sponsored by Friendship Manor

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For caregivers: tips for addressing chronic illness care

[August 31, 2011]  (ARA) - Every day, nearly 66 million Americans provide care for a seriously ill, disabled or aging family member or friend. This can be a real challenge, particularly when the person you care for has been diagnosed with a chronic illness. Here are some tips that will make the process easier: (Click here for the rest of the story)

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Want to retire in 2012? Apply now! 

[August 31, 2011]  Plan to start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits in January of 2012?We recommend you apply this October if you’d like your benefits to begin in January. 

If the prospect of traveling to an office does not appeal to you, then save yourself a trip and consider the advantages of applying online for Social Security retirement benefits. The Social Security website at www.socialsecurity.gov makes the process easy and convenient. (Click here for the rest of the story) 

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Boomer basics: Easy and

affordable tips to maintain an active, safe and healthy lifestyle

[August 31, 2011]  (ARA) - Today's baby boomers are growing older gracefully. And although more than 10,000 boomers each day will turn 65, most are not letting their age stop them from maintaining active and healthy lifestyles.

Here are a few ways to ensure that you (or the ones you love) stay healthy, active and safe. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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If it's not .gov, it's not Social Security

[August 31, 2011]  When you go on a road trip, you need to follow the signs to arrive at the right place. Going online can be very much the same.  Look for the “.gov” at the end of the web address — if it isn’t .gov, it isn’t the real Social Security website — www.socialsecurity.gov. 

Countless consumers nationwide are victimized each year by misleading advertisers who use "Social Security" or "Medicare" to entice the public to use their services. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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More August questions and answers from Social Security

[August 31, 2011]  SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME 
 

Question: Is it true that a person can own a home and still be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits? 
 

Answer: Yes, even though SSI is a needs-based program, a person who owns the home they live in can be eligible for SSI benefits. People who receive SSI must be age 65 or older, blind, or disabled and have limited income and resources. But a personal residence is not counted as a resource for SSI purposes. For more information, read our booklet, Supplemental Security Income at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/11000.html. (Click here for the rest of the story) 

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People with a disability can get a ticket to work 

[August 31, 2011]  Millions of Americans receive disability benefits from Social Security and there could be good news for many of those who want to work. A free and voluntary program called Ticket to Work gives individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security disability benefits access to meaningful employment while maintaining control over benefit choices. (Click here for the rest of the story) 

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August questions and answers from Social Security

[August 31, 2011] 

Question:

What should I do if an employee gives me a Social Security number but cannot produce the card? 
 

Answer:

Seeing the card is not as important as putting the correct information on the worker's Form W-2. You can verify employee Social Security numbers by using the Social Security Number Verification Service. Just go to www.socialsecurity.gov/bso. This online service allows registered employers to verify employee Social Security numbers against Social Security records for wage reporting purposes. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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Foot care an important factor in healthy aging
 

[August 31, 2011]  (ARA) - Forget aging gracefully. For today's baby boomers, it's more important than ever to stay healthy and active as they age. While growing older causes some unavoidable body changes, more boomers are focusing on healthy lifestyles that can help them prevent problems associated with aging - like mobility issues related to the feet and legs. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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Tips for maintaining a youthful look naturally
 

[August 31, 2011]  (ARA) - Age means different things to different people. What some might think of as "old", others may view as "young." To present a youthful image to the world, making adjustments to your appearance is key.

To project the right kind of youthful image, it's important to know how to avoid going too far. A common mistake is dressing too young in an effort to avoid looking too old. Striking a balance between embracing current, youthful trends and adding your own style will create a more balanced look. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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The safety net for aged, blind, disabled people with limited income and resources
 

[August 31, 2011]  There’s a safety net out there for those who might otherwise slip through the cracks. It’s called Supplemental Security Income (SSI).  Administered by Social Security, SSI makes payments to people with limited income and few resources who are age 65 or older, blind, or have a disability.  

Funding for the SSI program comes from the general revenues of the U.S. Treasury, not from Social Security payroll taxes. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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Beat the heat: Go online to sign up for Medicare 

[August 31, 2011]  If the dog days of summer have you turning up the air conditioning or fan, here’s a hot tip to keep cool. When the time comes to apply for your Medicare benefits, don’t worry about trudging into the heat and making your way in the blazing sun to a Social Security office. Just pour yourself a tall glass of iced tea, sit back in the comfort of your home or office, and go to www.socialsecurity.gov. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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SSN retirement estimator celebrates three years

[August 31, 2011]  It’s been three years since Social Security’s Retirement Estimator went online. Within months of coming out, the online application was praised as one of the highest-rated online services around, and it has consistently remained so every year. (Click here for the rest of the story).

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Rules to Protect Seniors from Financial Exploitation Adopted

[August 31, 2011]  SPRINGFIELD – July 28, 2011. State regulations designed to protect elders from financial exploitation took effect earlier today. They were approved by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules on July 12. The regulations are needed to implement legislation signed last summer by Governor Quinn that required the Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) and Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to develop training standards to be used by employees of financial institutions who have direct contact with customers. (Click here for the rest of the story)

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