Edmonds Beacon - Your Hometown News Source

Dear Savvy Senior, I lost my job last month because of the coronavirus crisis. With little savings, I’ve been thinking about starting my Social Security benefits early to help me... — Updated 7/17/2020

Dear Savvy Senior, I manage a large doctor's clinic that treats hundreds of seniors each month. We are moving to more telehealth visits to help keep our patients safe at home... — Updated 6/18/2020

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good grocery and/or meal service delivery options for seniors? My 78-year-old mother has always shopped for herself, but since the... — Updated 5/21/2020

Dear Savvy Senior, Amid all the troubling coronavirus news, I've also read that there are various coronavirus scams going around right now taking advantage of innocent people who... — Updated 4/20/2020

Dear Savvy Senior, Amid all the troubling coronavirus news, I’ve also read that there are various coronavirus scams going around right now taking advantage of innocent people who... — Updated 3/19/2020

Dear Savvy Senior, What kinds of legal documents do I need to prepare to help my family after I’m gone? I would like to get my affairs in order but could use some help. ... — Updated 2/21/2020

Dear Savvy Senior, My husband, who lives at home, has dementia and I worry about him wandering off and not being able to get back. Can you recommend some monitoring technology... — Updated 1/24/2020

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you write a column on ethical wills and how to make one? The attorney that made up my will recently suggested I write one as a tool to explain the intentions... — Updated 11/21/2019

Dear Savvy Senior, What tips can you recommend to help make a home safer for aging-in-place? My 76-year-old mother wants to stay living in her own home for as long as possible, but... — Updated 12/27/2017

Dear Savvy Senior, What are the eligibility requirements to get Medicaid coverage for nursing home care? Caregiving Daughter Dear Caregiving, The rules and requirements for... — Updated 11/1/2017

Dear Savvy Senior, My wife and I are both in our late 60s and looking to buy a new car. Can you recommend some good resources that can help us evaluate and choose a good car for... — Updated 9/13/2017

Dear Savvy Senior, I’m worried about my 72-year-old mother who has been taking the opioid medication Vicodin for her hip and back pain for more than a year. I fear she’s becomin... — Updated 8/30/2017 Full story

Dear Savvy Senior, I would like to hire a personal assistant/home helper for my mom to assist with some simple household chores like house keeping, errand running, driving her to... — Updated 7/5/2017

Dear Savvy Senior, I’m considering retiring later this year and starting my Social Security benefits, but would also like to work part time. Will this affect my benefits, and if... — Updated 4/5/2017 Full story

Dear Savvy Senior, What is the easiest way to apply for my Social Security retirement benefits, and how far in advance do I need to apply before I start collecting? – Approaching... — Updated 10/27/2016

Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any specific flu shots that are better suited for seniors? I just turned 65 and would like to find out what’s recommended and how Medicare covers it.... — Updated 9/28/2016

Dear Savvy Senior, My 79-year-old mother, who lives alone, has fallen several times over the past year. Are there any extra precautions we should take that can help prevent this?... — Updated 9/14/2016

Where can I go to locate financial assistance programs for seniors? I have been helping support my 70-year-old mother the past couple years and really can’t afford to do it any... — Updated 9/2/2016

Dear Savvy Senior, Where can I go to locate financial assistance programs for seniors? I have been helping support my 70-year-old mother the past couple years and really can’t... — Updated 8/12/2016 Full story

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend any products that can help older golfers? I love to play golf, but at age 74, I have hip and back problems that make bending over to tee up or... — Updated 7/6/2016 Full story

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you tell me how to go about replacing important lost documents? My wife and I recently downsized to a retirement community, and somewhere in the move we lost... — Updated 5/4/2016

Dear Savvy Senior, I just turned 65 and would like to find out what types of vaccinations are recommended to Medicare beneficiaries, and how they are covered. – Health Conscious... — Updated 3/30/2016

Dear Savvy Senior, Should I enroll in Medicare at age 65 if I’m still working and have coverage through my employer? – Almost 65 Dear Almost, The rules for enrolling in Medicare... — Updated 3/16/2016 Full story

Dear Savvy Senior, Can you give us a rundown of how reverse mortgages work? I’ve see actors Fred Thompson and Henry Winkler pitching them on TV, and they sound like a good deal.... — Updated 9/30/2015

Dear Savvy Senior, Where can we find affordable hearing aids? My husband needs a set, but we can’t really afford to pay the exorbitant prices. Can you help us? –Loud-Talking... — Updated 9/16/2015