women wear heels, the added stress on the hamstrings can impact the low back. Heels also shift the center of gravity forward, arching the back. Pregnancy can further stress the spine – as can carrying a child around on one hip. Women who are uncomfortable with tall height or a large bust may purposefully slouch. To top it off, smart phone use is causing all of us to bend our necks in ways that make our spines react badly.
The postures that result from these behaviors can disperse the loads on your spine incorrectly, weaken the tissues in your lower back, and impact the intricate network of muscles, discs, and joints in your back. The result is, of course, back pain.
As a chiropractor, I often explain to my patients that a healthy back has three natural curves: A forward curve at the neck; a backward curve at the upper back; and an inward curve at the lower back. Holding yourself in good posture maintains these natural curves. Poor posture does the opposite because it stresses muscles, ligaments, and bones.
· Stand with your head, shoulder blades and buttocks touching a wall with your heels about 2 to 4 inches (about 5 to 10 centimeters) away from the wall.
· Slide your hand behind the curve in your lower back, with your palm flat against the wall. You should feel about one hand’s thickness of space between your back and the wall.
· If there’s too much space, tighten your abdominal muscles to flatten the curve in your back.
· If there’s too little space, arch your back so that your hand fits comfortably behind you.
Walk away from the wall while maintaining this posture. Keep it up throughout your daily activities.You will reduce wear and tear on joints, relieve stress on ligaments, and avoid back pain. Good posture can also help prevent muscle strain, overuse disorders, and back and muscular pain.
The good news, you can practice good posture. Save the heels for special occasions, hold your phone at eye level, and take special care during pregnancy and when carrying children. Remember that whatever body you have, it is a miraculous, beautiful gift. No need to slouch! And give your posture a boost with regular chiropractic adjustments.
“It’s fantastic if you inherit an annuity, but you need to understand the tax implications and how to make them more favorable.” – Dave Stanley
You cannot escape taxes if you inherit an annuity. Fortunately, though, understanding how inherited annuities are taxed can help you avoid paying more in tax than necessary. Your beneficiary status and how the payouts are structured determine tax liability for inherited annuities. You can do a few things to ease that tax burden and perhaps defer payment.
For instance, if you are a surviving spouse inheriting an annuity, you have a few options. You can choose to pay taxes on all the money right now or exercise what is called the “spousal continuation provision.” The spousal continuation provision is a tax strategy you use to avoid paying taxes now. You could also spread your tax payments over time by opting for non-qualified stretch payments based on your life expectancy. All of these options have their pros and cons, and you should always involve your financial or tax advisor in the decision process.
If you are a non-spousal beneficiary who inherits an annuity, the rules work a bit differently. Still, there are ways to help minimize your tax bill. For example, you could use what’s called a bonus annuity to help mitigate your tax burden or choose periodic payments. These types of annuities provide bonus money to incentivize you to purchase them.
You can also use other techniques if you have access to a tax planner. Your planner may recommend what’s known as a “1035 exchange,” in which you exchange an inherited annuity for a different annuity that is similar but could provide better benefits. The main reason you would even consider doing a 1035 is if a newer annuity offers you better benefits or more favorable terms. The main thing to remember with a 1035 exchange is that you can’t swap a qualified annuity for a non-qualified annuity to avoid paying taxes.
If you inherited the deceased annuitant’s IRA andthe annuity, you might be able to roll the inherited annuity into a personal IRA in your name. The roll-over option is only available to those who inherit both the IRA and annuity. If you could do a roll-over, you would have to follow the inherited IRA tax rules.
Qualified versus non-qualified annuities.
If you want to understand how an inherited annuity is taxed, two terms that are critical to grasp are “qualified” annuities and “non-qualified” annuities. An annuity is qualified if you purchase it with pre-tax dollars via a tax-advantaged account such as an IRA or 401k.
The IRS treats distributions paid to an annuitant from qualified annuities as taxable income in the year they are received. Qualified annuities are also required to follow required minimum distribution rules. Any withdrawals before age 59 ½ may be subject to the 10% early withdrawal penalty.
Non-qualified annuities arefunded with after-tax dollars in a fashion similar to a Roth IRA. There’s a caveat, though. Although contributions to a non-qualified annuity are not taxable, growth and earnings on the initial investment are tax-deferred. Tax-deferred means you will pay ordinary income tax on the earnings portions of your distributions. However, there are no RMD issues, and you won’t have that 10% early withdrawal penalty.
Summing it up: An inherited annuity can be a welcome windfall or a potential liability. If you inherit an annuity, be sure you find an expert who can help you navigate the rules and suggest ways to avoid paying more in taxes than you must. The key is in understanding how the IRS treats specific kinds of beneficiaries and annuities.
Dave Stanley is the host of Safe Money Radio WOOD1300 AM, 106.9 FM and a Financial Advisor and Writer at Integrity Financial Service, LLC, Grandville, MI 49418, Telephone 616-719-1979 or Register for Dave’s FREE Newsletter at 888-998-3463 or click this link: Dave Stanley Newsletter – Annuity.comDave is a member of Syndicated Columnists, a national organization committed to a fully transparent approach to money management
Anyone who meets Dave Custer will probably eventually hear the story of faced with his father’s story closing, he was able to support the tuition at the then Grand Rapids Junior College.
