Senior GOTO Guide - Upper 2019 : simplebooklet.com

The Senior GO TO Guide is a directory of helpful public and private services in Connecticut for aging adults

Bridgeport

Easton

Fairfield

Monroe

Shelton

Stratford

Trumbull

Upper Fairfield County Edition

Guide to city and town services

SAVE FOR USE THROUGHOUT 2019

For the latest news and local activities, go to:

www.seniorgotoguide.com

ADULT DAY CARE

•

ASSISTED LIVING

•

HOME CARE

•

HOSPITAL SERVICES

•

NURSING FACILITIES

•

SENIOR HOUSING

•

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Guide to Local

SERVICES

AND FACILITIES

A DIRECTORY OF HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR SENIORS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Senior go to Guide

Benefits of Owning a Pet

FAMOUS FROM

FAIRFIELD

COUNTY

FREE

Retirement

Tryout

Pickleball—

Fun for ALL!

For information contact

Angela DeLeon

(203) 338-4225

angela.deleon@peoples.com

People’s United Bank is committed to working in collaboration with

community partners to protect senior citizens from identity theft and

ﬁnancial scams through educational programs, events and training.

Visit peoples.com/fraudwatch to

learn about our partnership with

Helping senior citizens stay

informed and protected.

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ow do you plan for asset

protection, considering the

eventuality of long-term

nursing home care? I refer to this as

TITLE XIX/MEDICAID PLANNING.

For most people, a stay in a nursing

home is initially covered by Medicare

after an individual has had at least

a three-day hospital stay and has

been referred to a nursing home

for “skilled nursing care.” Medicare

should then pay for the first 100 days

of that stay, but often terminates

Medicare coverage much sooner.

After that, it is up to the individual to

pay out of pocket. At the point when

the individual is “spent down” and is

below certain income and asset limits,

Medicaid will pay for the stay.

In Connecticut, Medicaid allows

an applicant a maximum of $1,600

in assets and $2,135.32 in gross

monthly income to be approved for

eligibility. N.B.: A married couple,

however, can preserve additional

assets and income, i.e., half the joint

assets up to a max half of $126,420

for the “community spouse” to retain

and $2,894/mo. in gross income for

a couple (#s as of 7/1/18). Excess

assets would have to be spent down.

By this point in life, most people have

a home and have worked hard all

their lives to pay for that home, and

they would like to preserve it for their

children/family. As far as Medicaid is

concerned, that home is a countable

asset unless the applicant’s spouse

or dependent still lives there, or the

applicant has the intent to return to

live in the home, during which time

the home would be considered an

exempt asset. It would be natural to

assume that you could, at that point,

sign over the deed to the house to

someone else. However, Medicaid

has a five-year “look back period”

and penalizes the applicant for the

improper transfer of assets. As a

result, Medicaid deems the applicant

ineligible for the duration of the

transfer penalty period. If your

home is still in your own name, you

may be forced to sell your home and

spend down the proceeds on nursing

home care before you are approved

for Medicaid. N.B.: There are some

exempt transfers that do not result

in a penalty, i.e., transfer to a spouse

or to an adult, live-in child who

provided care to keep you out of a

nursing home for two years prior to

your application for benefits. Medical

records and reports will be necessary

to support this exempt transfer.

One way to prevent this scenario is

to plan far ahead and transfer your

home to your children NOW and

retain a life use to the property.

There are pros and cons of this

avenue, and it works fine as long

as the transfer is completed five

years prior to your application for

benefits. By “retaining a life use,”

you are protected as your children

cannot sell or mortgage the property

or kick you out. Further, you, as

the life tenant, would be eligible

to apply for a reverse mortgage if

needed. The children would receive

a step-up in basis to the date-of-

death value of the home and thus

avoid any capital gain when they go

and sell the property. The retained

life use, however, is considered an

asset for Title XIX purposes, which

life-use value is based on your life

expectancy and the net value of the

home at the time of application

for benefits.

Proper estate planning entails TITLE

XIX/ MEDICAID PLANNING for

long-term nursing home care, taking

into consideration Medicaid’s five-

year “look back period.” Be sure

to consult with an experienced

Elder Law attorney to discuss your

TITLE XIX/MEDICAID PLANNING

options.

Attorney James M. Hughes

1432 Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824

203-256-1977

hughes_james@sbcglobal.net

www.fairfieldctelderlaw.com

Law Office of James M. Hughes

Please call on us whenever we can be of service.

Elder Law, Title 19/MEDICAID Planning and Spend-down

Wills, Power of Attorney & Health Care Instructions • Veteran’s Benefits

Trusts • Estates and Probate • Real Estate

Attorney Hughes provides clients with high-quality legal

services personalized for their unique needs.

Please call us at 203-256-1977 to set up a convenient appointment.

Law Office of James M. Hughes

1432 Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824

203-256-1977 • E-mail: Hughes_james@sbcglobal.net • www.fairfieldctelderlaw.com

by Attorney

James M. Hughes

TITLE XIX/MEDICAID PLANNING

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LOCAL BUSINESSES AND SERVICES

Find the products and services that you need.

37 Professionals, Businesses and Services

40 Caregivers, Residential Facilities and Rehabilitation Facilities

44 Legal, Insurance, Real Estate, Mortgages/Reverse Mortgages

and Financial Professionals

46 Cemeteries and Funeral Homes

ARTICLES

4 Title XIX/Medicaid Planning

8 Keep Smiling!

11 Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery Can Improve Your Vision

12 What is a Geriatric Assessment?

14 MAAP—Navigating the Journey Your Pet Will Take If You Cannot Care for It

17 Preplanning Your Funeral Makes Sense

18 Benefits of Owning a Pet

20 A Retirement “Tryout”

22 Understanding the Myths and Realities of a Reverse Mortgage

24 Celebrities in the County

28 Holographic Wills

29 Avoid Retirement Surprises

30 A New Kind of Long-Term Care Insurance

31 A Tax Break for the Elderly—With Strings

31 Money and Satisfaction

32 Pickleball—Fun for All!

33 Estate Planning Essentials

36 Senior Home Care and Residential Living Options

43 A Surprise Problem Upon Turning 100

67 Thank You Veterans! and information on VA Hospital Services

Table of Contents

For advertising info: Contact us toll free at 1-888-818-1232

or info@seniorgotoguide.com

The Senior GO TO Guide Resource Directory is published annually by the Merrill Anderson Co., Inc.,

1166 Barnum Ave., Stratford, CT 06614. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in

the Guide is correct, but the publisher or its employees cannot be held responsible for any errors or

omissions or damages or losses caused directly or indirectly by the information.

in any manner without written permission of the Publisher.

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND RESOURCES

Your community offers a wide range of services especially for seniors.

34 Area Hospitals and Their Services for Seniors

47 Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging

48 Bridgeport

50 Easton

52 Fairfield

55 Monroe

57 Shelton

58 Stratford

60 Trumbull

63 Connecticut Health and Service Organizations

63 National Health and Service Organizations

65 Index

Live well, live long!

With retirements lasting longer, it’s

important to plan your future and live

a healthy lifestyle so that your senior

years will be truly golden.

Please take advantage of the many

great resources that are included

in this edition of the Senior GO TO

Guide. Most importantly, the Guide

includes information on local com-

panies, agencies, facilities and profes-

sionals who are qualified, experienced

and stand ready to assist you. Please

call on them whenever a need arises

and mention that you saw them in the

Senior GO TO Guide.

For the latest news and information

on local events please visit our web-

site at seniorgotoguide.com.

Cheers!

Thomas Gerrity

Publisher

tgerrity@seniorgotoguide.com

To start or to make changes to your

free subscription, please e-mail us at

info@seniorgotoguide.com

or call us at 1-888-818-1232.

For information on local events visit seniorgotoguide.com.

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WITH THE RIGHT DENTAL CARE, YOU’LL LOOK AND FEEL BETTER.

by Peter J.O’Connell, Editorial and Research Associate

KEEP SMILING!

hether you’re 9 or 99

years old, dental care

is important. If you’re

65 or older, it’s especially important

to keep a careful eye on your oral

health as poor oral health can have a

negative effect on your overall health

and well-being, Gum disease has been

potentially linked to a whole host of

issues, including stroke, high blood

pressure, and even heart disease.

So as a senior, what should you do to

protect your oral health and keep your

gums and teeth healthy and happy?

Brush gently and brush often

When some people retire, their daily

routines change, and they tend to

overlook their health and wellness as

a whole. In reality, you should do the

opposite, especially when it comes to

your dental health. As you get older,

your teeth and gums inevitably have

more “wear and tear” on them than

when you were younger.

This means that you need to be

even more diligent with your oral

health, and take the necessary steps

to keep your teeth and gums clean.

Most dentists recommend that you

brush your teeth twice a day for

approximately two minutes with

fluoride toothpaste. It’s important

to brush gently and thoroughly, but

don’t overbrush. Brushing too hard

(or using a toothpaste that is too

abrasive) can actually wear down

your teeth enamel.

Floss every day

Flossing is such a simple habit,

yet many people don’t do it. Most

estimates put adults who floss daily at

between 30%-50%. Flossing removes

small food particles, debris, and

bacteria from between your teeth, and

can be done in less than a minute. If

you’re a senior, and you’ve never made

flossing part of your daily oral hygiene

routine, get started now!

If you wear removable dentures,

keep them clean

Many seniors are opting to replace

their removable dentures with a fixed

denture or dental implants. However,

if you currently wear a removable

denture, it’s important to clean it

daily, because any bacteria or debris

on your denture will likely come into

contact with your gums, which could

increase your chances of getting

gum disease.

Avoid dry mouth, stay hydrated

The older we get, the more prone

we are to dry mouth, a condition in

which saliva production decreases.

Dry mouth can lead to a host of

Continued on page 10

WITH THE RIGHT DENTAL CARE, YOU’LL LOOK AND FEEL BETTER.

by Peter J.O’Connell, Editorial and Research Associate

KEEP SMILING!

hether you’re 9 or 99

years old, dental care

is important. If you’re

65 or older, it’s especially important

to keep a careful eye on your oral

health as poor oral health can have a

negative effect on your overall health

and well-being, Gum disease has been

potentially linked to a whole host of

issues, including stroke, high blood

pressure, and even heart disease.

So as a senior, what should you do to

protect your oral health and keep your

gums and teeth healthy and happy?

Brush gently and brush often

When some people retire, their daily

routines change, and they tend to

overlook their health and wellness as

a whole. In reality, you should do the

opposite, especially when it comes to

your dental health. As you get older,

your teeth and gums inevitably have

more “wear and tear” on them than

when you were younger.

This means that you need to be

even more diligent with your oral

health, and take the necessary steps

to keep your teeth and gums clean.

Most dentists recommend that you

brush your teeth twice a day for

approximately two minutes with

fluoride toothpaste. It’s important

to brush gently and thoroughly, but

don’t overbrush. Brushing too hard

(or using a toothpaste that is too

abrasive) can actually wear down

your teeth enamel.

Floss every day

Flossing is such a simple habit,

yet many people don’t do it. Most

estimates put adults who floss daily at

between 30%-50%. Flossing removes

small food particles, debris, and

bacteria from between your teeth, and

can be done in less than a minute. If

you’re a senior, and you’ve never made

flossing part of your daily oral hygiene

routine, get started now!

If you wear removable dentures,

keep them clean

Many seniors are opting to replace

their removable dentures with a fixed

denture or dental implants. However,

if you currently wear a removable

denture, it’s important to clean it

daily, because any bacteria or debris

on your denture will likely come into

contact with your gums, which could

increase your chances of getting

gum disease.

