INSAF

Irrespective of the age, nowadays it is imperative to decide in advance as to what should be done in a health situation where you are not in a position to decide on your own. You can appoint an agent to take a decision in such eventualities and express what you wish to be done to you. Here are some useful guidelines and the form in which it has to be done. You have the right to give instructions about your own health care. You also have the right to name someone else to make health care decisions for you. The Advance Health Care Directive form lets you do one or both of these things.  It also lets you write down your wishes about donation of organs and the selection of your primary physician.  If you use the form, you may complete or change any part of it or all of it. You are free to use a different form.  INSTRUCTIONS  Part 1: Power of Attorney  Part 1 lets you:  • name another person as agent to make health  care decisions f...

Antioxidants protect the body from dangerous substances called free radicals that can lead to many chronic diseases. Antioxidants work by slowing or preventing the oxidative - or damage from oxygen - process caused by free radicals that can lead to cell dysfunction and the onset of problems like heart disease, macular degeneration, diabetes and cancer. For seniors, an antioxidant-rich diet in the following foods and drinks can help boost the immune system and provide major health benefits. Beans Beans are close to the perfect food. They are chock full of protein, vitamins, calcium, fiber, and more. Red beans have more antioxidants per serving than any other fruit or vegetable. Small red beans and kidney, pinto and black beans are all choices rich in antioxidants. Pomegranate In addition to increasing antioxidants in the blood, pomegranate also decreases LDL (bad cholesterol) and cholesterol plaque build-up. The major health benefit of pomegranate seems to be its role in reduct...

T he article in this blog ( "http://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/happy-holidays-seniors-and-families-12-19-2012/" ) i s very useful not only for seniors but also for others who care for such seniors in their families. Here’s the C-H-E-E-R plan for happy holidays with aging parents: C heck, H elp, E mpower, E njoy, and R eminisce. C heck on your older loved one’s well-being. H elp your loved ones stay engaged . E mpower your loved one to live independently E njoy your time together. R eminisce

Effective Methods for Ageing with Grace This feature is on a web site yourageing.com and the site is dedicated to the human race and the inevitable ageing that we will all eventually succumb to. Ageing is a process of cell degeneration that all living creatures gradually progress through from birth until death, some faster or slower than others. We humans can however examine our physical and mental condition and take various steps to reduce and slow down the ageing process. This site is intended to offer help in this endeavor. There are a few things in life that we have little choice about: death, paying taxes, and ageing. While we may not be able to completely stop the ageing process from taking place, we can make choices that will allow us to handle the routine of ageing with grace and dignity. While genetics and exposure to environmental hazards may cause much of the Ageing that takes place with each of us on an individual basis, we can all benefit from healthy lifestyle...

Is the joint-family system better than living separately ? There is no doubt that the joint-family system has many advantages such as the experience of the elders, their time & effort in taking care of the children or looking after the household and their advice when the youngsters are at fault. The elders themselves are no doubt benefitted as they are not left alone. This contributes to their mental and physical well-being. Also, in times of sickness and need, the younger generation will be there to care for them. Grandparents and grandchildren have a special bonding that enriches the lives of each other. But it cannot be denied that when certain social and family circumstances act as a barrier against the joint family system, then it is better that the elders and youngsters live separately. This way the relationship is still cordial and not spoiled by staying together. But efforts should be made to meet each other, wi...

(For the benefit of those who have accounts in India) The Reserve Bank of India announced that it has extended the deadline for banks to ensure withdrawal on Non Cheque Truncation System (CTS) cheque till March 31, 2013. What is CTS -2010? CTS -2010 is a benchmark for standardization of cheques issued by banks across the country. The main feature of CTS -2010 cheques is that a cheque can be cleared electronically. Simply put, a CTS -2010 cheque will not have to go through the process of physical clearance. When a customer deposits a CTS -2010-complied cheque, the bank can simply send the cheque’s image to the drawee bank, whose cheque has been issued; once the drawee bank scrutinizes and recognizes the cheque, it will get cleared. This move will help banks save on transaction cost and time. What are the features? C TS -2010 cheques will have security features such as a certain type of paper, CTS watermark, bank’s logo in invisible ink and a standard fiel...