“Grand Rapids Junior College had lower tuition and allowed me to stay at home and helped me get a start on a college degree,” he said in article from the Grand Rapids Community College. “And having that degree allowed for better opportunities of employment, which molded by career.”
Because of the difference that GRCC had made in the CEO and founder of Custer Inc., Custer and his wife, Karen, have dedicated their time and abilities to ensure current GRCC students get the same opportunities that he had.
This month, the couple is being recognized for their service to the the Greater Grand Rapids community as this year’s Frederik Meijer Service Above Self Award presented by the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids.
“We are pleased and excited to honor the Custers as the 2022 Frederik Meijer Service Above Self Award winners for their contributions to our community,” said Meijer, Inc. Executive Chairman Hank Meijer, who is the son of Fred Meijer. “Dave and Karen’s generous and gracious spirts embodies the true meaning of this award.”
The Custers have been involved in a number of organizations such as the WMU Foundation, Chairman of GRCC Foundation, Hope on the Hill Foundation, Clark Retirement Community Capital Campaign Chair and Board Trustee. Dave Custer is a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids, member and past chairman of the Grand Rapids Economic Club, member and past president of Cascade Hills Country Club and director at Irwin Seating.
“We are honored to receive an award that bears the name of Fred Meijer and believe that you should do all you can for others when you can and while you can,” Dave Custer said. “We are humbled by this recognition which is truly an honor to us.”
The Custers join City of Wyoming’s Marge Wilson, owner of Marge’s Donut Den, along with several others who have received the Frederik Meijer Service Above Self Award.
The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids will honor the Custers at the Frederik Meijer Service Above Self Award Celebration May 10 at 6 p.m. at The Cultural Center, 2250 E. Paris Ave. SE. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Charities Foundation. Tickets are on sale at grrotary.org or by calling 616-429-5640.
Martha Washington and Betty Ford were former First Ladies who worked hard to help their husband’s achieve the highest office in the United States. (Wikipedia)
A focus on the presidents will be the presentation of the next Mr. Sid’s Video Series Program set for Wednesday, Feb. 16, at 2 p.m. at Marge’s Donut Den, 1751 28th St. SW.
Mike Martin, along with his wife Ginny and their friend Connie, will showcase a story too often missed in school, the story of greatness bubbling over by heroism of individuals aided and abetted by the love of family and friends. The presentation will focus on the wives of presidents George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Gerald R. Ford, who had to play a steep price for their husbands to achieve so much during their lifetimes.
“The presentation will bring a new understanding to your President’s Day celebration both this year and in the future,” Martin said. “Come ready to laugh and cry and be inspired during an hour you won’t forget.”
The program is free. There will be a gospel sing hosted by Lavonne Ritsema, Sid Lenger’s daughter, beginning at 1:45 p.m.
Upcoming Mr. Sid’s Wednesday Afternoon Programs are:
March 16: Executive Director of theHolland Tulip Festival Gwen Auwerda will discuss the Tulip Festival and one of Sid’s favorite events, the Tulip Festival Parade.
April 20: WOOD TV8’s Sports Director Jack Doles will talk about covering the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
May 18: Rick Vuyst from Fruit Basket-Flowerland will discuss how to prepare for spring from planting flowers and lawn care.
June 15: Chris Stevens, the chaplain for the LPGA, will again join the group and update on the Meijer Charity Golf Classic and Professional Women’s Golf.
Emmanuel Hospice works with those family members wanting to help as caregivers. (Supplied)
When it comes to providing care for its patients, Emmanuel Hospice doesn’t differentiate weekdays from weekends or days from nights. It’s a commitment that runs 24/7/365.
“We do whatever it takes to answer every need, and it doesn’t depend on the hour of day,” said Joyce Robinson-Beck, an extended care nurse for Emmanuel Hospice.
In her role, Robinson-Beck serves as the point person for a larger team of caregivers, who are also available overnight and on weekends. This includes registered nurses, social workers, aides, spiritual caregivers and even a nurse who can handle emergency admissions after-hours.
“When it comes to providing holistic care and compassionate support, we don’t pay too much attention to clocks and calendars,” said Emmanuel Hospice Executive Director Sara Lowe. “We are always at the ready to provide answers and care for our patients in their hour of need – whenever that may be.”
When someone calls the nonprofit provider of hospice care on an evening or weekend, they’ll speak to a registered nurse trained in triage, which is the ability to assign a degree of urgency to an illness or injury. That nurse then communicates with other Emmanuel Hospice personnel, who then process the information and act accordingly.
Sometimes, the situation can be handled by a phone or video call. If a personal visit is warranted, Robinson-Beck says there’s never any hesitation, even if it means repeated visits during the same night.