Avoid dry mouth, stay hydrated

The older we get, the more prone

we are to dry mouth, a condition in

which saliva production decreases.

Dry mouth can lead to a host of

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Through the use of dental implants, we can make your dentures feel like your natural

teeth. You will eliminate all of the hassles related to dentures, eat any foods that you want and

improve your sense of taste. Dental implants are an affordable way to regain the feeling of

having your own teeth again.

LET US HELP YOU SMILE

Want to make your dentures feel like your real teeth?

We provide care to our mature patients through careful, thorough diagnosis; individually

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Schedule A Visit Today!

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We welcome new patients!

General Dentistry, Cosmetic and

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• Implants

• Porcelain veneers

• Crowns and bridges

• Full and partial dentures

• Sedation

• TMJ Treatment

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dental and overall health problems.

Because saliva cleans the mouth and

remineralizes teeth, lack of sufficient

saliva encourages cavity development

and acid erosion.

• Avoid mouthwashes with alcohol,

as alcohol and toothpaste with

sodium lauryl sulfate both promote

dryness

• Avoid caffeine, tobacco, and

alcoholic beverages

• Use sugar-free gum or lozenges to

stimulate saliva production

• Drink 8 to 10 glasses of pure water

each day

• Keep a humidifier on in your

bedroom while you sleep

• If your mouth is sore, avoid spicy

or salty foods

Limit your soft drink intake

It’s no secret that alcohol and

tobacco products are bad for your

teeth and gums, but so are soft

drinks. We’re not saying that you

shouldn’t ever drink a soft drink

again, but you should be aware that

some of them are highly acidic, and

that acid can wear down your enamel

over time.

See a dentist regularly

If you haven’t been to the dentist

in a while, now is the perfect time

to go ahead and schedule your next

appointment. If you’re considering

using a new dentist, please check

out the excellent dentists listed

here in the Senior GO TO Guide. All

are highly rated and have a special

interest in treating seniors.

Can You Upgrade Your Dentures?

Many people believe that if they don’t like their dentures,

there is no alternative available. This, however, is no longer

accurate. Many people who wear dentures are good

candidates for dental implants. Implants are tiny pieces

of titanium that are implanted into the jawbone to keep

dentures in place and restore a natural-tooth feel.

• Implant supported dentures offer many benefits over

traditional dentures. Including:

• Greater stability, ensuring that your dentures do not slip and

slide around.

• Restore a more natural biting and chewing capacity.

• Restore your ability to fully taste what you eat.

• Decrease irritation of gum tissue.

• Improve speech and confidence

• Preserve your jawbone, preventing further deterioration. This

is not only healthy for your mouth, but also it can improve

your facial structure.

Figuring out if you want to switch from traditional to implant-

supported dentures is entirely personal and best decided

after speaking with a dentist who specializes in prosthetic

dental procedures.

Continued from page 8

by James R. Pinke, M.D.

aser assisted cataract

surgery (LACS) is the newest

evolutionary improvement

in cataract surgery. This surgery

offers patients increased precision

and eliminates the need for blades

to make incisions into the eye. I

have always been at the forefront of

cataract surgery improvements. As

such I added LACS to my practice

about three-and-one-half years

ago, initially at the Wilton Surgery

Center, because there was no laser

more locally. It’s been almost two

years since I brought laser assisted

cataract surgery to the upper

Fairfield, lower New Haven County

area, specifically at the Milford-based

Connecticut Eye Surgery Center.

While laser does not replace all

aspects of cataract surgery, it can

reduce astigmatism using precise

laser light and softens the cataract to

facilitate easier removal of the cataract

material. As the Medical Director of

the Connecticut Eye Surgery Center

in Milford, I recommend this new

addition to cataract surgery care to

all of my patients.

Laser in conjunction with major

improvements in intraocular lens

technology in the past few years,

allows me to improve distance vision,

reading vision, and astigmatism in

the vast majority of patients. Most

patients who opt for advanced

technology lens implants can look

forward to not only excellent

distance vision, but also markedly

improved uncorrected intermediate

and close vision after cataract

surgery. In this new era of modern,

gentle laser assisted surgery with

multifocal lens implants, many

patients no longer require glasses for

any of their visual needs.

In my practice at The Pinke Eye

Center, we take the time to review

in detail all of the modern options

available to our patients regarding

cataract care. We consider patient

education to be extremely important.

To that end we not only educate, but

we also listen intently to allow us to

fit the available technology to our

individual patients’ needs. Patients

are often surprised at the number of

tests and sophisticated instruments

we use to guide us toward the best

treatment. We also offer second

opinions and are often surprised at

how few patients have been made

aware of the modern alternatives,

specifically laser assisted surgery and

multifocal implants.

• Gentle, Bladeless Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery

• Premium Multifocal & Astigmatic Lens Implants

• Glaucoma/Diabetes/Macular Degeneration

• Eyelid Plastic Surgery

• Comprehensive Eye Care

• Eyeglasses/Contact Lenses

• Most Insurance Plans Accepted

JAMES R. PINKE, M.D.

Board Certified

Physician/Surgeon

(203) 924-8800

9 Cots Street, Shelton, CT

pinkeeyecenter.com

New Patients Welcome!

Get the highest quality eye care with courtesy, concern and compassion.

Medical Director: CT Eye Surgery Center-Milford • Attending Surgeon: Griffin Hospital / Wilton Surgery Center

Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery

Can Improve Your Vision

or older patients with multiple health problems, a comprehensive

geriatric assessment is a good way to get a better understanding of

your overall health and is a logical starting point for putting together

the best care program for you.

The benefits can be immediate and long-term, as was the case when my

mother had a geriatric assessment done a few months shy of her 87th

birthday. She was suffering from dementia, Parkinson’s, and depression, and

we were at wit’s end in trying to figure out how best to care for her.

As her primary caregiver, I accompanied her to the Geriatric Center. As staff

members met with my mother to evaluate her physical and mental health, I

met with other staff members so that they could get a fuller understanding

of how my mother was functioning day to day.

When we left about three hours later, we had a much better understanding

of my mother’s ailments and a comprehensive plan for her care, including

new prescriptions for treating the depression and dementia. In a matter

of days, my mother’s depression was gone, and over the next couple of

months, we noticed that her dementia had somewhat stabilized. And our

frustration level was much lower because we had confidence that she was

getting the right care.

Here is some information on what’s involved and what to expect

from a geriatric assessment.

What is a Geriatric Assessment?

What should I bring to a

geriatric assessment?

• All medicine containers

• Medical records

• Details of past illnesses, surgeries,

allergies, etc.

• Current insurance information

What should you expect during

a geriatric assessment?

A geriatric assessment may last

two hours or more. During the

assessment, geriatricians will

work closely with a team of

healthcare professionals−including

clinical nurse specialists, social

workers, physical therapists,

and pharmacists−to complete a

comprehensive evaluation.

The team will evaluate and assess

the patient’s physical health, mental

health, functional status, social

support system, and economic

status, as well as the accessibility

and safety of the person’s

living environment. During the

assessment, the person’s levels

of social and emotional support

and physical functioning will be

evaluated. The nurse also will

screen the patient for depression

and memory impairment and gather

information about social supports

and living conditions.

What is the cost of a geriatric

evaluation and management

assessment?

Medicare Part B covers costs of the

physician consultation and most

private insurance plans. Medicare

Part B also covers costs of diagnostic

tests. Specialists may bill separately,

but referrals for additional services

will be reviewed with you before

they are ordered.

What exactly is a geriatric

assessment?

A geriatric assessment is a

consultative resource for patients,

their family members and caregivers,

and their primary care physicians.

The assessment provides a

comprehensive assessment of an

older adult’s health issues in the

context of social and family needs,

and it provides a comprehensive plan

for managing the person’s conditions

and care.

A geriatric assessment also provides

education and patient-specific

information about health problems,

as well as information and access to

community and private supports for

patients and caregivers.

When is a geriatric assessment

appropriate?

A geriatric management assessment

is advised if you are concerned

about your loved one’s ability to live

independently or if the person is

experiencing any combination of the

following symptoms:

• Multiple health problems

• Confusion or memory loss

• Behavioral changes, including

sadness, depression, or anxiety

• Difficulty performing daily

activities

• Balance and walking problems

• Weakness, caused by

deconditioning of the muscles or

other than physical problems and

negative preoccupations about

aging.” Veterinarian Marty Becker

puts it well: “People who have

pets are less harried; there’s more

laughter in their life. When you

come home, it’s like . . . . You’re a

star.” And: “You might lose your job,

your house, your 401(k)—but you’ll

never lose the unconditional love of

your pet.”

A Retirement “Tryout”

by Thomas Gerrity, Publisher

etirement is sometimes defined

in terms of what one is leaving

behind—a career, difficult clients,

job stress, the daily commute, the

grind. But for retirement to be

fully satisfying, according to many

experts, one needs to retire to

something, not just from something.

Defining that “to” and giving

it a tryout is what we mean by

“pretesting” your retirement. Here

are some examples.

Donate your time and expertise.

An attorney acquaintance of ours

spent most of his career as in-house

counsel for a major oil company. As

he approached his retirement years,

he arranged to be allowed to do pro

bono legal work for immigrants. He

found the experience so rewarding

that after he started drawing his oil

company pension, he founded a

law firm specializing in such pro

bono work.

The “soft launch” of a retirement

consultancy. Another acquaintance

thought his years of experience

in the banking business might be

valuable in creating a marketing

consultancy for financial services

firms. Before he retired, this person

tried out some of his ideas with

the advertising agency that his

bank used. Both sides found the

experience valuable, and a basis

was created for the individual’s

new marketing firm. He was able

to have a clear financial path to

follow once his regular full-time

employment ended.

Try a month’s vacation. It would be a

shame to retire to a quiet, secluded

life-style, only to find it boring after

a few months. Many retirees report

that they miss the camaraderie of

their working lives after they retire.

Before deciding upon retirement

relocation, it can be helpful to spend

an extended period of time in the

possible new location, to see what

day-to-day life would be like there.

As you conduct these tryouts, you

should monitor your finances,

noting any adjustments that may be

required. You may find that your

spending needs change or vary from

your expectations, and that may

influence your choice of a retirement

start date.

Testing the water early can head off

unpleasant surprises after one enters

retirement. By then, many decisions

have become irreversible.

anaging a loved one’s healthcare can be taxing and all-consuming, which is why it’s so

important for caregivers to take time for themselves. Waveny’s caregiver relief solutions can

provide seniors and families with the help they need to make the most of everything, together.

Daily:

Take advantage of our vibrant Adult Day Program with free local transportation for daytime

peace of mind.

Overnight: Plan a getaway knowing overnight respite guests with Alzheimer’s and dementia can

stay with us for as short as a week at The Village, our award-winning memory care community.

At Home: Our trusted care can even come to you – whether skilled nurses and therapists,

a live-in aide, or just a helping hand – through Waveny’s home-based services. You can choose

any combination of our services and programs to meet your unique needs and preferences.

Conveniently located in New Canaan, Waveny’s continuum of care flows fluidly within a single

nonprofit organization, without any expensive buy-in fees or long-term commitments. So if

downsizing into a caring and compassionate independent living or memory care community is

something you’re considering, now is the perfect time to sample senior living with a 3-month

trial at The Inn or The Village.

