AS WE HEAD INTO SPRING, warmer weather and a season of more light, we may take a look outside at our lawns and flower beds and see that we have some work to do. 

Before you can make room for new growth you have to prepare the soil, clear out the old and have a vision for what you would like to plant.

If you feel stuck in old patterns and it feels like you are far away from the vision you have for what you want emotionally, financially, physically and spiritually, start clearing away the old.

One of the quickest ways to feel better about old habits is to start clearing out your physical space. Take small steps by clearing out a closet or drawer at a time and get rid of anything you don’t like or use.  This action step will help you feel less overwhelmed and anxious in every day life.

Once you have begun to work on your physical space, take some time to think about what you want to change in all areas of your life.  Start thinking about the people you spend time with and ask yourself if you feel refreshed and energized after time together.  If the answer is that you feel drained and grumpy, it’s time to pull the weeds and make room for healthier relationships in your life.

Part of growing and improving our mindset is to reflect on what we have outgrown.  Sometimes we hang onto the weeds because we think we have to, we feel guilty pulling them, or we are afraid to let go.

Any person, place or thing that keeps you from growing is a weed in your life.  Take inventory on your garden of the people in your life and begin to pull the weeds out. 

Spring is a time of renewed hope, energy and light.  Take the time you need this month to do an inventory of the weeds in your life and begin to pull them from the root.  Every time you deal with a weed in your life, you make room for new growth, opportunity, energy and joy. 

YOU ARE WORTH IT!

For more information visit www.fritzstanger.com or email fritzstanger@gmail.com

I was talking with someone recently about what my boy house is like, and I was laughing at the ways that my boys consistently think about things differently than how I do now, or how I did when I was their ages. For example, there are some things that they, as a group, really seem to hate, like:

PRINCESS MOVIES, AND DOLLS
My boys have zero interest in any of the Barbie-type movies and other princess-y shows that I see listed on Netflix in the kid section, which I get, but the movies and shows they do watch sometimes get a little close to the “princess movie” line than they like, especially when it comes to romance. 

Even in their Star Wars and superhero movies, there’s often a romantic subplot and any time they catch a whiff of it they start yelling, “Don’t even think about kissing!” I put “The Little Mermaid” on recently for the little ones, which I know is the kind of movie that tests their patience, but we hadn’t seen it in a while, and I wanted to watch it with them. I thought my seven-year-old actually enjoyed it, as he watched it quietly all the way through, but when Ariel and Eric shared their final kiss, he said, “If this movie was the exact opposite, it would be a lot better.”

They also hate dolls. I’ll never forget how one of my boys had nightmares after seeing my niece’s baby doll with eyes that open and close.

CLEAN CLOTHES, AND BEING WARM
When I do the boys’ laundry, I fold it and put it in piles on their desks — this is the signal that they are to put their clothes away. Our laundry set-up is unconventional in that no one has a dresser (there isn’t enough space in their bedrooms); rather, they each have shelves or drawers of their own in the laundry/mudroom. Despite the fact that a couple of them are fairly particular about wanting to have a supply of clean clothes, which would seem to negate the idea that they hate clean clothes, they all are terrible about putting their clothes away in a manner that preserves the clothes’ cleanliness. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found remnants of their pile of clean clothes toppled off their desks onto the floor and then apparently walked on and kicked around for a couple of days. Most of them shove the neatly folded piles onto their shelves or into their drawers, which, as you all know, is not the way to keep things neat and unwrinkled. We had family pictures taken recently and I’d washed everyone’s chosen outfits the night before — it was a special thrill for me that everyone was wearing clean clothes, which isn’t something that could be counted on when everyone was little — and the first thing one of them did when we arrived at the place for the pictures was roll around on the ground. So he’s in our photos with muddy knees. 

They also hate being warm. Every day during the winter they argued with me when I told them that, yes, they need to wear winter coats and pants when they leave the house when it’s colder than 30 degrees.

PLEASANT FAMILY RIDES, AND QUIET OF ANY KIND
Ever since we started having kids, my husband and I have used car rides as a way of maintaining (or restoring!) our sanity. It’s always been a relief to buckle the kids into the van, especially after a long day of misbehaving — they’re safe and restrained and I have them seated in such a way that I’ve tried to keep apart the boys who cause trouble together. When they were all little, it was heaven. But as they’ve gotten older, it’s become less and less peaceful to have them all in the van together. They constantly bother each other by pulling on each other’s seat belts, pulling each other’s hair (they all have short hair, but when they’re determined to torment each other, they find a way), throwing things at each other, putting their feet on each other’s seats, sitting too close, sitting too far, having private conversations that they yell at other brothers about wanting to hear … any time all the boys are in the van, I spend a good amount of time yelling at everyone to, “Turn around! Quiet down! Stop bothering your brother!” 