“Just the other weekend, we had a lady who had fallen to the floor and her husband couldn’t lift her,” Robinson-Beck said. “I went there in an instant and helped get her up. It was two in the morning, but that’s not a factor. You just go.”
She and other members of the extended care team might personally visit up to two dozen or more patients on any given weekend, tending to everything from a need for supplies to altering medications to coaching family members willing to help as caregivers.
“Extended care that provides services at night and on weekends is, to me, the root of what our team depends on,” Robinson-Beck said. “Everybody expects people in place from 9 to 5, but we are always trying to go the extra mile in those so-called off hours as well. It’s our goal to fulfill every need, no matter the time.
“And if you need us there in person, we’re on the way.”
The CDC is celebrating February “Heart Month,” with the Surgeon General’s “Call to Action to Control Hypertension.” This call implores each of us to take charge of our blood pressure because “a healthier heart can lead to a healthier life.”
What increases your risk for high blood pressure? The CDC shares the following:
Unhealthy Diet
Physical Inactivity
Overweight and obesity
Too Much Alcohol. More than one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men.
Tobacco Use
Family history of high blood pressure combined with unhealthy lifestyle choices.
Age. Because your blood pressure tends to rise as you get older.
Race or ethnicity. Black people, Hispanics, Asians, Pacific Islanders, American Indians, and Alaska Natives are at higher risk for high blood pressure.
The good news is that healthy behaviors can lower your risk for high blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, you can take action to control it and improve your health. And if you enjoy healthy blood pressure, now is the time to create good habits that will sustain it.
About one out of two adults has high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure puts you at higher risk for heart disease and stroke, two of the leading causes of death, disability, and healthcare expenses.
What is a good target to aim for? The CDC recommends keeping your blood pressure under 130/80 mmHg for most of us. AT the top of the list for bringing high blood pressure down are being more physically active and eating a healthier diet. You can start by taking a daily walk (at the mall if the weather’s bad).
Instead of eliminating unhealthy foods and drinks from your diet, find tasty substitutes. Choose fruits, vegetables, 100% whole grains and chemical-free, free-range meats and eggs instead of foods made with white flour, white rice, sugar, and lots of chemical additives. Enjoy a sparkling water beverage or tea with no sweeteners instead of soda pop. And, if you’re a drinker, cut back on alcohol consumption.
You might want to learn to check your blood pressure at home. Some people’s blood pressure rises whenever they go to a doctor’s or dentist’s office. This is called “White Coat Syndrome.” And it tells you about another contributing factor to high blood pressure: Stress.
If you live a high stress life (and who doesn’t these days) learn how to use deep breathing, mindfulness techniques, and relaxation practices like Yoga Nidra to let some of that stress go. The State of Michigan even provides the online mindfulness resource Headspace to help relieve stress. Check it out!
I know that lifestyle changes don’t come easy. Try to get your family and friends on board. And of course, enlist support from your healthcare providers—including your chiropractor. An aligned spine enables your brain to communicate with all of your organs so that they can function optimally. In other words, a healthy spine supports a healthy heart.
Yoga is just one of the classes offered through Eaglecrest Healthy Agining, which is part of the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan. (pxhere.com)
Are you looking for ways to become or stay active in the new year? Don’t know where to start? Eaglecrest Healthy Aging — part of the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan — may be the right fit for you. Their motto is “Start where you are! Use what you have! Do what you can!” There is no pressure to jump into the highest level, instructors have modifications throughout the programming and can meet you where you are. They like to say, “You do You”.
In the new year, Eaglecrest Healthy Aging has expanded its suite of programming to include more specialized classes. The SISU Seated class will give folks just beginning to exercise, or those recovering from illness or injury, a place to start. Yoga, EnhanceFitness, Tai Chi, Boom Muscle, and Silver Sneakers Circuit are other classes that will help build endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility.
Eaglecrest Healthy Aging programs are designed specifically for older adults. They are dedicated to helping older adults stay active and independent, offering evidence-based classes that are safe and effective. As people get older the chance of suffering a fall increases. According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), 1 in 4 Americans aged 65 and older falls each year. Incorporating a balance and exercise program can help build up a body’s flexibility and strength.
The Eaglecrest Healthy Aging classes come to you via Zoom. Want to try it without making a commitment? Interested participants can try all the live classes virtually for a week for free. Participants can meet the team of certified instructors and see the class format before committing to buying a package. There is no cost for SilverSneakers or Silver & Fit insurance members.
As an Eaglecrest Healthy Aging member, participants also gain access to its wide library of videos, so you can fit your workouts into your schedule. The revamped virtual class schedule just launched on Jan. 3.
To sign up for your free week or to learn about membership and view the latest class calendar, visit www.aaawm.org/HA. You may also email healthyaging@aaawm.org, or call 616-588-2580.
Every day online users are bombarded with real — and scam — communications. The trick to keeping your money and personal information is knowing the difference. (Pixere.com)
With email and phone scams on the rise in an ever-increasing online and media culture, local law enforcement and government agencies are working to educate consumers on current scams and how to protect themselves from becoming victims.