Discover more by dropping by, calling

203.594.5302 or just visiting waveny.org.

ift

aregiver

elief

CALL TODAY!

203-618-4232 or visit nathanielwitherell.org

THE CARE YOU NEED,

CLOSE TO HOME

We’ll help you get back

to the life you love.

SHORT-TERM REHABILITATION

Short-term Rehabilitation

Services

Rehabilitation facilities provide therapy for

individuals recovering from surgery, illness or an

accident. Generally, those needing short-term,

in-patient rehabilitation may remain involved in

their program at a facility for as little as a couple

of days to as long as several weeks or more.

Short-term rehabilitation programs help patients

to achieve their maximum functional capacity and

get back to their homes and community in the

shortest time possible.

Physical therapy is a health care specialty

involved with evaluating, diagnosing and treating

disorders of the musculoskeletal system. The goal

of physical therapy is to restore maximal functional

independence to patients.

Occupational therapy is assessment and

treatment whose goal is to recover and maintain

the daily living and work skills of people with

a physical, mental, or cognitive disorder.

Occupational therapists also focus on identifying

and eliminating environmental barriers to

independence and participation in daily activities.

Speech-language pathologists work to prevent,

assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language,

social communication, cognitive-communication,

and swallowing disorders in children and adults.

Introducing Our NEW

Intensive Stroke Rehabilitation Program

DIRECTED BY

Neurologist: Daryl Story, Physiatrist: Claudio Petrillo

and Pulmonologist: Donald McNichol

A CARING

Place Between

Hospital & Home

76 West Rocks Rd., Norwalk, CT

203.847.5893 • ndhrehab.org

NOTRE DAME

Health and Rehabilitation Center

FORMERLY NOTRE DAME CONVALESCENT HOME

here are many

misconceptions with financial

programs, and the Reverse

Mortgage is no exception. Many

people think that Reverse Mortgage

Loans are extremely complicated, but

the following discussion of myths

and tips will help guide you to make

a decision that is right for you and

your family’s needs as you navigate

through the process. At Atlantic

Home Loans, we make the process as

easy as possible.

Myth 1: The borrower is restricted on

how to use the loan proceeds.

Once any existing mortgage or

lien has been paid off, the net loan

proceeds from your Reverse Mortgage

(also called an HECM loan—Home

Equity Conversion Mortgage) can be

used for any reason. Many borrowers

use it to supplement their retirement

income, delay receiving Social

Security benefits, pay off debt, pay

for medical expenses, remodel their

home, or assist their adult children.

Myth 2: The home must be free of

any existing mortgages.

A large percentage of borrowers use

the reverse mortgage loan to pay off

an existing mortgage and eliminate

other monthly payments.

Myth 3: Once loan proceeds are

received, you pay taxes on them.

Reverse Mortgage loan proceeds

are tax free as they are not

considered income. However, it

is recommended that you consult

your financial advisor and any

government agencies for any

effect on your individual taxes or

government benefits.

Myth 4: The lender owns the home.

You will retain the title and

ownership during the life of the

loan, and you are free to sell your

home or pay down the loan at

any time. The loan is not due

as long as you continue to meet

loan obligations such as living in

this home, maintaining the home

according to the Federal Housing

Administration (FHA) requirements,

and keeping up to date the real

estate taxes and homeowner’s

insurance.

Myth 5: Only those with no

other assets typically need

reverse mortgages.

Quite the contrary. Many affluent

borrowers 62 and older with

million-dollar homes and healthy

retirement assets are using reverse

mortgage loans as part of their estate

planning. Many clients are working

with their financial professionals and

estate attorneys to use the reverse

mortgage as a part of enhancing the

quality and enjoyment of their life

and the lives of those they love.

Call me, Cindy Perham, Reverse

Mortgage Specialist at Atlantic

Home Loans, to see how a Reverse

Mortgage can change your life.

Cindy Perham

Reverse Mortgage Specialist

Atlantic Home Loans

222 Post Road, Suite 2621

Fairfield, CT 06824

(203) 521-0445 mobile

(203) 454-1000, X 2104 office

(203) 413-4423. fax

cperham@atlantichomeloans.com

NMLS #110424

Understanding the Myths and Realities of a Reverse Mortgage

by Cindy Perham,

Reverse Mortgage

Specialist,

Atlantic Home Loans

NEW INCREASED FHA LIMITS for Reverse Mortgages in 2019

• Lower your cost of living during retirement

• Increase your purchasing power

• Eliminate monthly mortgage payments*

• Rightsize to a smaller, lower

maintenance home

• Buy a home closer to family and friends • Enjoy carefree living in a senior housing community

*The borrower will be responsible for paying property charges, including

homeowner

s insurance, taxes, and maintenance of home for the term of the loan.

Please contact me today for mortgage questions, live rate quotes,

or a

everse

ortgage Proposal!

Atlan

LICENSED MORTGAGE BANKERS

Cindy Perham

Reverse Mortgage Specialist

Atlantic Home Loans

222 Post Road, Suite 2621

Fairfield, CT 06824

(203) 521-0445 mobile

(203) 454-1000, X 2104 office

(203) 413-4423. fax

cperham@atlantichomeloans.com

NMLS #11042

here are many

misconceptions with financial

programs, and the Reverse

Mortgage is no exception. Many

people think that Reverse Mortgage

Loans are extremely complicated, but

the following discussion of myths

and tips will help guide you to make

a decision that is right for you and

your family’s needs as you navigate

through the process. At Atlantic

Home Loans, we make the process as

easy as possible.

Myth 1: The borrower is restricted on

how to use the loan proceeds.

Once any existing mortgage or

lien has been paid off, the net loan

proceeds from your Reverse Mortgage

(also called an HECM loan—Home

Equity Conversion Mortgage) can be

used for any reason. Many borrowers

use it to supplement their retirement

income, delay receiving Social

Security benefits, pay off debt, pay

for medical expenses, remodel their

home, or assist their adult children.

Myth 2: The home must be free of

any existing mortgages.

A large percentage of borrowers use

the reverse mortgage loan to pay off

an existing mortgage and eliminate

other monthly payments.

Myth 3: Once loan proceeds are

received, you pay taxes on them.

Reverse Mortgage loan proceeds

are tax free as they are not

considered income. However, it

is recommended that you consult

your financial advisor and any

government agencies for any

effect on your individual taxes or

government benefits.

Myth 4: The lender owns the home.

You will retain the title and

ownership during the life of the

loan, and you are free to sell your

home or pay down the loan at

any time. The loan is not due

as long as you continue to meet

loan obligations such as living in

this home, maintaining the home

according to the Federal Housing

Administration (FHA) requirements,

and keeping up to date the real

estate taxes and homeowner’s

insurance.

Myth 5: Only those with no

other assets typically need

reverse mortgages.

Quite the contrary. Many affluent

borrowers 62 and older with

million-dollar homes and healthy

retirement assets are using reverse

mortgage loans as part of their estate

planning. Many clients are working

with their financial professionals and

estate attorneys to use the reverse

mortgage as a part of enhancing the

quality and enjoyment of their life

and the lives of those they love.

Call me, Cindy Perham, Reverse

Mortgage Specialist at Atlantic

Home Loans, to see how a Reverse

Mortgage can change your life.

Cindy Perham

Reverse Mortgage Specialist

Atlantic Home Loans

222 Post Road, Suite 2621

Fairfield, CT 06824

(203) 521-0445 mobile

(203) 454-1000, X 2104 office

(203) 413-4423. fax

cperham@atlantichomeloans.com

NMLS #110424

Understanding the Myths and Realities of a Reverse Mortgage

by Cindy Perham,

Reverse Mortgage

Specialist,

Atlantic Home Loans

NEW INCREASED FHA LIMITS for Reverse Mortgages in 2019

• Lower your cost of living during retirement

• Increase your purchasing power

• Eliminate monthly mortgage payments*

• Rightsize to a smaller, lower

maintenance home

• Buy a home closer to family and friends • Enjoy carefree living in a senior housing community

*The borrower will be responsible for paying property charges, including

homeowner

s insurance, taxes, and maintenance of home for the term of the loan.

Please contact me today for mortgage questions, live rate quotes,

or a

everse

ortgage Proposal!

Atlan

LICENSED MORTGAGE BANKERS

Cindy Perham

Reverse Mortgage Specialist

Atlantic Home Loans

222 Post Road, Suite 2621

Fairfield, CT 06824

(203) 521-0445 mobile

(203) 454-1000, X 2104 office

(203) 413-4423. fax

cperham@atlantichomeloans.com

NMLS #11042

heers (1982-1993) was one

of the most popular shows

in the history of television.

And one of the show’s most popular

characters was mail carrier Cliff.

John Ratzenberger played Cliff and

received Emmy nominations for his

performance. John didn’t just play

Cliff; he invented the role, which

didn’t exist until John, auditioning

for another role, suggested that

there be a “bar know-it-all” and got

the job by improvising hilariously.

John was born in 1947 in Bridgeport

and raised in Hungarian and Polish

neighborhoods there. He worked

blue-collar jobs until moving to

Britain in the 1970s and beginning

a career in the performing arts,

particularly improvisation. He has

worked in show business, wearing

various “hats” ever since, including

acting in over 40 films. Cheers

was followed by various voice

performances in animated Pixar

features. For the past 20 years or

so, John has been active in many

ways in raising awareness about the

Fairfield County is noted for the number of famous people

born or raised in the area or who chose to make it their

home for significant periods. These celebrities are a very

diverse group. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

by Peter J.O’Connell, Editorial and Research Associate

Celebrities IN THE COUNTY

BRIDGEPORT: JOHN RATZENBERGER

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons

EASTON: DEBRAH FARENTINO

ebrah Farentino was

born in California in

1959 but now lives on—

and loves—a farm in Easton. She

became a model and then began

an acting career in 1982, when she

was cast in the TV series Capital.

She has since appeared in over 50

movies and TV shows, including

NYPD Blue, The Outer Limits,

JAG, CSI: Miami, Hawaii Five o,

Wildfire, and Eureka. Perhaps her

most noted role was as Devon

Adair in the NBC series Earth

2, the first female commander

depicted in a science-fiction work.

Debrah also has produced specials

importance of skilled trades and

engineering disciplines. He also

supports faith-based projects and has

never lost touch with his beloved

Bridgeport roots, though he currently

lives in California with his second

wife. In 2012 he seriously considered

moving back to Connecticut to run

for the U.S. Senate as a Republican.

for CBS, including the acclaimed

Saving America’s Heroes, and

has appeared on CBS News as a

special correspondent, covering

the Guardian Angels’ anti-crime

patrols and Air Force rescue units

in Afghanistan. Additionally, this

talented and resourceful woman

is a trained precision driver, who

can perform auto stunts but says,

“My hobby is science—actually

biology.” Debrah Farentino was

chosen by People Magazine as one

of “The 50 Most Beautiful People

in the World” at a time when she

was pregnant with Sophie, the

second of her two daughters.

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons

McCormick Sturm in 1949, Strum,

Ruger & Company, became

world prominent and the largest

manufacturer of firearms in the

U.S. Historian and biographer R.L.

Wilson writes: “Ruger was a true

firearms genius who mastered the

disciplines of inventing, designing,

engineering, manufacturing and

marketing better than anyone since

Samuel Colt. No one in the 20th

century so clearly dominated the

field, or was so skilled at articulating

the unique appeal of quality firearms

for legitimate uses.” Interestingly,

in the 1980s Bill Ruger became

controversial for advocating a form

of gun control—prohibition of high-

capacity magazines—that has gone

into effect, in some states, including

Connecticut, only in recent years.