They really just seem to hate quiet of any kind. I’ve been marveling recently at how loud our house is — the noise has increased exponentially as the boys have gotten older, and I myself have reached decibels I didn’t know I was capable of in trying to have myself heard over the din.

It could be as much a pack mentality as anything else — each of them on their own can be quiet (I’ve seen it!), and on their own they might not mind a love story every now and again (especially if there are also weapons), and I know some of them have tendencies toward order and cleanliness, but the opinions presented above seem to be ones they can all agree on when they’re together. Or at least when they’re within earshot of me, and that might be part of it too — they definitely love to drive their mother crazy! I’ll tell you what, though: when I’m not yelling, I’m often laughing — what personalities these kids have! It’s such a privilege to watch them grow up.

Kate and her husband have seven sons ages 16, 14, 12, 11, 9, 7, and 2. Follow her at www.facebook.com/kmtowne23, or email her at kmtowne23@gmail.com.

When you’re thinking about hiring a financial advisor, it’s important that you do your due diligence to help make sure you and your advisor are well matched. Ideally, you and your advisor are both looking to establish a very long-term relationship, and part of that involves being very open and honest about your expectations, and asking probing questions. It’s also very important that your advisor be forthcoming with their expectations. Here is a shortlist of questions to ask.

1. Are you a fiduciary? 
An advisor who is a fiduciary is legally required to put your interests ahead of their own, and ahead of the interests of their employer. 

2. Are you independent?
It’s important to consider whether the advisor works for a company with proprietary products to sell. Generally this will be common with insurance and mutual fund companies. Even with the best intentions, if your advisor is limited to, or incentivized for using, their employer’s products, you might not get the result you’re looking for. 

When the only tool in your toolbelt is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a nail. An independent advisor will generally have access to a universe of products, and be beholden only to you. 

3. How are you compensated?
There are a few compensation models in the industry, and it’s important for you to know how you will be paying for the services you will receive. 

Commission Based – This “eat what you kill” compensation model means that your advisor only gets paid when a transaction takes place, and it had been the traditional model for decades. 

It has fallen out of favor with both clients and advisors because of the inherent conflict of interest it presents. 

Fee Based – Most advisors now operate under a fee-based structure. What this means is that they charge a stated fee for providing advice, as opposed to earning a sales commission. This fee is often a percentage of the assets they manage, but could also be hourly depending on the scope of work. Since the fee is assessed as a percentage of your balance, it changes as your accounts grow or shrink, and you and your advisor now have the same goal; to be careful stewards of your assets over time. 

Because certain important products, like life insurance, are inherently commission-based, a fee-based advisor has the latitude to provide these solutions as well. Here, again, it is important to understand if the advisor is an independent fiduciary.

4. How much education can I expect from you?
The financial industry is full of jargon and acronyms. Every client has a different level of financial literacy, and a good advisor will act as an educator to make sure you understand their recommendations. Most advisors don’t intend to talk over your head, but if you find them using language you’re not familiar with, don’t be shy about asking for terms to be defined or strategies to be better explained. 

Good communication is the cornerstone of any relationship, and it’s crucial that you and your advisor are speaking the same language. 

5. How long have you been in practice?
There is no substitute for experience. Every advisor can look like a rock star during good times, but it’s important to know that they have been battle-tested and have the temperament to keep their head even if you’re losing yours, when volatility strikes.  In order to help shepherd you through the inevitable periods of uncertainty, they need to have been there before, and know the way through. 

6. Are you, or members of your team, a CFP®?
A Certified Financial Planner® professional is an advisor who has been through a rigorous education and examination process beyond the regular licensing requirements for the industry. A CFP® has demonstrated a level of proficiency across a wide range of planning topics, and has committed to a higher code of ethics. If your advisor is not a CFP® it could be beneficial to you that they are, at least, working directly with one in formulating their recommendations.

Depending on your needs, there are many other questions you should consider asking. The bottom line, though, is that you feel comfortable asking your advisor anything that you feel is important. Your advisor will be better suited to meet your expectations if you are clear about what they are, and you won’t be blindsided by any surprises down the line if you are thorough in your interview process. 