The Q&A in this RBI link may be useful to U.S citizens of Indian origin who want to acquire properties in India/ sell their properties already acquired. " http://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/ FAQView.aspx?Id=33 "

President and Nonprofits Battle Over Charitable Deductions December 14, 2012, 11:32 am Some of the nation’s foremost charities are locked in a battle with the White House over President Obama’s push to limit the nearly century-old tax deductions on donations to nonprofits, reports The Washington Post . In a series of talks with charity leaders from groups that include the American Red Cross and the United Way, President Obama has asked charities to accept higher taxes on wealthy people and reduce their allowable deductions for charitable gifts. Early indications are that charitable groups will favor the tax rise, but they worry that limiting deductions will have a devastating effect on charities’ coffers. In other “fiscal cliff” news, charity leaders in central Pennsylvania worry that federal budget cuts will adversely affect them, and USA Today  says that think tanks could be disproportionately affected by proposed limits on tax deductions. ...

Good News For Caregivers Dealing With a Hoarding Family Member By Sarah Stevenson on December 10, 2012 "http://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/elderly-hoarding-disorder/". A nice article on a common set-back for elders. krishnaswamy.

Travelers on Tourist visa are currently required to have a gap of at least 2 months between two separate visits to India. The restriction has now been lifted except for nationals of China, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Sudan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, foreigners of Pakistan and Bangladesh origin and stateless persons. (" http://www.indianembassy.org/prdetail2070/important-notice-restrictions-on-tourist-visa-re-entry-within-2-months-lifted")

People with Medicare save $5 billion on Prescription Drugs Because of Health Care Law Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that savings on prescription drugs made possible by the Affordable Care Act reached $5.1 billion.  More than 5.8 million people with Medicare have benefited from the assistance the health care law provides with the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap known as the donut hole.  In the first 10 months of 2012 alone, almost 2.8 million individuals have saved an average of $677 on prescription drugs. During the same period, about 23.4 million people with original Medicare received one or more preventive services at no cost to them, with 2.5 million having received an Annual Wellness Visit. Open Enrollment Period Ends Dec. 7.   During Medicare's annual open enrollment period, people with Medicare should compare costs, benefits and quality of Medicare health and drug plans to find the best value for 2013.  ...

I am reproducing a Prayer recited by my friend, philosopher and guide, Sri.J.Radhakrishnan before his talk in a meeting of the Old Boys' Association of SBI. I was really impressed with the contents of this prayer. " Prayer “Lord, Thou knowest better than I know myself That I am growing older and will some day be old Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking that I must say something  on every subject and on every occasion Make me thoughtful but not moody, Helpful but not bossy Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details Give me wings to get to the truth/point Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people And, give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so."

I refer to my earlier post " When there is “Will” there is a better way" . I referred the matter relating to "Probating a Will in India" to Mr.J.Radhakrishnan ( who is a leading legal counsel) whose response to my questions is reproduced hereunder: " 1. If a will is executed in U.S by a person of Indian origin involving immovable property in India, can it be probated in India? For doing so, should it be first probated here in the place of execution? Ans:- First probate applies only if there is an executor or executors named in the will. Otherwise, the beneficiary(legatee) can only apply for Letters of Administration with the will attached.  If the testator i.e. the executant of the will is a christian, it has to be compulsorily probated/letters of administration obtained as the case may be, in the Court in whose jurisdiction the testator last resided or where the property is situate. If the testator is a Hindu, probate or letters of adm...

When there is “Will” there is a better way Some people think that we should think of a “Will” only during our last days and that it is ominous to talk about it when we are healthy. If you own hard-earned property and you would like to bequeath it to your children without them undergoing undue hardship in inheriting it , then the best way to do i t , if you have substantial property, is to create a “Living Trust” wherein you are the trustee. T he assets held in your living trust could be managed by the trustee and distributed according to your directions without court supervision and involvement. This can save your heirs time and money. And because the trust would not be under the direct management of the probate court, your assets and their value (as well as your beneficiaries' identities) would not become a public record. But when your assets, especially real estate, is not great, then a “Will” is the better option. The following aspects can be had in mind while ex...