In addition to his business activities,

William B. Ruger was a notable

collector of art, antiques, and classic

cars and a supporter of numerous

charities.

FAIRFIELD: WILLIAM B. RUGER

ill Ruger (1916-2002)

was considered a

genius in his field.

His field was firearms, and he lived

in Fairfield, where he located his

company’s headquarters. Born

in Brooklyn, N.Y., Bill acquired

a passion for firearms when his

father gave him the gift of a rifle at

age 12. But Bill had a passion not

simply for possession of firearms

but also for designing them. While

a college student, making drawings

on a relative’s dining room table

and turning an empty room into

a machine shop, he designed a

machine gun that the U.S. Army

liked so much that Bill decided on

a career as a full-time gun designer.

For more than a half-century

thereafter, Bill Ruger helped invent

and patent scores of firearms for

hunting, target shooting, collecting,

self-defense, law enforcement, and

national defense. The company

that he founded with Alexander

SHELTON: ISAAC HULL

ost of the thousands of

motorists who every

day cross Commodore

Isaac Hull Memorial Bridge

connecting Shelton and Derby

probably are not familiar with the

life of the man for whom the bridge

is named. They should be, for he

was a great patriot and national

hero, with a long and storied

military career. As one account

puts it, he made an “immeasurable

contribution to . . . national self-

Photo Source: Pinterest

esteem and the navy’s tradition for

. . . two centuries.” Naming the

bridge between Shelton and Derby

after Isaac Hull is appropriate, for

Isaac was most likely born, in 1773,

in what is now Shelton but was

then still part of the town of Derby.

Isaac always loved his home area

but began going to sea with his

mariner father at the age of 14. By

the age of 19, he was commanding

merchant vessels himself. In 1798

he was commissioned a lieutenant

Photo Source:Wikipedia

heers (1982-1993) was one

of the most popular shows

in the history of television.

And one of the show’s most popular

characters was mail carrier Cliff.

John Ratzenberger played Cliff and

received Emmy nominations for his

performance. John didn’t just play

Cliff; he invented the role, which

didn’t exist until John, auditioning

for another role, suggested that

there be a “bar know-it-all” and got

the job by improvising hilariously.

John was born in 1947 in Bridgeport

and raised in Hungarian and Polish

neighborhoods there. He worked

blue-collar jobs until moving to

Britain in the 1970s and beginning

a career in the performing arts,

particularly improvisation. He has

worked in show business, wearing

various “hats” ever since, including

acting in over 40 films. Cheers

was followed by various voice

performances in animated Pixar

features. For the past 20 years or

so, John has been active in many

ways in raising awareness about the

Fairfield County is noted for the number of famous people

born or raised in the area or who chose to make it their

home for significant periods. These celebrities are a very

diverse group. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

by Peter J.O’Connell, Editorial and Research Associate

Celebrities IN THE COUNTY

BRIDGEPORT: JOHN RATZENBERGER

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons

EASTON: DEBRAH FARENTINO

ebrah Farentino was

born in California in

1959 but now lives on—

and loves—a farm in Easton. She

became a model and then began

an acting career in 1982, when she

was cast in the TV series Capital.

She has since appeared in over 50

movies and TV shows, including

NYPD Blue, The Outer Limits,

JAG, CSI: Miami, Hawaii Five o,

Wildfire, and Eureka. Perhaps her

most noted role was as Devon

Adair in the NBC series Earth

2, the first female commander

depicted in a science-fiction work.

Debrah also has produced specials

importance of skilled trades and

engineering disciplines. He also

supports faith-based projects and has

never lost touch with his beloved

Bridgeport roots, though he currently

lives in California with his second

wife. In 2012 he seriously considered

moving back to Connecticut to run

for the U.S. Senate as a Republican.

for CBS, including the acclaimed

Saving America’s Heroes, and

has appeared on CBS News as a

special correspondent, covering

the Guardian Angels’ anti-crime

patrols and Air Force rescue units

in Afghanistan. Additionally, this

talented and resourceful woman

is a trained precision driver, who

can perform auto stunts but says,

“My hobby is science—actually

biology.” Debrah Farentino was

chosen by People Magazine as one

of “The 50 Most Beautiful People

in the World” at a time when she

was pregnant with Sophie, the

second of her two daughters.

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons

McCormick Sturm in 1949, Strum,

Ruger & Company, became

world prominent and the largest

manufacturer of firearms in the

U.S. Historian and biographer R.L.

Wilson writes: “Ruger was a true

firearms genius who mastered the

disciplines of inventing, designing,

engineering, manufacturing and

marketing better than anyone since

Samuel Colt. No one in the 20th

century so clearly dominated the

field, or was so skilled at articulating

the unique appeal of quality firearms

for legitimate uses.” Interestingly,

in the 1980s Bill Ruger became

controversial for advocating a form

of gun control—prohibition of high-

capacity magazines—that has gone

into effect, in some states, including

Connecticut, only in recent years.

In addition to his business activities,

William B. Ruger was a notable

collector of art, antiques, and classic

cars and a supporter of numerous

charities.

FAIRFIELD: WILLIAM B. RUGER

ill Ruger (1916-2002)

was considered a

genius in his field.

His field was firearms, and he lived

in Fairfield, where he located his

company’s headquarters. Born

in Brooklyn, N.Y., Bill acquired

a passion for firearms when his

father gave him the gift of a rifle at

age 12. But Bill had a passion not

simply for possession of firearms

but also for designing them. While

a college student, making drawings

on a relative’s dining room table

and turning an empty room into

a machine shop, he designed a

machine gun that the U.S. Army

liked so much that Bill decided on

a career as a full-time gun designer.

For more than a half-century

thereafter, Bill Ruger helped invent

and patent scores of firearms for

hunting, target shooting, collecting,

self-defense, law enforcement, and

national defense. The company

that he founded with Alexander

SHELTON: ISAAC HULL

ost of the thousands of

motorists who every

day cross Commodore

Isaac Hull Memorial Bridge

connecting Shelton and Derby

probably are not familiar with the

life of the man for whom the bridge

is named. They should be, for he

was a great patriot and national

hero, with a long and storied

military career. As one account

puts it, he made an “immeasurable

contribution to . . . national self-

Photo Source: Pinterest

esteem and the navy’s tradition for

. . . two centuries.” Naming the

bridge between Shelton and Derby

after Isaac Hull is appropriate, for

Isaac was most likely born, in 1773,

in what is now Shelton but was

then still part of the town of Derby.

Isaac always loved his home area

but began going to sea with his

mariner father at the age of 14. By

the age of 19, he was commanding

merchant vessels himself. In 1798

he was commissioned a lieutenant

Photo Source:Wikipedia

Continued on page 26

from Connecticut were soon put

to the test when the War of 1812

began. In July of that year, the

Constitution made a daring escape

from five pursuing British ships.

The escape took 64 hours with

the enemy vessels in sight at all

times. Captain Hull at times even

used longboats, which his sailors

rowed, to tow the Constitution.

A month later the Constitution

encountered HMS Guerriere,

and a fierce, classic battle at sea

ensued. It was from this battle

that the Constitution acquired the

memorable name “Old Ironsides,”

for cannonballs bounced off some

in the newly formed United States

Navy and distinguished himself

during the troubles with France

at that time known as the Quasi-

War and in the conflicts with the

Barbary States of North Africa in the

first years of the 19th century. By

1806 Isaac had become a captain.

In 1810 he assumed command of

the heavy frigate USS Constitution.

There were disciplinary problems

in the service at that time. But

according to one historian, Isaac

Hull was perhaps the “most popular

captain in the service” and the

“greatest all-round seaman in the

navy.” The skills of the captain

of the hard planks from which

the ship was constructed. The

battle ended with a great morale-

boosting victory for the Americans.

The Secretary of the Navy wrote

Captain Hull: “In this action we

know not most to applaud, your

gallantry or your skill. You and

your crew are entitled to and will

receive the applause and gratitude

of your grateful country.” And

they did. After the war Isaac Hull

continued to serve his country

as Commandant of various Navy

Yards and Commodore of the

Mediterranean Squadron. He died

in 1843.

arvey Hubbell II, born

in 1857 to a family with

Trumbull roots, is an

outstanding example of a classic

American type. He was a “tinkerer,”

who, always looking to make things

more convenient and efficient,

steadily moved from invention to

invention, enterprise to enterprise,

until he eventually became—like his

contemporaries Edison, Ford, and

Westinghouse—one of the country’s

major industrialists, contributing

both to new product design and

manufacturing innovation. Harvey’s

first work experience was with

manufacturers of marine engines

and printing machinery, but he

resigned as manager at one of these

firms in 1888 and opened his own

manufacturing facility in Bridgeport.

There and at successively larger

facilities that he soon established,

he began to design and patent such

items as a paper roll holder, tapping

machines, blanking and framing

dies, and machinery for making

TRUMBULL: HARVEY HUBBELL II

screws and small parts. Harvey soon

turned his attention to new ways

to utilize and control electricity.

It is said that his interest in these

new ways was spurred by a walk

through New York City in which

he observed the problems that a

janitor in an arcade was having

in dealing with some electrical

games. In 1896 Harvey patented the

now-familiar on/off pull chain for

electrical devices. Seemingly simple,

it was actually a major innovation.

Another such major electrical

innovation came in 1904: separable

plugs in different configurations on

a single flush-mounted receptacle.

More new products soon followed:

cartridge fuses and the fuse block,

lamp solders, key sockets, etc.,

etc. Eventually, Harvey patented at

least 45 inventions. His company

offered 63 electrical products in

1901 and a thousand in 1917. In

1905 the company took the name

that it holds today, Harvey Hubbell,

Incorporated. By the time that

Harvey Hubbell II died in 1927, he

and his corporation had become

key to the spread of electrical

power throughout the U.S. The

corporation, run by Harvey’s son

for many years, is now a massive

and diverse one, headquartered in

Shelton and operating worldwide.

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons

in many of the “anthology series” of

the early years of TV. She made her

Broadway debut in 1957. Around that

time she fell in love with Stratford,

while playing leading roles at the

American Shakespeare Festival

Theatre there. Roles in a number of

movies and TV series kept coming

along over the years. But none had

as great an impact as her memorable

performances as the patrician

newspaper publisher, Mrs. Pynchon,

in the long-running TV series Lou

Grant in the 1970s and ’80s and as

the murderous “Mafia mom,” Livia, in

The Sopranos series in the late 1990s.