Phishing, defined as the fraudulent practice of sending messages designed to trick individuals into revealing personal information, has become one of the main conduits for fraud.
Katie Grevious, Better Business Bureau Communications Specialist, told WKTV that falling victim to a scam has become more difficult to avoid as “scammers are becoming more crafty and creative.” Grevious said that scammers use fear and a sense of urgency to prompt consumers into following their directives: “It is an emotional situation. Something is wrong, something bad is going to happen — that’s what gets people.”
The ongoing pandemic has also played a role in increasing the phishing strategy, with emails offering grants to those out of work and in need of money. In a more general sense, an increasing number of consumers have begun shopping online, providing ample opportunities for scam artists to create situations that involve an emotional response of fear and urgency.
“We don’t see it really slowing down as the pandemic continues and we become more online and internet focused,” Grevious said.
An online scam could also be as simple as clicking on a link to track an order. Scam artists often use the names of larger corporations, such as Amazon, to send emails offering a link to track an order that the consumer may not remember placing.
Grevious urges consumers to hover their computer mouse over the link, which will reveal a bar that states where it will actually take you, and even hover over the sender’s name to see the email address associated with that email. If it is a jumble of letters and numbers instead of, for example, Amazon.com, it is not legitimate. Also look at the browser — if there is a lock symbol and “https” listed there, it means it is a secure and authentic site.
“It is really important that people are vigilant all the time,” said Grevious. “Look for simple grammar and spelling mistakes. Big companies make sure everything is spelled correctly.”
Slowing down is also key to ensuring consumers don’t miss something important.
(Pixere.com)
“Think before you act,” Grevious said. “Our culture has a quick-go pace. We do a lot on our phones, so we don’t do that double-checking and hovering.”
Det. Andrew Tompkins of the Kent County Sherriff’s Office and member of the Metropolitan Fraud and Identity Theft Team agrees: “Good practice is that if you didn’t order anything or didn’t sign up for something, then it’s most likely a scam.”
Grevious also urges consumers to avoid emails that tell you to re-log into another account you may have, such as Facebook, and offer a link to do so in order to complete the instructions given. These are often ploys that will reveal your password to the sender.
“People may think it’s not important if their Facebook or Instagram account gets hacked,” said Grevious, “but a lot of people have a lot of similar passwords because it’s too hard to remember 200 different passwords to everything. Your Facebook password may offer a clue on how to get into more important accounts — like bank accounts.”
Preying on pet, gift card buyers
In 2021, one of the most common phishing scams involved buying pets online.
“People tried to buy pets online because of the pandemic,” Grevious said. “They pay for the pet through payment apps and then find out it’s a scam. The scammers will often use a random address on the website they create, so people assume it’s real. Then they show up at that address to get their animal and it’s not there.”
Buying pets online is also a place to be aware of possible cams. (Kent County District Court historic photo)
Grevious advises seeing the animal you are interested in purchasing in person beforehand, even if it involves traveling. “Legitimate businesses want to know you are a good fit for their animal. They want to see you in person.”
While email scams have become increasingly common, scams involving phone calls are still prevalent and used often in attempts to illicit money from victims.
Det. Tompkins said that one of the most common scams involves cold calls targeting people to send gift cards, claiming they are from various government agencies and that they have a warrant for the arrest of the consumer unless he/she pays to absolve the issue.
“Government agenc(ies) will never ask for gift cards to get you out of legal trouble,” Det. Tompkins said. “No legitimate business is going to ask for gift cards for services.”
Summer and winter have revealed an upward trend in scams as air conditioning and heat are turned on in homes.
“If you pay your electric bill online, and someone calls you saying they are from Consumers Energy and ask you to confirm personal information,” Grevious said, “say you will call them back and call the company from a number you know, like the number provided on the bill.”
Det. Tompkins had similar advice: “Do not give personal information or identifying information out. Don’t call the number that a person provides you over the phone, search the number for that business to call and confirm this is a real interaction.”
Some scams, however, play on the familiar. Det. Tompkins warns residents, especially the elderly, to be careful of scammers who call claiming to be family. “Scammers call elderly pretending to be their grandkids saying they were arrested and need to send money.”
When asked the standard amount lost by individual victims of scams, he said, “The typical amount of loss is under $1,000. But if the scammers target business or subject(s) that are wealthy, then the loss is in the several thousands.”
Grevious reminds consumers to remember that, “you are in control of your information and who you are talking to. Think before you act.”
Consumers are also urged to speak up if they become victims of a scam.
“The more people let us know what is happening, the more we can help,” said Grevious.
As teeth are one of the busiest organs of the human body, they need to be taken care of with utmost priority. Our recklessness often neglects our oral health (dental health) in eating habits and hygiene routines. Our overall well-being is dependent upon our dental hygiene. A single shred of bacteria can set our whole body in pain and jeopardy as many organs get affected by the bacteria deposits in our teeth.
