Category: seniors

Caregivers, Celebratory Day, Elder Abuse, Elder Law of Michigan, FYI, Legal, Legal Hotline, Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Planning for the Future, Safety, senior independence, seniors, Tips

Grandparents’ Day: Sunday, September 9, 2018

By Michelle Jackson, MiCAFE Network Coordinator  Did you know September 9th is National Grandparents’ Day? Everyone should learn about this special day so we can honor and celebrate our grandparents.    President Jimmy Carter signed the bill for Grandparents’ Day in 1978. It was first introduced by Marian McQuade of Oak Hill, West Virginia who became the founder of National Grandparents’ Day. Marian made it her goal to educate youth about significant contributions that seniors have … Continue reading Grandparents’ Day: Sunday, September 9, 2018

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Disability, Medicare/Medicaid, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future, Retirement, seniors, Social Security, SSI, Tips, veterans

Social Security Q&A Part 12

By: Vonda VanTil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Question: What is the benefit amount a spouse may be entitled to receive? Answer: If you are eligible for both your own retirement benefit and for benefits as a spouse, we will always pay you benefits based on your record first. If your benefit as a spouse is higher than your retirement benefit, you will receive a combination … Continue reading Social Security Q&A Part 12

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A will with a pen.
Elder Law of Michigan, FYI, Legal, Legal Hotline, Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Legal Hotlines, Michigan, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future, senior independence, seniors, Tips

Everyone Needs a Will

By Denise Keiser, Fund Development Specialist  Recently we learned that celebrity icon, Aretha Franklin, died with no will or trust in place to instruct the disposition of her wealth, which has an estimated value of over 80 million dollars. So this brings a question to light – at what level of wealth do you need a will?  No matter how much – or how little – money or assets you … Continue reading Everyone Needs a Will

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Celebratory Day, Celebratory Month, Elder Law of Michigan, FYI, Legal, Legal Hotline, Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Legal Hotlines, MiCAFE, Nutrition, Senior hunger, senior independence, seniors, Tips

September is Hunger Action Month: Take Action and Fight Hunger!

By Sara Jackson, MiCAFE Network Specialist  When September hits, many people start to think of fall. We start to see a lot of red, orange, and yellow in décor, clothing, and food. However, orange has another meaning during the month of September, which is Hunger Action Month.  Here are some statistics from Feeding America associated with Senior Hunger across our country:  Nearly 5 million seniors face hunger in our country.  The rate of hunger among … Continue reading September is Hunger Action Month: Take Action and Fight Hunger!

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Elder Law of Michigan, FYI, Legal, Legal Hotline, Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Legal Hotlines, Planning for the Future, senior independence, seniors, Tips

What Happens If I’m Arrested and Cannot Afford a Lawyer?

By Jadranko Tomic Bobas, Managing Hotline Attorney, and Lauren Sutter, Legal Hotline Intern  Getting arrested can be overwhelming and scary, but those feelings can be even greater for seniors who are arrested. According to the Michigan Incident Crime Report, 2,925 of the arrests occurring in 2016 were people age 65 and above. This age demographic represents only 1.22% of arrests, but this still could leave many seniors facing criminal charges with no … Continue reading What Happens If I’m Arrested and Cannot Afford a Lawyer?

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A question mark drawn in white chalk on a blackboard.
Disability, Medicare/Medicaid, Planning for the Future, Retirement, seniors, Social Security, SSI, Tips, veterans

Social Security Q&A Part 11

By: Vonda VanTil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Question: I served in the military, and I’ll receive a military pension when I retire. Will that affect my Social Security benefits? Answer: You can get both Social Security retirement benefits and military retirement at the same time. Generally, we don’t reduce your Social Security benefits because of your military benefits. When you’re ready to apply for … Continue reading Social Security Q&A Part 11

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FYI, Medicare/Medicaid, Money and Finances, Planning for the Future, Retirement, seniors, Social Security, Technology, Tips

We Know What Matters – It’s You

By: Vonda VanTil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist We named our blog Social Security Matters for a few reasons. Yes, we matter to millions of people. And the matters we write about—from policy changes to new programs—from online my Social Security features to popular baby names—are topics that affect you in one way or another. Our blogs provide a lot of information about our programs … Continue reading We Know What Matters – It’s You

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Money and Finances, Retirement, seniors, Social Security

Monitoring Your Earnings Record Can Really Pay Off

By: Vonda VanTil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist You work hard for your money. You’re saving and planning for a secure retirement. Now you need to make sure you’re going to get all the money you deserve. Regularly reviewing your Social Security earnings record can really pay off, especially when every dollar counts in retirement. If an employer did not properly report just one year … Continue reading Monitoring Your Earnings Record Can Really Pay Off

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Three generations of women sit together on a couch.
Money and Finances, Planning for the Future, Retirement, seniors, Tips, veterans

Social Security is Here for People Like You

By: Vonda VanTil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist All kinds of people make up this great nation. Seniors, soldiers, individuals with disabilities, and newlyweds — they are the workers, civic leaders, social workers, and artistic creators of countless things and ideas that help us have better lives every day. All of our collective talents and passions create one of the most unique societies in the … Continue reading Social Security is Here for People Like You

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Elder Abuse, Elder Law of Michigan, Legal, Legal Hotline, Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Legal Hotlines, medical, pets, Planning for the Future, Safety, senior independence, seniors, Tips

Seniors and Pets: Part 1

By Jadranko Tomic Bobas, J.D., Managing Hotline Attorney, and Angela Quinn, Legal Hotline Intern   Many people have a family pet that they cherished growing up. While many families own a pet for various reasons, such as teaching a child responsibility, pets can also serve a valuable role in the life of a senior. Pets provide social interaction and physical activity for older adult owners. Pets reduce depression and … Continue reading Seniors and Pets: Part 1

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