Nancy and Paul lived their last years

in a house in the Lordship section of

Stratford. Nancy Marchand died in

2000, a day before her 72nd birthday,

and a few months after her beloved

husband’s death.

istinguished character

actress Nancy Marchand

ruled her roles with great

talent. And her roles often were those

of women who “ruled”—savvy and

imperious authority figures such

as newspaper publishers, queens,

grande dames, even a madam and

a mob matriarch. Her distinctive

physical presence, which she once

described as a “strange combination

of being very imposing and down-

to-earth,” helped her have success

playing such characters. And that

success came to her both on and

off Broadway, in regional theater,

and in films and television. For her

achievements she was inducted into

the American Theatre Hall of Fame

and received numerous awards and

award nominations. Her journey to

fame began in Buffalo, New York,

where she was born in 1928. After

graduating from Carnegie Institute in

1949, she met and married actor Paul

Sparer, while both were performing

in productions of Shakespeare and

Shaw in Boston. The couple had

three children and remained married

until Paul’s death in 1999. After

marrying, Nancy and Paul moved

to New York, and Nancy appeared

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons

MONROE: ED AND LORRAINE WARREN

“W

ho ya gonna call?” If

bothered by ghosts,

demons, poltergeists,

or other such paranormal pests, the

answer for many people for many

years was not the comical eponymous

“Ghostbusters” of the 1980s hit

movie referenced in that line from

its catchy theme song. It was Ed and

Lorraine Warren, once described

as “essentially ordinary people who

happen to do highly extraordinary

work.” That extraordinary work

was as paranormal investigators and

author/lecturers associated with

some of the most notorious cases of

alleged hauntings and possessions,

including: the Annabelle Higgins

case about a possessed doll; the

“Amityville Horror” case; the

Snedeker case about demons infesting

a Connecticut home. Reports by

the Warrens about their cases have

inspired dozens of films, TV shows,

and books. There have been 17 films

in the “Amityville Horror” series

alone. The Warrens carried out

much of their work in conjunction

with the New England Society for

Psychic Research (NESPR), which

Ed and Lorraine founded in 1952. It

is the oldest “ghost hunting” group

in New England. Ed and Lorraine’s

own story is a love story, not a

horror story. They met in 1943 in a

Bridgeport movie theatre, where Ed

was an usher. Lorraine was a student

at Lauralton Hall in Milford. They

married two years later, while Ed was

in the Navy. Ed always said that he

was raised in a haunted house until

the age of 12. But he and Lorraine did

not begin their career as investigators

of the “dark side” until the 1950s,

when Ed, an artist, began selling

drawings of houses believed to be

haunted. The Warrens always said that

they used science in their work, and

that criticism of their claims is based

on an inadequate understanding of

the truths of religion. Ed passed away

in 2006 at the age of 79, and Lorraine

(born in 1927) has now retired from

active investigations but presides over

the Occult Museum in the Warrens’

longtime home in Monroe. Son-in-law

Tony Spera carries on Ed and Lorraine

Warren’s work.

Photo Source: Pinterest

STRATFORD: NANCY MARCHAND

Continued from page 25

from Connecticut were soon put

to the test when the War of 1812

began. In July of that year, the

Constitution made a daring escape

from five pursuing British ships.

The escape took 64 hours with

the enemy vessels in sight at all

times. Captain Hull at times even

used longboats, which his sailors

rowed, to tow the Constitution.

A month later the Constitution

encountered HMS Guerriere,

and a fierce, classic battle at sea

ensued. It was from this battle

that the Constitution acquired the

memorable name “Old Ironsides,”

for cannonballs bounced off some

in the newly formed United States

Navy and distinguished himself

during the troubles with France

at that time known as the Quasi-

War and in the conflicts with the

Barbary States of North Africa in the

first years of the 19th century. By

1806 Isaac had become a captain.

In 1810 he assumed command of

the heavy frigate USS Constitution.

There were disciplinary problems

in the service at that time. But

according to one historian, Isaac

Hull was perhaps the “most popular

captain in the service” and the

“greatest all-round seaman in the

navy.” The skills of the captain

of the hard planks from which

the ship was constructed. The

battle ended with a great morale-

boosting victory for the Americans.

The Secretary of the Navy wrote

Captain Hull: “In this action we

know not most to applaud, your

gallantry or your skill. You and

your crew are entitled to and will

receive the applause and gratitude

of your grateful country.” And

they did. After the war Isaac Hull

continued to serve his country

as Commandant of various Navy

Yards and Commodore of the

Mediterranean Squadron. He died

in 1843.

arvey Hubbell II, born

in 1857 to a family with

Trumbull roots, is an

outstanding example of a classic

American type. He was a “tinkerer,”

who, always looking to make things

more convenient and efficient,

steadily moved from invention to

invention, enterprise to enterprise,

until he eventually became—like his

contemporaries Edison, Ford, and

Westinghouse—one of the country’s

major industrialists, contributing

both to new product design and

manufacturing innovation. Harvey’s

first work experience was with

manufacturers of marine engines

and printing machinery, but he

resigned as manager at one of these

firms in 1888 and opened his own

manufacturing facility in Bridgeport.

There and at successively larger

facilities that he soon established,

he began to design and patent such

items as a paper roll holder, tapping

machines, blanking and framing

dies, and machinery for making

TRUMBULL: HARVEY HUBBELL II

screws and small parts. Harvey soon

turned his attention to new ways

to utilize and control electricity.

It is said that his interest in these

new ways was spurred by a walk

through New York City in which

he observed the problems that a

janitor in an arcade was having

in dealing with some electrical

games. In 1896 Harvey patented the

now-familiar on/off pull chain for

electrical devices. Seemingly simple,

it was actually a major innovation.

Another such major electrical

innovation came in 1904: separable

plugs in different configurations on

a single flush-mounted receptacle.

More new products soon followed:

cartridge fuses and the fuse block,

lamp solders, key sockets, etc.,

etc. Eventually, Harvey patented at

least 45 inventions. His company

offered 63 electrical products in

1901 and a thousand in 1917. In

1905 the company took the name

that it holds today, Harvey Hubbell,

Incorporated. By the time that

Harvey Hubbell II died in 1927, he

and his corporation had become

key to the spread of electrical

power throughout the U.S. The

corporation, run by Harvey’s son

for many years, is now a massive

and diverse one, headquartered in

Shelton and operating worldwide.

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons

in many of the “anthology series” of

the early years of TV. She made her

Broadway debut in 1957. Around that

time she fell in love with Stratford,

while playing leading roles at the

American Shakespeare Festival

Theatre there. Roles in a number of

movies and TV series kept coming

along over the years. But none had

as great an impact as her memorable

performances as the patrician

newspaper publisher, Mrs. Pynchon,

in the long-running TV series Lou

Grant in the 1970s and ’80s and as

the murderous “Mafia mom,” Livia, in

The Sopranos series in the late 1990s.

Nancy and Paul lived their last years

in a house in the Lordship section of

Stratford. Nancy Marchand died in

2000, a day before her 72nd birthday,

and a few months after her beloved

husband’s death.

istinguished character

actress Nancy Marchand

ruled her roles with great

talent. And her roles often were those

of women who “ruled”—savvy and

imperious authority figures such

as newspaper publishers, queens,

grande dames, even a madam and

a mob matriarch. Her distinctive

physical presence, which she once

described as a “strange combination

of being very imposing and down-

to-earth,” helped her have success

playing such characters. And that

success came to her both on and

off Broadway, in regional theater,

and in films and television. For her

achievements she was inducted into

the American Theatre Hall of Fame

and received numerous awards and

award nominations. Her journey to

fame began in Buffalo, New York,

where she was born in 1928. After

graduating from Carnegie Institute in

1949, she met and married actor Paul

Sparer, while both were performing

in productions of Shakespeare and

Shaw in Boston. The couple had

three children and remained married

until Paul’s death in 1999. After

marrying, Nancy and Paul moved

to New York, and Nancy appeared

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons

MONROE: ED AND LORRAINE WARREN

“W

ho ya gonna call?” If

bothered by ghosts,

demons, poltergeists,

or other such paranormal pests, the

answer for many people for many

years was not the comical eponymous

“Ghostbusters” of the 1980s hit

movie referenced in that line from

its catchy theme song. It was Ed and

Lorraine Warren, once described

as “essentially ordinary people who

happen to do highly extraordinary

work.” That extraordinary work

was as paranormal investigators and

author/lecturers associated with

some of the most notorious cases of

alleged hauntings and possessions,

including: the Annabelle Higgins

case about a possessed doll; the

“Amityville Horror” case; the

Snedeker case about demons infesting

a Connecticut home. Reports by

the Warrens about their cases have

inspired dozens of films, TV shows,

and books. There have been 17 films

in the “Amityville Horror” series

alone. The Warrens carried out

much of their work in conjunction

with the New England Society for

Psychic Research (NESPR), which

Ed and Lorraine founded in 1952. It

is the oldest “ghost hunting” group

in New England. Ed and Lorraine’s

own story is a love story, not a

horror story. They met in 1943 in a

Bridgeport movie theatre, where Ed

was an usher. Lorraine was a student

at Lauralton Hall in Milford. They

married two years later, while Ed was

in the Navy. Ed always said that he

was raised in a haunted house until

the age of 12. But he and Lorraine did

not begin their career as investigators

of the “dark side” until the 1950s,

when Ed, an artist, began selling

drawings of houses believed to be

haunted. The Warrens always said that

they used science in their work, and

that criticism of their claims is based

on an inadequate understanding of

the truths of religion. Ed passed away

in 2006 at the age of 79, and Lorraine

(born in 1927) has now retired from

active investigations but presides over

the Occult Museum in the Warrens’

longtime home in Monroe. Son-in-law

Tony Spera carries on Ed and Lorraine

Warren’s work.

Photo Source: Pinterest

STRATFORD: NANCY MARCHAND

and one in ten to age

95. You may calculate your

own life expectancy with

the calculator found at

https://www.ssa.gov/planners/

lifeexpectancy.html.

How much will

you need?

Developing a realistic retirement

budget is an important exercise,

one that requires an examination of

values as much as resources. Some

people enjoy living rather modestly

during retirement. But one retiree we

know says, “Life is too short to drink

cheap wine.” The retirement budget

needs to be understood from three

perspectives.

Essential versus discretionary

spending. Which expenditures could

be curtailed, even eliminated, in the

event of financial reversals? Food

is essential; restaurant dining is not.

Is there room in the budget

for savings?

Structural versus peripheral expenses.

Some costs are binding, not subject

to modification, and failure to meet

them means a structural change in

retirement. If you own real property,

you must pay the taxes. If you have

a mortgage, you must make the

payments. If you own a car, you

have to pay for routine maintenance.

Trips, vacations, and gifts, in

contrast, are peripheral expenses.

Fixed versus inflation-prone costs.

Inflation has been very mild in

recent years, but this may not

be a permanent condition. Most

retirement expenses are vulnerable

to inflation, while retirement income

generally is fixed. The response to

inflation may include cutting back

on optional purchases or substituting

less expensive items for those that

become unaffordable.

Understand also that long, modern

retirements typically include three

phases:

•

active retirement, filled with travel

and pursuit of deferred dreams;

•

passive retirement, typically

beginning in the mid-70s, when

activities are gradually reduced; and

•

final retirement, a period often

marked by failing health and a need

for long-term care.

A different retirement budget applies

to each of these three periods.

he latest news on

retirement preparedness

is not encouraging. An

estimated 40% of households

headed by people aged 55 through

70 are unlikely to have sufficient

resources to maintain their standard

of living, according to a Wall Street

Journal analysis. The median 401(k)

account balance for this group is just

$135,000, which might be enough

for a $600 per month joint life

annuity for a couple aged 65 and 62.

More troubling, the debt for this

cohort is on the rise. New York

Federal Reserve data indicate that

those aged 60 through 69 had about

$2 trillion in total debt, an 11%

increase since 2004. Car loan debt

was up 25%, and student loan debt

increased by a factor of 6!

More and more people will have to

work longer to achieve the level of

financial independence necessary for

retirement security.

How long should you plan for?

At the same time, life expectancies

are improving, and that raises

the financial stakes still further.

According to the Social Security

Administration, men who turned

65 in 2018 will, on average, live to

age 84.3, and women to age 86.7.