Stephen Kyne, CFP® is a Partner at Sterling Manor Financial in Saratoga Springs and Rhinebeck.

Securities offered through Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Sterling Manor Financial, LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor or Cadaret Grant & Co., Inc. Sterling Manor Financial and Cadaret, Grant are separate entities.

I’m a little nervous to say this…but I think Spring is here! 

If you are like me then you are itching to get back on the road or back on the trails and resume running. If your running days are over or you prefer walking, then this article is for you too. Today I would like to talk about Plantar fasciitis, how to treat it and what you can do to minimize your risks of developing it.

The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs along the arch of the foot from the heel to the base of the big toe. The plantar fascia is a continuation of the calf muscle along the achilles tendon into the heel and bottom of the foot.

Plantar fasciitis accounts for around 8% of all running injuries and is common among runners of all ability levels. It is the most common cause of pain on the bottom of the heel and approximately 2 million people are treated each year for this condition. Plantar fasciitis is often diagnosed as an “inflammation” of the plantar fascia, but it may in fact be a degenerative process without inflammation.

The most common risk factors are: 

1. Excess Body Mass (i.e. obesity)
2. Prolonged Standing (occupational)
3. Increased running (walking)
4. Lack of ankle dorsiflexion motion (related to excessive heels on sneakers/shoes)
5. Lack of great toe (i.e. big toe) extension motion 

There are a variety of treatment options recommended but unfortunately there is no clear choice for everyone. Every case is unique. This is a point I would like to make sure is emphasized because unfortunately we make assumptions that the treatment that works best is one that works for everyone. Sure there are similarities, but identifying your specific issue is often the difference of a reasonable outcome with a prolonged agonizing outcome. 

Physical therapy is one of the most effective (consistently effective) for those suffering from plantar fasciitis. There are other common treatments, but when I did research and reviewed the actual scientific studies there were only a few consistently effective solutions.

1. Inserts (i.e. orthotics) for 2-12 months (Inserts should be a TEMPORARY SOLUTION…not a long term plan) This can be off the shelf OR custom orthotics. 
2. Heavy loading/strength training (foot/calf)
3. Manual therapy (specifically trigger point release techniques) 
4. Stretching has only a mild effectiveness at best. 

For those of you that know me or have heard me talk, you will know that I advocate for strengthening the foot. This is especially important for plantar fascia health. I prefer to avoid long-term use of inserts because joints that don’t move leads to the muscles that cross them to get weaker. Recent studies have shown that shoes that limit or prevent motion lead to weakness in the muscles of the foot. The same authors have also found that people that use “barefoot” style shoes (no support at all) will see improvement in strength of the foot in a matter of weeks. 

Inserts are incredibly helpful at times and similar to how we use splints and casts to protect our bones and joints when they are injured, inserts can serve a similar function. But when we are in a cast for weeks allowing the bone to heal, our muscles atrophy and our joints stiffen. For some people, wearing inserts can have the same effect. 

The bottom line:
STIFF FEET= WEAK FEET 

On the other end of the spectrum you will see a lot of runners wearing shoes with extra cushion. The idea is that more cushion will absorb forces and “protect” us somehow. Unfortunately this is not the case.

The Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine published a study that concluded,  “runners experienced a higher impact peak and increased loading rate with the “maximal” shoes.” They calculated that the “Vertical force impact peak (VFIP) was significantly longer in the soft shoe,” resulting in MORE IMPACT, not less!!

These discoveries may explain why shoes with more cushioning do not protect against impact-related running injuries.

Modern shoes try to manipulate the “natural foot” movements by one of two ways:

1. Controlling motion (i.e. inserts)
2. Controlling shock absorption (i.e. more cushion)

Trying to control your feet or use them in an unnatural way may be part of the problem. What we do know is that in the last 50 plus years of trying to manipulate our shoes, there is no evidence of these technologies actually reducing injuries. 

Let me direct you back to the main risk factors that are associated with plantar fasciitis that can be addressed with exercise, specifically strengthening of the foot and calf muscles. Physical therapy can help by providing you with exercises to strengthen the muscles that are unique to you and can ensure you progress safely. 

If you are experiencing pain at this moment, my therapists and I recommend a full body assessment to ensure you are addressing where you are weak, or where you may have mobility “cheats” that are contributing to your issues. At Goodemote PT, we also perform manual therapy to improve blood flow and reduce pain and allow for a safe progression back to activity. 