The matter of dental health includes the overall condition of our gums, salivary glands, lips, tongue, ligaments, and mouth tissues, and chewing muscles. It means being free of ceaseless oral-facial torment conditions, oral and pharyngeal (throat) tumors, oral delicate tissue injuries, and craniofacial tissues, all in all, known as the craniofacial complex.
Dental care is neglected at a very early age, due to which the dental health deteriorates on the arrival of adulthood and mostly in old age. Today, many senior citizens in the US are facing oral health-related problems that affect their overall health. There are ample medical outlets that provide dental care for senior citizens at cost or free throughout the country.
Importance of Dental Health
More often than youngsters, senior citizens fall into the trap of oral health malfunctioning. This is because, after retirement, they find it difficult and unnecessary to avail themselves of dental care facilities and checkups. Secondly, they often have inadequate and unbalanced appetites due to soreness, and tooth loss is inevitable. This minor health negligence can be a driving force behind many other chronic dental and overall health issues.
Good dental health influences the overall health and well-being of a person. Painful cavities and bleeding gums are signs of deteriorating dental and overall health. Children need to be guided about the significance of oral hygiene so that they do not face chronic tooth decay or tooth loss at the slight onset of old age from an early age. Recent reports indicate a relationship between strokes, cardiovascular diseases, breathing problems, and periodontal diseases with dental health.
The tooth diseases start at the onset of plaques, which accumulate in the teeth if they are not cleaned properly. This gives birth to bacteria that can be harmful to the whole body’s functioning, as this bacterium runs through the bloodstream to different organs of the body such as the heart or lungs. This bacterium becomes a hard base gathered at the base of teeth, inflaming the gums and causing painful swelling and bleeding. Daily brushing is necessary for oral hygiene; otherwise, these bacteria thicken into black substances such as tartar and cause multiple infections.
Another reason why you should take care of teeth is because it can cause cavities in the mouth, resulting in holes in the tooth structure. Cavities can rot the teeth at an early age; thus, one entirely becomes toothless by old age. So, if you want to possess some teeth as you age, the observance of dental health is a must.
Studies have also indicated a link between diabetes and tooth infections. Diabetic conditions are more vulnerable to tooth decay, gum infections, and cavities. This further puts a person’s overall health at risk.
Some tips to enhance your Dental Health
It is advisable to brush your teeth twice every day with nutrient-rich toothpaste, like fluoride-containing toothpaste.
Flossing can prevent the accumulation of bacteria or any food leftover; thus, it can be done at home or done at a dental clinic.
The best practice to keep your teeth healthy is to visit the dentist once a week or twice a month. Dental checkups can be very beneficial as the dentist can advise on the onset of any medical condition or provide counseling on preventive measures.
Diabetic patients must immediately visit the dentist if they feel a slight ache, swelling, or bleeding in the gums.
Facilities by Government
In the U.S., the government has devised free medical health, dental, and insurance plans for senior government agencies through which clinics, charities, and non-profit organizations offer extensive medical and dental care. These dental and medical care facilities are free of cost and quality assured, with special attention paid to senior citizens’ health.
The senior citizens can apply for government-funded health programs that suit their medical conditions: a renowned government-owned free health and dental organization. Medicare provides assistance in dental care for senior citizens.
The public medical care service is like a free health insurance plan with comprehensive and extensive medical and dental facilities and allowances. The U.S. government founded it in 1965. This program is for senior citizens, youngsters, and other patients with chronic health conditions and disabilities. The senior citizens can enroll in this program and apply for Medicare medical and dental facilities for 50% and above provisions.
Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a database of specialists and doctors who act as consultants. They also assist senior citizens in understanding the importance of medical care, dental health,insurance plans, and billing processes. Many other such plans can be of great assistance to senior citizens.
Apart from this, every county’s dental association can provide accessible dental care facilities, dental checkups, and dental medicines to the enrollees.
Dave Stanley is the host of Safe Money Radio WOOD1300 AM, 106.9 FM and a Financial Advisor and Writer at Integrity Financial Service, LLC, Grandville, MI 49418, Telephone 616-719-1979 or Register for Dave’s FREE Newsletter at 888-998-3463 or click this link: Dave Stanley Newsletter – Annuity.comDave is a member of Syndicated Columnists, a national organization committed to a fully transparent approach to money management
John Irwin helps a student at the Y’s Safety Around Water program. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
Upon retiring as the West Michigan region president for Huntington Bank, John Irwin traded in his business suit for a different kind of suit, swimming trunks. His boardroom is now a swimming pool and instead of talking about financial security, he is now discussing water safety.
“I knew with retirement that I wanted to give back to my community,” said Irwin, who is a triathlete having completed more than 80 events in the past 20-plus years. “I knew I wanted to do something more on a one-to-one basis versus being on a board.”
Being a member at the David D. Hunting YMCA in downtown Grand Rapids, Irwin was aware of the many programs being offered at the Y, such as the water safety program.
“I basically sent an email and said ‘I don’t want to run the program. I don’t want to get paid.’ I just wanted to volunteer,” Irwin said. “I think Becky was like ‘You’re my type of person.’ That is how easy it was.”