Many retirements will last for 25

or 30 years. About one in four of

those now 65 will live to age 90,

Avoid Retirement

Surprises

by James B. Gust, Senior Editor, Merrill Anderson Company

Holographic Wills

by Thomas Gerrity, Publisher

ecause a will is a vitally

important document, one

that controls the disposition

of property interests and may have

significant tax consequences as

well, the requirements for the valid

execution are formal. The specifics

vary from state to state, but in general

two witnesses and the signature of the

testator are required, as well as the

date of execution.

In many states an exception to these

formalities is provided for an entirely

handwritten will, known in legal

circles as a holographic will. Again,

the rules vary from state to state, but

a signature and a clear expression of

testamentary intentions are normally

essential. Traditionally, the entire

document must be in the testator’s

handwriting, but witnesses are

not required.

A will that is created by filling in the

blanks on a preprinted form is in a

gray area. Arguably, the testator’s

handwriting has been used for the

most important parts of the will, but

probate courts are more comfortable

if such do-it-yourself efforts are

witnessed.

A will on a phone?

A recent case from Michigan put a

new light on these issues.

Duane Horton, age 21, was a trust

beneficiary and in the care of a

conservator. In his journal Duane

wrote: “I am truly sorry about this.

. . . My final note, my farewell is on

my phone. The app should be open.

If not look on evernote, ‘Last Note.’ ”

Duane then killed himself.

The “Last Note” was an electronic

file containing apologies, religious

thoughts, messages to specific

individuals, typos, and the following

paragraph:

“Have my uncle go through my stuff,

pick out the stuff that belonged to

my dad and/or grandma, and take

it. If there is something he doesn’t

want, feel free to keep it and do with

it what you will. My guns (aside

from the shotgun that belonged to

my dad) are your’s to do with what

you will. Make sure my car goes

to Jody if at all possible. If at all

possible, make sure that my trust

fund goes to my half sister Shella,

and only her. Not my mother. All of

my other stuff is you’re do whatever

you want with. I do ask that

anything you well, you give 10% of

the money to the church, 50% to my

sister Shella, and the remaining 40% is

your’s to do whatever you want with.”

The note had Duane’s full name typed

at the end. The conservator offered

the journal entry and the note as

Duane’s last will and testament, even

though it did not meet the statutory

requirements for either a formal will

or a holographic will. Duane’s mother

opposed the acceptance of these

documents. If they were rejected, the

mother would inherit the entire estate

under the laws of intestacy, as Duane

had no other heirs.

The probate court found that under

Michigan law, there was clear and

convincing evidence that Duane

intended the electronic document

to communicate his testamentary

intentions. It was accepted as his will,

so the mother lost out. The Michigan

Court of Appeals recently affirmed

that decision.

Consequences

Estate planners have expressed concern

about what this decision may mean

for the executors of future estates.

Will the executor now have a duty to

go through a decedent’s papers and

electronic files in search of documents

that might constitute a will? What if

an individual who already has a will

creates a handwritten “amendment,”

altering the dispositive provisions?

What if such a handwritten note

were the result of undue influence

or a delusion?

Uncertainty about testamentary

intentions is what sometimes causes

probate to become prolonged. The best

way to be confident that one’s estate

plans will be implemented without

undue delay is to obtain the services

of an experienced estate planning

attorney for the drafting and execution

of one’s last will and testament.

and one in ten to age

95. You may calculate your

own life expectancy with

the calculator found at

https://www.ssa.gov/planners/

lifeexpectancy.html.

How much will

you need?

Developing a realistic retirement

budget is an important exercise,

one that requires an examination of

values as much as resources. Some

people enjoy living rather modestly

during retirement. But one retiree we

know says, “Life is too short to drink

cheap wine.” The retirement budget

needs to be understood from three

perspectives.

Essential versus discretionary

spending. Which expenditures could

be curtailed, even eliminated, in the

event of financial reversals? Food

is essential; restaurant dining is not.

Is there room in the budget

for savings?

Structural versus peripheral expenses.

Some costs are binding, not subject

to modification, and failure to meet

them means a structural change in

retirement. If you own real property,

you must pay the taxes. If you have

a mortgage, you must make the

payments. If you own a car, you

have to pay for routine maintenance.

Trips, vacations, and gifts, in

contrast, are peripheral expenses.

Fixed versus inflation-prone costs.

Inflation has been very mild in

recent years, but this may not

be a permanent condition. Most

retirement expenses are vulnerable

to inflation, while retirement income

generally is fixed. The response to

inflation may include cutting back

on optional purchases or substituting

less expensive items for those that

become unaffordable.

Understand also that long, modern

retirements typically include three

phases:

•

active retirement, filled with travel

and pursuit of deferred dreams;

•

passive retirement, typically

beginning in the mid-70s, when

activities are gradually reduced; and

•

final retirement, a period often

marked by failing health and a need

for long-term care.

A different retirement budget applies

to each of these three periods.

he latest news on

retirement preparedness

is not encouraging. An

estimated 40% of households

headed by people aged 55 through

70 are unlikely to have sufficient

resources to maintain their standard

of living, according to a Wall Street

Journal analysis. The median 401(k)

account balance for this group is just

$135,000, which might be enough

for a $600 per month joint life

annuity for a couple aged 65 and 62.

More troubling, the debt for this

cohort is on the rise. New York

Federal Reserve data indicate that

those aged 60 through 69 had about

$2 trillion in total debt, an 11%

increase since 2004. Car loan debt

was up 25%, and student loan debt

increased by a factor of 6!

More and more people will have to

work longer to achieve the level of

financial independence necessary for

retirement security.

How long should you plan for?

At the same time, life expectancies

are improving, and that raises

the financial stakes still further.

According to the Social Security

Administration, men who turned

65 in 2018 will, on average, live to

age 84.3, and women to age 86.7.

Many retirements will last for 25

or 30 years. About one in four of

those now 65 will live to age 90,

Avoid Retirement

Surprises

by James B. Gust, Senior Editor, Merrill Anderson Company

ore than 400,000 long-

term-care insurance

policies were sold in

1992, according to figures published

by The Wall Street Journal. These are

the policies that help seniors cover

the costs of nursing home stays

at the end of life. At least 400,000

additional policies were purchased

each year in the subsequent ten

years, peaking at about 750,000

in 2002.

Then sales collapsed, and never

again reached the 400,000 level. Last

year, reportedly only 66,000 such

policies were sold. The need for

long-term-care insurance has never

been greater. What happened to

the market?

A New Kind of Long-Term-Care Insurance

by Thomas Gerrity, Publisher

Actuarial errors

A series of actuarial errors were

made when long-term-care insurance

was first introduced. The most

important of these was the “lapse

rate,” the number of policies that

will be terminated without ever

paying a benefit. This occurs

either because the insured stops

paying premiums or the insured

dies without making a claim. The

actuaries chose a fairly conservative

lapse rate of 5%. At that rate, if

1,000 policies were sold in year one,

only 400 would be in force 20 years

later. As it turned out, the buyers of

long-term-care insurance thought

of their purchase as an investment,

not as insurance, and so the lapse

experience was closer to 1%, which

implies that 800 of every 1,000

policies still will be in force after 20

years. That led to far higher payouts

than projected.

Two more errors compounded the

damage. The first is that medical

advances have lengthened life

expectancies, which, in turn,

increases the likelihood of making

a claim on a long-term-care

insurance policy. The second is that

the actuaries generally assumed a

7% rate of return on the invested

premiums on these policies. That

assumption was fine in the 1990s,

but interest rates have been at

historic lows since 2008.

Hybrid insurance

The new approach in this area

combines life insurance with long-

term-care insurance. An estimated

260,000 such policies were sold last

year. There is wide variation among

such policies, but they may offer:

• a death benefit;

• guaranteed level premiums;

• a return of premium feature should

the buyer have a change of heart;

• fully paid-up insurance after

10 years.

When the product offers more,

it will cost more. In an example

published recently in The Wall Street

Journal, coverage for a couple in

their mid-50s came to over $32,000

per year for 10 years, a total of

$320,000. That compares to some

$8,500 per year for a traditional

long-term policy, in which the

premiums must continue to be

paid. After 30 years, the traditional

policy will require $255,000 in total

premiums, assuming no premium

increases, so the disparity is not as

large as it may at first appear.

What’s more, the minimum death

benefit of the hybrid policy was

$180,000 per spouse, which will be

larger than the total premiums paid.

Still, the hybrid policy requires most

of the premium payment early. For

this couple, the policy will be paid

up when they are in their mid-60s,

and they may well not make a claim

for another 20 years. Such coverage

will be most attractive for individuals

with high current income, sufficient

to comfortably cover the premiums,

who wish to protect a large estate

from being eroded by private nursing

home costs. Maximum coverage in

the illustration was $1,371,891

per spouse.

Look to the future

If you already have a long-term-care

policy, you probably want to hang

on to it. For the most part, those

who have purchased these policies

have profited from them.

Planning is necessary. Despite

the price increases, long-term-

care insurance will prove to be an

important part of that plan for many

affluent families.

SHORT TAKES

A Tax Break for the Elderly—With Strings

by James B. Gust, Senior Editor, Merrill Anderson Company

Many cities and towns offer some tax

relief for their elderly citizens. There

may be some generosity behind the

offer, or it may be part of an attempt

to compete with lower-tax states for

retiree citizens. That competition may

heat up now that the state and local

tax deduction is limited to $10,000.

The tax relief takes different forms

around the country:

• tax credits that phase out at

higher income levels;

• homestead exemptions to lower

property taxes;

• freezes on assessed valuations; or

• property taxes deferred until

death, payable when the home

is sold.

Deferred property taxes may

include interest charges, as in a

recent Massachusetts case.

Frances Arntz filed for property

tax deferral on her home in 1989,

when she was 76 years old. Her

son suspects that she mistook

“deferral” for “forgiveness,” and did

not understand that the tax would

eventually have to be paid, because

she had the financial resources to pay

the tax. Frances never told anyone

what she had done.

Frances moved out of the home in

2008, so the deferrals ended. Her

son began to rent the home, and he

took charge of paying the property

tax every year. The tax bills included a

notation at the bottom: “Prior tax bills

outstanding.” Unfortunately the son

overlooked that warning.

When Frances died in 2018, her

children expected to inherit the house

free and clear, as the mortgage had

been paid long ago. Instead, they

received a property tax bill from the

town for $170,000. Some $50,000

was for the deferred taxes, the rest

was interest that had been charged

at 8%. About $70,000 of the interest

was incurred after 2008, from the

time Frances moved out until

she died.

The heirs are understandably upset

that the town didn’t warn them about

the tax time bomb. But the town did

follow the letter of the law, and in

fact had that notice on the bottom of

every tax bill. The notice just didn’t

spell out how big the bomb was, or

the interest that was running.

Financial discussions between

elderly parents and their adult children

can be difficult, even emotional. But

they are very important to have.

Money and Satisfaction

Lotteries have become enormously

popular in the United States. There is

a widespread perception that many

lottery winners burn through their

newfound wealth rather quickly, and

don’t end up better off in the long run.

Swedish researchers have examined

this question more rigorously, in a

manner akin to a randomized test of a

drug’s efficacy. They surveyed winners

of major prizes in the Swedish lottery

as well as minor winners and lottery

players who did not win, a total of

3,362 players. The surveys were taken

from five to 22 years after the event.

The findings are interesting.

• Lottery winners were significantly

more satisfied with their lives, and that

extra satisfaction lasted for decades.