There are a variety of treatment options but unfortunately there is no clear choice for everyone, find a guide because every case is unique!

Thanks for reading my articles. If you want to contact my office, please call 518-306-6894, email me at goodemotept@gmail.com, or at www.Goodemotept.com.

When I was pregnant with my first baby, I was tired almost all the time. People told me it would only get worse after the baby came, so I obsessed over trying to figure out ahead of time what the baby’s sleep habits would look like and what I could do to make them as least painful for me as possible. “When will the baby start sleeping through the night?” was the most important question that existed, and its answer — or how to make it happen — was certainly the purpose of life and the answer to everything, as far as I could tell. 

I continue to be tired much of the time, nearly seventeen years later, so needless to say, a very large portion of my motherhood has been focused on helping my children go to bed at a reasonable time and stay in bed all night.

My youngest has railed against this harder than the others, or I’ve lost my fire as I’ve gotten older, or both (probably both), and the fact that my husband found him sitting on the floor of his room — rather than in his crib — when he went to get him up in the morning a few weeks ago was just the most recent wrinkle in my years-long goal of having peaceful nights. How could I put him to bed in his crib again when I couldn’t be sure he’d stay safe inside it?

But put him to bed in his crib that night I did anyway, in the off chance his climbing out had just been a fluke, or in the even more off chance he had heard, understood, and agreed with our admonitions that that was a very dangerous thing to do and he must not climb out of his crib again. I remained on high alert that night and, indeed, early the next morning, I heard his bedroom door open and heard him crying as he walked down the stairs. So that really had to be the end of him sleeping in his crib. 

But where was I supposed to put him? Until he climbed out of his crib the first night, he’d given zero indications that such a thing might be imminent. I had started to think about how he was going to need a bed soon, but hadn’t yet done anything about it, and the only bed not currently occupied by one of the boys doesn’t have a mattress. I needed an immediate solution, even if it was only temporary, so I decided to move him into my six-year-old’s bed, with my six-year-old (one of their heads at one end, one of their heads at the other).

You’re probably wondering if this was really a good idea. You’re probably thinking that my six-year-old might resist having a new bedmate. You’re probably wondering if it’s safe to have the two youngest, very mischievous boys together in a bed without bars. You’re probably wondering if the fact that the room my six-year-old is in is also shared with three of the other boys would create a problem, with its two sets of bunk beds (which means two top bunks, which are possibly my two-year-old’s very favorite places and a source of terror for me) and so many older boys who think the baby is the cutest thing they’ve ever seen — would they really leave him alone and not wake him up when he’s sleeping? If he ever even falls asleep to begin with, in this wonderland?

You’d be smart to ask all these things, and I considered each one. Lack of other options forced my hand, so I made the best of it, and this is what has happened:

My two-year-old loves sleeping in his brother’s bed. He could not possibly love it any more than he does. He has started asking to go to bed! Just the other morning I took a picture of him, so peacefully was he sleeping in his new sleep situation even as I was waking my six-year-old up for school and yell-whispering at him to be careful and quiet getting out of bed. As for that six-year-old, I’d given him the very weighty responsibility of making sure the baby stayed in the bed and didn’t cause trouble, and he’s taken up this new responsibility with cheerfulness and seriousness. He even surrounded the baby’s pillow with his own beloved stuffed animals, all on his own.

But perhaps the biggest positive has been the fact that the baby, who had woken up in the night without fail almost every single night since last March, has done so only once since moving into the big boy bed a month ago, and that one time was during the first week when he was still getting acclimated.

It took a long time to get to the peaceful-night stage with my youngest—he’s two-and-a-half, and I could generally count on my babies being content in bed by the one-year mark. I never would have guessed that moving him into a bed with his brother would be the answer! I was telling my husband that moving the baby out of the crib and into a big boy bed felt like a real end to babyhood. “Well, that and potty training,” he said. Oh right, potty training … that’s the next task. I’m feeling energized by the bits of spring we’ve seen so far, so maybe I’m ready to handle it? Though a baby who sleeps in a big boy bed and no longer wears diapers isn’t really a baby at all, and I’m quite sure I’m not at all ready for that.

Kate and her husband have seven sons ages 16, 14, 12, 11, 9, 6, and 2. Follow her at www.facebook.com/kmtowne23, or email her at kmtowne23@gmail.com.

Have you ever thought of a family gathering you have to attend in the future and feel a pit in your stomach or a tightening of your chest?