Becky Haveman, the YMCA association aquatics and safety director, gives out a little laugh.
“John sent me an email with his story and I said we should talk,” Haveman said, adding that the Y has had volunteers in the past help with the water safety instruction. “It is not unusual for us to have 14- and 15-year-olds looking to eventually teach.”
Irwin went through training with the Y staff, watched classes and in September was set up with his own class of about a dozen six-year-olds who have never been near the water.
John Irwin. a retiring Huntington Bank executive, with his first Safety Around Water class. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
Jumping in
“You see them now and you think I am their best friend,” Irwin said after just completing a short class demonstration. “It didn’t start off that way. Many of them would not even get in the water, much less near it.”
In Michigan, on average, a person is only about six miles away from natural water, Haveman said. Because of that, the YMCA offers a number of water safety and swimming classes. In fact, these classes are one of the most popular programs at the Y, with the organization teaching more than a million such classes nationwide.
“The water safety class is designed to teach the students that if they fall in the water or see someone fall in, they know what to do,” Haveman said.
There is the “jump, turn, grab” technique where students are guided on learning how to turn and grab onto the side or something if they fall into the water, Haveman said. There is also the “swim, float, swim” technique that if a student is swimming and gets tired, they roll over on their back and float for a while to rest and then resume swimming, she said.
After demonstrating a technique, Irwin asked “OK, who’s going into the water?” A few hands shot up right away and Irwin takes each child, one at a time, until he gets to a little red-headed boy who with a pouty face, shakes his head no.
“You don’t want to do it today?” Irwin asks with a smile. The boy again shakes his head no. “That’s OK. I know. You don’t like to jump in the water.”
Volunteering for the swimming program seemed like a natural fit for Irwin because of his triathlon experience. Irwin also got his level one swim coach certification.
John Irwin with the Y’s aquatics and safety director, Becky Haveman (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
“I am hoping that now I am retired, they plan on using me a little more,” Irwin said. Havman gives a quick head shake yes.
Irwin also is sharing his story in hopes of encouraging others to follow in his path.
“When people look at the Y, they see the buildings but they don’t think about all the great programs that they offer that are inside the buildings,” Irwin said. “I would encourage people to reach out to the Y, or any organization they want, and take what they love and see how they can use that talent to give back.”
Who knows, you might end up trading your suit for a pair of gloves and a garden or maybe some shorts and a gym, or, perhaps like Irwin, a pair of swim trunks and a pool.
Like to join the fun? The Y will be hosting training classes for would-be lifeguards. The four-day trainings are Dec. 20-23 and Dec. 27-30. Lifeguards must be at least 16, and while most are high school and college students, theranks are made up of professionals, retirees, and stay-at-home moms. For more information, visit grymca.org/events/lifeguard-training-class. For the Safety Around Water program, visit grymca.org/news/water-safety-y.
LANSING — A staffing crisis at Michigan hospitals has renewed efforts to protect nurses from unmanageable patient loads and too many hours of consecutive work.
The Safe Patient Care Act, first introduced in 2017, has picked up additional cosponsors from both parties in the House and Senate. It seeks to regulate how many patients a nurse can care for and the number of consecutive hours that they can work.
It would also publicize hospital nurse-to-patient ratios.
Nurses are “forced to make painful choices every day,” Jamie Brown, the president of the Michigan Nurses Association, said in a statement.
“The hospital industry has been purposely getting by with inadequate (registered nurse) staffing levels for years,” said Brown, who leads the state’s largest nurses union.
“Nurses have long warned that our communities would suffer the kind of dangerous crisis that nurses and patients are facing now. The pandemic has only worsened and exposed hospitals’ emphasis on money above all else,” Brown said.
The union says that those choices are a result of hospitals trying to protect their bottom line. But Brian Peters, the chief executive officer of the Michigan Hospital Association, argues that government mandates for every hospital would be ineffective and make it harder for hospitals to operate.
“The one-size-fits-all approach inherent in legislatively mandated decisions impacting clinical care typically fails to recognize the complexity of patient care and the diversity of healthcare environments,” Peters said in a statement.
Unlike truck drivers, air-traffic controllers, pilots and rail operators, nurses have no federal limit on how many consecutive hours they can be forced to work, according to the Michigan Nurses Association.
Nurses can be fired and have their licenses stripped for refusing forced overtime even if they don’t feel fit to work because hospitals can claim that they are abandoning their patients.
Medical errors are the leading cause of preventable death, beating out smoking and obesity, according to the Journal of Patient Safety.
Nationally, the Nurses Association estimates that 440,000 people in the United States die every year due to infections and delayed or incorrect medications, problems that proper nursing care could prevent. Studies over the past two decades have linked patient mortality and staffing ratios, according to the union.
In Michigan, even before the pandemic, one in five nurses was aware of when understaffing led to a patient’s death, and half of registered nurses said they are assigned unsafe patient loads at least half the time they are working, according to the union.
Hospitals say that staffing is a collaborative process and fixed ratios “don’t allow for flexibility and innovation,” said John Karasinski, the communications director for the Michigan Hospital Association.