• Those who won hundreds of

thousands were measurably more

satisfied than those who won tens

of thousands.

• The winners did not rapidly spend

their winnings, and did not quit their

jobs. They did tend to retire earlier.

• Oddly, the researchers found

that winning the lottery did not affect

happiness. It is thought that questions

about happiness go to mood or

feelings, while questions on life

satisfaction trigger more broadly

based introspection.

• Winning the lottery had no

discernable effect on physical or

mental health of the winners or

their children.

So, although money can’t buy

happiness, it can—at least in Sweden—

buy satisfaction.

ore than 400,000 long-

term-care insurance

policies were sold in

1992, according to figures published

by The Wall Street Journal. These are

the policies that help seniors cover

the costs of nursing home stays

at the end of life. At least 400,000

additional policies were purchased

each year in the subsequent ten

years, peaking at about 750,000

in 2002.

Then sales collapsed, and never

again reached the 400,000 level. Last

year, reportedly only 66,000 such

policies were sold. The need for

long-term-care insurance has never

been greater. What happened to

the market?

A New Kind of Long-Term-Care Insurance

by Thomas Gerrity, Publisher

Actuarial errors

A series of actuarial errors were

made when long-term-care insurance

was first introduced. The most

important of these was the “lapse

rate,” the number of policies that

will be terminated without ever

paying a benefit. This occurs

either because the insured stops

paying premiums or the insured

dies without making a claim. The

actuaries chose a fairly conservative

lapse rate of 5%. At that rate, if

1,000 policies were sold in year one,

only 400 would be in force 20 years

later. As it turned out, the buyers of

long-term-care insurance thought

of their purchase as an investment,

not as insurance, and so the lapse

experience was closer to 1%, which

implies that 800 of every 1,000

policies still will be in force after 20

years. That led to far higher payouts

than projected.

Two more errors compounded the

damage. The first is that medical

advances have lengthened life

expectancies, which, in turn,

increases the likelihood of making

a claim on a long-term-care

insurance policy. The second is that

the actuaries generally assumed a

7% rate of return on the invested

premiums on these policies. That

assumption was fine in the 1990s,

but interest rates have been at

historic lows since 2008.

Hybrid insurance

The new approach in this area

combines life insurance with long-

term-care insurance. An estimated

260,000 such policies were sold last

year. There is wide variation among

such policies, but they may offer:

• a death benefit;

• guaranteed level premiums;

• a return of premium feature should

the buyer have a change of heart;

• fully paid-up insurance after

10 years.

When the product offers more,

it will cost more. In an example

published recently in The Wall Street

Journal, coverage for a couple in

their mid-50s came to over $32,000

per year for 10 years, a total of

$320,000. That compares to some

$8,500 per year for a traditional

long-term policy, in which the

premiums must continue to be

paid. After 30 years, the traditional

policy will require $255,000 in total

premiums, assuming no premium

increases, so the disparity is not as

large as it may at first appear.

What’s more, the minimum death

benefit of the hybrid policy was

$180,000 per spouse, which will be

larger than the total premiums paid.

Still, the hybrid policy requires most

of the premium payment early. For

this couple, the policy will be paid

up when they are in their mid-60s,

and they may well not make a claim

for another 20 years. Such coverage

will be most attractive for individuals

with high current income, sufficient

to comfortably cover the premiums,

who wish to protect a large estate

from being eroded by private nursing

home costs. Maximum coverage in

the illustration was $1,371,891

per spouse.

Look to the future

If you already have a long-term-care

policy, you probably want to hang

on to it. For the most part, those

who have purchased these policies

have profited from them.

Planning is necessary. Despite

the price increases, long-term-

care insurance will prove to be an

important part of that plan for many

affluent families.

SHORT TAKES

A Tax Break for the Elderly—With Strings

by James B. Gust, Senior Editor, Merrill Anderson Company

Many cities and towns offer some tax

relief for their elderly citizens. There

may be some generosity behind the

offer, or it may be part of an attempt

to compete with lower-tax states for

retiree citizens. That competition may

heat up now that the state and local

tax deduction is limited to $10,000.

The tax relief takes different forms

around the country:

• tax credits that phase out at

higher income levels;

• homestead exemptions to lower

property taxes;

• freezes on assessed valuations; or

• property taxes deferred until

death, payable when the home

is sold.

Deferred property taxes may

include interest charges, as in a

recent Massachusetts case.

Frances Arntz filed for property

tax deferral on her home in 1989,

when she was 76 years old. Her

son suspects that she mistook

“deferral” for “forgiveness,” and did

not understand that the tax would

eventually have to be paid, because

she had the financial resources to pay

the tax. Frances never told anyone

what she had done.

Frances moved out of the home in

2008, so the deferrals ended. Her

son began to rent the home, and he

took charge of paying the property

tax every year. The tax bills included a

notation at the bottom: “Prior tax bills

outstanding.” Unfortunately the son

overlooked that warning.

When Frances died in 2018, her

children expected to inherit the house

free and clear, as the mortgage had

been paid long ago. Instead, they

received a property tax bill from the

town for $170,000. Some $50,000

was for the deferred taxes, the rest

was interest that had been charged

at 8%. About $70,000 of the interest

was incurred after 2008, from the

time Frances moved out until

she died.

The heirs are understandably upset

that the town didn’t warn them about

the tax time bomb. But the town did

follow the letter of the law, and in

fact had that notice on the bottom of

every tax bill. The notice just didn’t

spell out how big the bomb was, or

the interest that was running.

Financial discussions between

elderly parents and their adult children

can be difficult, even emotional. But

they are very important to have.

Money and Satisfaction

Lotteries have become enormously

popular in the United States. There is

a widespread perception that many

lottery winners burn through their

newfound wealth rather quickly, and

don’t end up better off in the long run.

Swedish researchers have examined

this question more rigorously, in a

manner akin to a randomized test of a

drug’s efficacy. They surveyed winners

of major prizes in the Swedish lottery

as well as minor winners and lottery

players who did not win, a total of

3,362 players. The surveys were taken

from five to 22 years after the event.

The findings are interesting.

• Lottery winners were significantly

more satisfied with their lives, and that

extra satisfaction lasted for decades.

• Those who won hundreds of

thousands were measurably more

satisfied than those who won tens

of thousands.

• The winners did not rapidly spend

their winnings, and did not quit their

jobs. They did tend to retire earlier.

• Oddly, the researchers found

that winning the lottery did not affect

happiness. It is thought that questions

about happiness go to mood or

feelings, while questions on life

satisfaction trigger more broadly

based introspection.

• Winning the lottery had no

discernable effect on physical or

mental health of the winners or

their children.

So, although money can’t buy

happiness, it can—at least in Sweden—

buy satisfaction.

Estate Plan Essentials

surprising number of people have not

yet attended to their estate planning.

Perhaps this is because estate planning

has become so much more complicated in recent

years, even though the burden of taxes at death has

been in decline. Estate planning now usually covers

medical and financial decisions before the end of

life, as well as after death.

HERE ARE THE DOCUMENTS THAT WILL BE

DRAFTED FOR MANY ESTATE PLANS TODAY.

Document What it does

FINANCIAL:

Will

Identifies beneficiaries. May establish one or

more trusts for ongoing asset management.

Nominates the person or organization to be

responsible for estate settlement.

Power of attorney

Delegates authority to an agent to make

financial decisions. The agent’s authority ends

when the principal is incapacitated.

Durable power of attorney

Delegates financial decision power to an

agent, even if the principal is incapacitated. In

some cases, the power “springs” into being

upon incapacity or other identified event.

Revocable living trust

Transfers assets and full financial manage

ment authority to a trustee. The trust may

continue into incapacity, even beyond the

death of the trustor.

MEDICAL:

Power of attorney for

health care (sometimes

called a health care proxy)

Identifies an individual to make medical

decisions when one is unconscious or

incapacitated.

Living will

Provides guidelines for medical decisions

when an individual becomes terminally ill,

such as whether feeding tubes or ventilators

should be used to prolong life.

Do not resuscitate order

(DNR)

Specifically requests that cardiopulmonary

resuscitation not be used if one’s heart or

breathing stops.

Source: Merrill Anderson Company

ts name is amusing, and its

current growth in popularity is

phenomenal. It’s pickleball.

It’s fun for all, and it’s very good

for seniors.

Pickleball is a sport created in 1965

in the state of Washington by some

golfing buddies returned from the

links who wanted to provide an

enjoyable activity for their loved ones.

So they improvised, putting together

elements of badminton, tennis, and

ping-pong.

Playing it

As pickleball is played now, two or

four players use solid paddles made

of wood or composite material to hit

a perforated plastic ball, similar to a

wiffle ball, over a net on a court with

dimensions and layout rather like that

of a doubles badminton court, under

rules somewhat akin to tennis, with a

number of modifications.

The overall pickleball court (20 x

44 ft.) is striped, but with no alleys,

and a net separates the two areas of

the court. Each area has an outer

court, divided into two service zones

by stripes, and an inner court, not

divided, extending out seven feet

from the net on each side. This inner

court, called “the kitchen,” is a non-

volley zone. (To volley is to hit the

ball before it touches the ground and

bounces.) The ball must be served by

an underhand stroke from below navel

level in an upward arc.

Victory goes to the first side to score

11 points and lead by at least two

points. If the sides are tied at 10

points each, the first side to get ahead

by two points wins the game. Only the

serving side may score a point. That

side receives a point when the other

side commits a “fault.”

Faults include:

• hitting the ball beyond the net

PICKLEBALL: FUN FOR ALL, GREAT FOR SENIORS!

by Peter J. O’Connell, Editorial and Research Associate

• hitting the ball out of bounds

• not hitting the serve into the

opposing diagonal service zone

• touching any part of the non-

volley zone on the serve

• volleying from the non-

volley zone

• volleying the ball before at

least one bounce has occurred

on each side

Benefiting from it

The USA Pickleball Association

(USAPA) describes the sport as one

of the fastest-growing in the country

and dubs it “highly contagious.”

This positive and metaphorical use

of “contagious” is intended to bring

to mind the many health benefits of

pickleball, particularly for seniors.

The www.sportsimports.com/blog

points out: “If you are looking for

some great exercise for your mind and

body, pickleball can’t be beat. Playing

pickleball allows you to work on your

balance, agility, reflexes, and hand-eye

coordination without putting excessive

strains on your body. Pickleball is a

wonderful alternative for older players

who . . . have physical limitations

such as hip, shoulder, knee or other

joint problems.”

The Medical University of South

Carolina Web site, www.muschealth.

org/health-aging, indicates some of the

reasons for these benefits:

• “The small court keeps the ball in

play, but you are not over exerted

during any one point.”

• “The smaller court also means less

running and less wear and tear . . . .”

• The paddle is “a low intensity

instrument with minimal stress on the

tendons and muscles of the arms.”

•

Underhand serving “makes the

game easier to play and less taxing on

the arms.”

• “Racket/paddle sports boost the

cardiovascular system . . . .”

• “The endorphins and other bioamines

that are released are useful in elevating

self-esteem and controlling depression

. . . .”

Pickleball is a very enjoyable and

sociable sport, those who play it say.

And it can be quickly learned and played

at a reasonable level by almost anyone.

It is also inexpensive to play. Paddles

average $75-$100 and balls about

$2.00. As for clothing, you can wear

pretty much anything comfortable and

appropriate for your climate. So go

join the fun, along with the more than

2.5 million current participants!