Do you feel your stomach turn at the thought of having to interact with a specific colleague or manager?  Have you ever gotten sick right before being around someone whose presence makes you feel anxious and uncomfortable? 

How many times have you overridden your body’s internal GPS because you don’t want to be rude or offend anyone? How many times have you given someone else the benefit of the doubt because you were taught to be a nice person and setting boundaries seem mean?

Our bodies hold the key to helping us set boundaries and keep ourselves emotionally safe from individuals who are toxic.  When we override these nudges we will feel emotionally drained, exhausted, defeated and depleted.

How can we set boundaries and stick to them when everyone else around us seems fine?

1. Check In With Your Gut 
We have all heard the saying “Go with your gut.”  In this case, when you feel that uncomfortable sensation pay attention.  For example, if you get invited to a wedding and feel immediately uncomfortable about some of the family members you will have to interact with, pay attention to that feeling.  Listen to it and take some time to assess further.

2. History is Your Friend 
While it is important to work through traumatic past events, when it comes to setting boundaries use history as a helpful tool.

If you keep showing up to functions and the same person continues to be difficult and toxic don’t give them the benefit of the doubt for the next event.  Use history as a way to determine what boundaries you need to set for the future.  Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.  Trade being nice for feeling secure and safe.

3. Stand Alone
Here is the tough part about setting boundaries, you may be the only one doing it in your family, your place of work, with a friend group, etc.

Do not look to other people to support your decision to set a boundary with a toxic person.  If you start looking for validation from others you may be told you are being too harsh, the toxic person means well, or that’s just the way they are and you should not take it personally. 

Setting boundaries is a skill that takes insight and practice and when you begin to do it regularly the people that have benefited from you having no boundaries will start to question your behavior. 

When this happens it may cause you to second guess yourself and make poor decisions that continue to make you feel uncomfortable.  Don’t take the bait!  The easiest way to know if you need to set some boundaries is to let your body guide you. A continuous uneasy feeling is a tell tale sign that you need to make a change.

Our bodies can be a wonderful GPS to guide us into better relationships and to help us take action against chronic boundary violaters.  Don’t wait until you feel sick with dis-ease to make changes, pay attention to the first sign your body gives you and keep practicing this awareness until it begins to feel automatic.

YOU ARE WORTH IT!

Meghan Fritz is a psychotherapist practicing at Fritz, Stanger & Associates. For more information visit www.fritzstanger.com

This column usually addresses legal matters related to estate planning and elder law.  This time of year, however, I sometimes get questions related to challenging property tax assessments.  I thought it would be useful to review some of the basic rules of the road for those who are considering a property tax assessment challenge this Spring.

The property tax assessment challenge procedure has a variety of terms and concepts that can be difficult to understand, such as:  taxable status dates, equalization rates, and valuation dates.  For those not familiar with the rules, it can lead to confusion and misunderstanding.  Below is a brief Q&A that I hope will bring some clarity to the process.

What is an equalization rate? 
An equalization rate is the State’s measure of a municipality’s level of assessment. The equalization rate varies by municipality, and it is a percentage of full market value of the properties in a municipality.  For example, the 2021 equalization rate for Saratoga Springs is 61%.  So – in a general sense, properties in Saratoga Springs are considered by the State to be assessed at 61% of their full market value.  For example, if your house is assessed at $200,000, then that equates to a full market value of $327,869 ($327,869 x 61% = $200,000).  If you look at your most recent property tax bill (which relates to last year’s assessment roll), you will see an “assessed value” and a “full market value” listed for your property. 

Why isn’t the equalization rate 100%? 
If your municipality’s equalization rate was 100% last year, then your assessed value would equal your full market value in this year’s tax bills, which were recently sent out.  In some municipalities this is the case.  In fact, in Saratoga County, about half of the cities and towns have an equalization rate of 85% or greater.  Equalization rates can drop from 100% over time if the municipality does not conduct a general reassessment of all properties and property values rise over time.  The last city-wide revaluation in Saratoga Springs was done in 2005.

Why is the equalization rate important?  
It is important because you need to understand the difference between your assessed value (which may stay the same over time if the Assessor does not change it) and the resulting full market value after the equalization rate is considered.  If you want to decide whether or not to challenge your assessment, you need to look at the full market value on your assessment and decide if you think that is higher than the fair market value of your home.