“Every hospital in Michigan has a process in place to ensure that each of their clinical units is appropriately staffed,” Karasinski said. “These processes are based on individual patient needs and the training, experience and capabilities of the entire clinical care team, including nurses.”
However, half of Michigan nurses say hospitals rarely or never adjust their schedules, even when they report unsafe workloads, according to a survey paid for by the Nurses Association. The majority (80%) of Michigan nurses are not protected by a union and face harsh repercussions for speaking out against hospital practices. The Nurses Association reports that multiple nurses have been fired over the last two years for trying to raise the alarm over this issue, worsening staffing shortages that are already at crisis levels.
Staffing shortages are affecting hospitals across the state. The Michigan Hospital Association says 80% of nursing groups nationally have reported an increase in turnover due to the pandemic and that there are nearly 2 million openings for nurses across the country.
“Hospitals want to hire more nurses, and they want to retain the nurses they currently employ, but the current national demand for nurses far exceeds the available supply,” Karasinski said.
The Michigan Nurses Association said that the Safe Patient Care Act will bring nurses back to work. It points to data from the federal Department of Health and Human Services that indicates Michigan was on track to have a more than 5,000 nurse surplus by 2030 as proof that there are plenty of nurses, but that hospitals are causing them to leave their jobs.
Brown, who also works as a critical care nurse at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, said nurses are staying away from hospitals for safety concerns.
“Evidence shows there are enough qualified nurses to fill needed positions,” Brown said. “However, unless there is a serious commitment to safe staffing, fewer and fewer nurses will continue to choose to work in these dangerous settings.”
The Safe Patient Care Act was introduced in March and is a continuation of previous failed efforts. But supporters say they hope the pandemic has refocused attention to safer hospital care.
The legislation dealing with limits on forced overtime has 45 sponsors in the 110-member House. That’s 34 more cosponsors than it did the last time it was introduced in 2017.
The package of legislation was sent to a committee in March and there are currently no meetings scheduled to take up the issue.
Brown said the problem cannot be put off any longer, and she hopes to see movement on the issue before the end of the term.
“We are seeing this downward spiral happen in real time,” Brown said. “Michigan legislators need to address the problem. We don’t need Band-Aids, we need substantive solutions.”
Nicholas Simon is a multimedia reporter from South Haven, Michigan. His areas of interest include international relations, commercial spaceflight, ecology, and globalization. He has covered events for both print and broadcast outlets ranging from protests to presidential debates and currently covers the Grand Ledge community for the Spartan Newsroom.
The current state of the Hebe Fountain at the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids. (Supplied)
Larry Arreguin Sr. was a proud World War 2 U.S. Navy veteran involved with many veterans organizations, and was loving family man suffering from Alzheimer’s disease in the last years of his life. (Courtesy of Arreguin family)
Larry Arreguin’s sons, Aaron and Caton, after playing in the Hebe Fountain at what is now called the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids during a visit to the facility to visit their grandfather, Larry Arreguin, Sr.. (Courtesy of Arreguin family)
Larry Arreguin with his sons. (Courtesy of Arreguin family)
For many people, memories of visiting the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids, previously known as the Grand Rapids Veterans Home, are bittersweet — caring people caring for a father or brother; strolling the grounds, the veterans cemetery in the distance; sitting quietly around the historic Hebe Fountain.
For Larry Arreguin, memories of his father, Larry Sr., a proud World War 2 U.S. Navy veteran and loving family man suffering from Alzheimer’s disease before he died in 2004, are forever linked to the facility and the fountain.
“The Hebe Fountain and Michigan Veterans Home in Grand Rapids played a significant role” in his father’s and his family’s history, Arreguin said to WKTV. “Both of these places own a somber and joyful piece of my heart.”
Arreguin — a Detroit resident who has worked in a staff position for the City of Detroit and the office of U.S. Rep. John Conyers, Jr., as well as serving on the board of the Michigan Alliance of Latinos Moving Toward Advancement — spoke to WKTV as the Michigan Veteran Homes GR is embarking on a long-awaited restoration campaign of the historic Hebe Fountain on its campus.
The campaign hopes to receive 100 percent of the $120,000 in funds needed by this Veterans Day, Nov 11, of this year.
“My family and I would visit my father at the Home and we would often sit with him near the fountain and enjoy the day while my children would play nearby,” Arreguin said. “Every time we were there, we tended to gravitate towards the Hebe Fountain. During the warm months, my toddlers would splash in the fountain and my father and I would sit there, laughing at how much fun they were having.”
Larry Sr., was diagnosed with Alzheimers in 2001 while he lived with Arreguin and his wife in in Detroit.
“A year before, we were fortunate to have twin boys (Aaron and Caton) join our family and was blessed to have a nanny staying with us. However, in 2002, my fathers condition worsened and another son (Cesar) arrived,” Arreguin said. “Trying to care for three babies and also an elder became too much for my wife and I.