Finding it

The USA Pickleball Association keeps

track of the more than 15,000 indoor

and outdoor pickleball courts in the

country today—whether at commercial

locations or in parks or schools or at

senior facilities and retirement venues.

And approximately 90 new locations are

being added every month.

You can obtain the latest information

about courts in your area from a USAPA

Web site, www.plus2play.org. Use the

provided Search box to search by city,

state, ZIP code, or location name—or

geographically by clicking the Map link.

For general information, you can reach

USAPA by e-mail at geninfo@usapa.org

and by U.S. mail at:

USAPA

P.O. Box

7354

Surprise, AZ 85374

Estate Plan Essentials

surprising number of people have not

yet attended to their estate planning.

Perhaps this is because estate planning

has become so much more complicated in recent

years, even though the burden of taxes at death has

been in decline. Estate planning now usually covers

medical and financial decisions before the end of

life, as well as after death.

HERE ARE THE DOCUMENTS THAT WILL BE

DRAFTED FOR MANY ESTATE PLANS TODAY.

Document What it does

FINANCIAL:

Will

Identifies beneficiaries. May establish one or

more trusts for ongoing asset management.

Nominates the person or organization to be

responsible for estate settlement.

Power of attorney

Delegates authority to an agent to make

financial decisions. The agent’s authority ends

when the principal is incapacitated.

Durable power of attorney

Delegates financial decision power to an

agent, even if the principal is incapacitated. In

some cases, the power “springs” into being

upon incapacity or other identified event.

Revocable living trust

Transfers assets and full financial manage

ment authority to a trustee. The trust may

continue into incapacity, even beyond the

death of the trustor.

MEDICAL:

Power of attorney for

health care (sometimes

called a health care proxy)

Identifies an individual to make medical

decisions when one is unconscious or

incapacitated.

Living will

Provides guidelines for medical decisions

when an individual becomes terminally ill,

such as whether feeding tubes or ventilators

should be used to prolong life.

Do not resuscitate order

(DNR)

Specifically requests that cardiopulmonary

resuscitation not be used if one’s heart or

breathing stops.

Source: Merrill Anderson Company

AREA

HOSPITALS

and their

services for

seniors

St. Vincent’s Outreach Program

St. Vincent’s Outreach Program seeks to help

residents of Bridgeport who have difficulty

accessing primary care because of physical

isolation, disability/frailty, psychological reasons

or lack of financial resources. Such residents

include low-income, disabled, homeless, frail

elderly and homebound persons. Outreach

care, including geriatric assessments and other

geriatric services, is provided on a 24-hour

basis by an interdisciplinary team of physi-

cians, nurses and social workers. Qualifying

patients may receive home medical visits and

transportation for medical services.

Outreach services are provided

at two locations:

St. Vincent’s Geriatric Clinic in St. Vincent’s

Family Health Center

762 Lindley St. • Bridgeport, CT 06606

Adult Medicine Center of St. Vincent’s

Neighborhood Health Center

Lower level of Thomas Merton Center

43 Madison Ave. • Bridgeport, CT 06604

For more information on Outreach services,

call 203-576-5710.

BRIDGEPORT HOSPITAL

Bridgeport Hospital is a private, not-for-profit, full-service hospital and teaching institution. It is part

of the Yale New Haven Health System and primarily serves patients from Fairfield and New Haven

Counties. The hospital has: 383 licensed beds; more than 2,600 employees; nearly 600 active

attending physicians, representing more than 60 medical specialties. This busy institution annu-

ally has more than 19,000 admissions and more than 207,000 outpatient visits to the hospital

(including more than 76,000 emergency department visits and more than 36,000 clinic visits).

Founded in 1878 by a group of community leaders, Bridgeport Hospital was Fairfield County’s first

hospital, and P.T. Barnum was the hospital’s first president. The hospital’s vision, its current leaders

state, remains essentially what it was at the time of its founding: “To provide advanced medical

care and health promotion with excellence and compassion.”

Main location: 267 Grant St. • Bridgeport, CT 06610 • 203-384-3000

www.bridgeporthospital.org

Physician/Services Referral (English and Spanish, 24/7): 1-888-357-2396

Bridgeport Hospital is affiliated with a number of satellite facilities, both in the city and the suburbs.

Here are some:

Fairfield

Fairfield Urgent Care Center

309 Stillson Rd. • 203-331-1924

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m. 5 p.m.

Shelton

Ahlbin Center for Rehabilitation Medicine

Suite 184

4 Corporate Drive • 203-925-4201

Hours: Mon.-Fri., 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Huntington Walk-in Medical Center

887 Bridgeport Ave. • 203-225-6020

Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Southport

Ahlbin Center for Rehabilitation Medicine

Suite 3

2600 Post Road • 203-259-7117

Hours: Mon. & Fri., 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.;

Tues. & Thurs., 6:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; Wed.

7:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Stratford

Ahlbin Center for Rehabilitation Medicine

3585 Main St. • 203-445-2621

Mon., 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Tues. & Thurs.,

7:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Trumbull

Ahlbin Center for Rehabilitation Medicine

2750 Reservoir Avenue • 203-445-2621

Mon. & Tues. & Thurs., 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.;

Wed. & Fri., 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

• Geriatric Home Visit Program

For housebound older adults, Bridgeport

Hospital’s Home Visit Group of geriatricians

and nurse practitioners can bring the care that

they require right into their homes. The Group

becomes the primary care physician for these

patients.

• REACH Programs (Geriatric Outpatient

Psychiatric Services)

If psychiatric conditions and/or substance

abuse complicate the common concerns of

aging, Bridgeport Hospital’s REACH Programs

can help by providing intensive outpatient

treatment. One program provides structured

daily treatment at the hospital every weekday,

9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Another program sees

patients three to four times per week, 9:30

a.m.-1:30 p.m. In either program, patients

are placed in an Older Adult Track and

receive group and family therapy. For more

information, call the REACH Programs at

203-384-3377.

• Geriatric Inpatient Psychiatric Program

If an assessment reveals that an older adult

needs hospital care because of a psychiatric

condition, this program provides close,

constant supervision.

• GEMS: Geriatric Emergency Medical Services

Bridgeport Hospital is the only hospital in

Connecticut that offers an emergency medi-

cine service dedicated specifically to the

needs of those 65 or older. In GEMS a

nurse practitioner, working with Emergency

Department physicians, greets patients,

explains what testing may be done, helps

put patients and their families at ease, helps

develop a proper plan of care and, upon

release, ensures that patients return to a safe

environment. For more information about

GEMS, call 203-384-GEMS (4367).

Outreach Programs

Bridgeport Hospital prides itself on offering

many services and resources to the com-

munity for health, wellness and education. A

number of these are support services targeted

for seniors. They include lectures, classes, sup-

port groups, publications, and various evalu-

ations and screenings. For more information,

call 1-888-357-2396.

Of special note:

• AARP Senior Driver Safety Program

This program is a one-day course offered once

a month at the hospital.

Continued top of next page

Center for Geriatrics

Older adults need a special kind of care and

understanding to address the range of physi-

cal, mental, medical, social and other issues

that they often have to confront. To meet

these needs, Bridgeport Hospital maintains

the Center for Geriatrics. From the Center,

Geriatric Specialty Services Teams of experts—

geriatricians, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners,

social workers and other staff—work together,

in close collaboration with primary care physi-

cians, to provide individualized programs of

care and support for patients and their fami-

lies. The Center’s wide range of services is

aimed at meeting the wide range of needs

of seniors and their loved ones.

Bridgeport Hospital Center for Geriatrics

95 Armory Rd. • Stratford, CT 06614

203-384-3388 • Fax: 203-384-4034

Specialized geriatric services at Bridgeport

Hospital include:

• Geriatric Assessment Program

In an assessment of an older adult having

difficulties, experts: conduct exams, tests,

screenings; review drugs and supplements

being taken; gather information to understand

personal and family medical history. The

assessment is the first step toward finding the

best solutions to the problems of the senior.

ST. VINCENT’S MEDICAL CENTER

In 1905 an order of Catholic nuns, the Daughters of Charity, opened a

75-bed hospital, with a mission to serve the sick, poor, homeless, dis-

abled and frail elderly in the Greater Bridgeport area. Steady expansion

over the years has created the St. Vincent’s Medical Center of today—a

473-bed community teaching and referral hospital, employing more than

2,000 people and offering a full range of inpatient and outpatient ser-

vices, provided by an active medical staff of more than 700 physicians,

representing more than 50 specialties. St. Vincent’s has many affiliates

and is a member of Ascension Health, the largest Catholic, nonprofit,

healthcare system in the country. Leaders of St. Vincent’s say that it

strives every day to fulfill its Vision Statement--”St. Vincent’s: Setting the

Standard for Care You Can Trust.”

Main location: 2800 Main St. • Bridgeport, CT 06606 • 203-576-6000

For appointments, call the Care Line: 877-255-7847 • www.stvincents.org

St. Vincent’s Web site offers the FIND A DOCTOR tool, which allows those seeking to discuss

their health concerns or those of a loved one with a medical expert to search for the expert by

specialty, practice, location or keyword.

Among St. Vincent’s many endeavors to meet the health needs of the community are Urgent

Care Walk-In Centers at four locations:

Bridgeport 4600 Main St. • 203-371-4445

Fairfield 1055 Post Rd. • 203-259-3440

Milford 199 Cherry St. • 203-696-3502

Monroe 401 Monroe Tnpk. • 203-268-2501

Shelton 2 Trap Falls Rd. • 203-929-1109

Stratford 3272 Main St. • 203-386-0366

Hours for all locations: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Audiology (Hearing) Services at the Ahlbin

Rehabilitation Center

The Ahlbin Center provides comprehensive

hearing services and also evaluation and treat-

ment for vestibular disorders (dizziness).

226 Mill Hill Ave. • Bridgeport, CT 06610 •

203-336-7301

• Blood Pressure Screenings

The Emergency Care Institute of Bridgeport

Hospital provides free blood pressure screen-

ings at various dates and times at senior

centers in Fairfield, Shelton and Stratford. For

more information, call 1-888-357-2396.

• Lifeline

Lifeline is a 24-hour personal emergency

response program in which trained staff

members are available at the touch of a

button to call emergency personnel and

family members for both medical and non-

medical situations. For more information,

call 1-800-242-1306, ext. 4937.

St. Vincent’s Senior Services

St. Vincent’s seeks to build “regional centers

of excellence” in “key service areas.” One of

these areas involves promoting the health

of aging adults through geriatric specialists

at the Medical Center’s main location and a

dedicated Senior Services facility at 2 Trap

Falls Rd. in Shelton, adjacent to the Urgent

Care Walk-In Center. For more information,

call 1-855-331-1113.

Senior Services works to understand the

complex needs of older adults and be a

resource to help them and their families

attain and maintain health and indepen-

dence. The aim is to create a comprehensive

and coordinated network of care, comple-

menting that of primary care physicians, and

providing assistance with medications/pre-

scriptions, consultations about treatment and

care, and evaluations of the effectiveness of

various care options for the senior involved.

Club 50/Boomers

St. Vincent’s sponsors Club 50/Boomers as

an organization for people age 50 and older

who are interested in maintaing their health

through educational programs and social

events, including lectures, health screen-

ings, wellness programs and excursions.

Membership is free, and anyone over 50

can join. Membership offers discounts on the

programs and excursions and also on parking,

meals at St. Vincent’s, various publications and

prescription drugs at most pharmacies. For

more information, call 203-576-5111.