“As we searched throughout Michigan for assistance, one place kept coming up and that was the Michigan Veterans Home at Grand Rapids. We knew there was a special wing at the facility that was designed to care for Alzheimer’s patients and after many days praying we decided to take my father there to visit. Once there, the nurses and other staff were so welcoming and pleasant that I felt confident in the quality of care that was being provided. I knew admitting him there would provide a much better quality of life than what I could back in Detroit.”
On Feb. 16, 2004, Larry Sr. passed away from complications from Alzheimers.
“He lived his life to the fullest and was always cognizant of the sacrifices made by others that served in the Armed Forces,” Arreguin said. “He did this through his work as Commander of American Legions Post 183, Chef de Gare of Voiture 946 of the Forty and Eight and his work with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts 701 and 6132.”
In his travels, Arreguin said, he often stops by the home to “reflect on the wonderful experiences” and to express his gratitude to the staff for all they did.
“Although last year when I visited, I was saddened to see the condition of Hebe Fountain, and made it a point to agitate and advocate for repair,” he said. “I’m hopeful, my boys and I can return when the fountain is restored to its previous glory and once again feel that tremendous happiness that was felt when visiting my father.”
Lee Walton, veteran resident of the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids, tours the Hebe Fountain at the facility with Tiffany Carr, community engagement coordinator at Michigan Veteran Homes (MVH). (Supplied)
The current state of the Hebe Fountain at the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids. (Supplied)
The current state of the Hebe Fountain at the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids. (Supplied)
The current state of the Hebe Fountain at the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids. (Supplied)
History, deterioration over the years
The fountain, designated as a local landmark by the Grand Rapids Historic Preservation Commission in November 1990, has been adored by veteran members and visitors to the campus since it was established by J.L. Mott Iron Works in 1893.
But over the last three decades, weather and deferred maintenance has caused the fountain to erode, and it has remained inoperable since being shut off in 2019.
The first noticeable step in the hoped-for restoration process will be the dismantling of the fountain to send it to restoration experts for a much-needed refresh, set to begin this week.
The complete restoration of the Hebe Fountain will include a new water filtration system, structural repairs to the base and water reservoir and a restoration of the adjacent drinking water fountain. Any remaining funds will be dedicated to annual maintenance and landscape beautification.
“The Hebe Fountain has been part of our legacy in caring for our nation’s heroes both past and present since 1893,” Tiffany Carr, community engagement coordinator at Michigan Veteran Homes, said in supplied material. “We owe it to our members to restore this landmark to its former glory and continue to offer veterans a place to call Home that remembers and honors its history.”
The Hebe Fountain Restoration Campaign follows the opening of the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids, a new state-of-the-art facility that consists of four unique neighborhood buildings and a community center on the campus in Grand Rapids. Veteran members began moving into the new “Home” in July of this year.
Persons who wish to donate to the Hebe Fountain Restoration Project can send a check payable to Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids at 3000 Monroe Avenue N.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49505.
Persons can also visit michigan.gov/mvh, click on Support MVH, followed by Donate and then Donate Online and select Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids as your donation option.
For more information or questions about the restoration project, contact Tiffany Carr at carrt1@michigan.gov or 616-365-3834.
Michigan Veteran Homes (MVH) is the entity that provides day-to-day operational oversight of the state’s veteran homes on behalf of the Michigan Veterans Facility Authority (MVFA) and is a branch of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). The MVH operates the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids (MVHGR), the Michigan Veteran Homes D.J. Jacobetti (MVHDJJ) in Marquette and the new Michigan Veteran Homes at Chesterfield Township (MVHCT).
South Kent Community and Senior Expo is set for Tuesday, Oct. 26, at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE.
By WKTV Staff joanne@wktv.org
Community members of all ages are invited to the fifth annual South Kent Community & Senior Expo on Tuesday, Oct. 26.
The free event, hosted by the City of Kentwood and Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, is set for 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE. It will feature a variety of products and services from more than 35 local businesses, as well as health screenings, flu shots, door prizes and free food.
The free health screenings will include blood pressure, spine alignment and more. The flu shot clinic will be provided by Walgreens from 10 a.m.-noon. For individuals without qualifying insurance, the cost will be $35.99 for a regular-dose flu shot for ages 64 and younger, or $65.99 for a high-dose for ages 65 and older.
“The South Kent Community & Senior Expo provides community members with a great opportunity to connect with a broad range of businesses and organizations in southern Kent County,” said Bob O’Callaghan, president/CEO of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce. “We look forward to this event each year and showcasing local products and services.”
The City of Kentwood is proud to partner with the Chamber on the expo, said Recreation Program Coordinator Ann Przybysz.
“There’s something for everyone at this fun community event,” Przybysz said. “We encourage residents, businesses and organizations to join us for a great lineup of activities.”
Touchdown sponsors of the football-themed expo are Consumers Energy, Estate Information Services, Inc., St. Ann’s Home and United Healthcare. Field goal sponsors are Baldwin House of Grand Rapids, HealthBridge Post-Acute Rehabilitation, Mission Point Healthcare Services, Priority Health and The Care Team.