If I want to challenge my assessment, what do I do?
If you want to challenge your assessment, you need to file an RP-524 form with your local Board of Assessment Review by Grievance Day, which is usually the fourth Tuesday in May.  Grievance Days can vary, so it is best to check with your local assessment office.  More information is available at www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/contest/grievproced.htm. 

What happens after I file my grievance?
The local BAR will review it and decide whether to keep your assessment the same or lower it.  The BAR will generally allow you to appear before them on Grievance Day to explain your argument.

What if the BAR doesn’t lower my assessment?
If you are grieving the assessment for your residence, you can appeal the decision in a Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR) hearing before an independent hearing officer.  At that hearing, you will be able to make your case for a lower assessment, and the Assessor will be able to respond.  If the property you’re grieving is not your residence, you will likely instead have to file an Article 7 petition challenging your assessment in Supreme Court.

Do I need a lawyer to challenge my assessment?
You generally do not need a lawyer, unless you are filing an Article 7 petition in Supreme Court.  It is advisable, however, that you hire an appraiser to do an appraisal of your property to support your argument.

What is a taxable status date and a valuation date?
For the 2021 tax assessment roll, your property will be valued as of a valuation date of July 1st of the prior year – so July 1, 2020.  It will be valued as of what is physically there as of March 1st of the assessment year – so March 1, 2021 for the 2021 assessment year.

Why are these dates important?
If you hire an appraiser to appraise your property for an assessment challenge in 2021, you should tell them to appraise it as of what was physically there on March 1, 2021 but with a valuation as of July 1, 2020.

How do I know if I should challenge my assessment?
Over the years, I’ve had many people tell me they think their taxes are too high and that they want to challenge their assessment.  I usually ask them this question in response – If you were to sell your house tomorrow, would you sell it for less than the full market value listed on your tax assessment?  If the answer is no and you would expect to get more, you are likely not going to challenge your assessment and win.  If your answer is yes, and you think you could likely not sell it for the full market value listed on your assessment, then you should talk to an appraiser and potentially consider a challenge.

Equalization rates, valuation dates, assessed values, full market values, and on and on – it can be quite confusing.  Hopefully, this Q&A will allow you to navigate the terms and procedures and help you understand whether an assessment challenge makes sense for you. 

Matthew J. Dorsey, Esq. is a Partner with O’Connell and Aronowitz, 1 Court St, Saratoga Springs, NY.  Over his 23 years of practice, he has focused in the areas of elder law, estate planning, and estate administration.  Mr. Dorsey can be reached at 518-584-5205, mdorsey@oalaw.com, and www.oalaw.com.

One of the best things you can do for your low back to help prevent pain and injury is to strengthen your core muscles.

When most people think about their core they think about the abdominal muscles but it actually includes groups of muscles found in your back, buttocks, sides and pelvis. These muscles all play key roles in providing stability for your low back.  If these muscles are weak, your body will rely more on surrounding passive structures for stability such as ligaments and the spinal column itself which can lead to injuries such as sprains and injuries of the intervertebral discs.

Strengthening your core muscles will help reduce the strain on your back and provide stability for the spine which will reduce or prevent pain. Strong core muscles can also lead to better balance and help prevent falls. It is important, however, to strengthen all aspects of the core and not just focus on the abs.  Imbalances in core strength can also lead to injuries such as muscle strains. Below are some recommended exercises that will help strengthen all of the core muscles:

It seems like every consumer product these days is rated on a one to five-star scale. Visit your favorite shopping website or store and you cannot help to notice that almost every item imaginable is rated using this star system. But many people do not realize that Medicare Advantage plans are also rated on a five-star scale, reflecting their quality and performance.

So, what makes a Medicare Advantage plan five stars?  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that administers Medicare, reviews Advantage plans each year. Its ratings are based on factors such as: how a plan helps members stay healthy; how it assists in managing long-term health conditions; responsiveness and care; achievement of member satisfaction; and overall customer service. Given the importance of these factors toward an individual’s health, we think every senior should know their Advantage plan’s star rating and keep track of how it changes from year to year.

Here in the Capital Region, we are fortunate to have two insurers offering five-star plans to Medicare beneficiaries in 2021. This is no small matter, as nationally the CMS only awarded 21 insurers the coveted five-star rating this year. In fact, being awarded a five-star rating is such a remarkable achievement, that CMS permits Medicare beneficiaries living in a five-star plan’s area one opportunity to enroll in the plan anytime during the year.

With several five-star plans available in the Capital Region, and the opportunity to join not limited by an enrollment period, no senior in our area should settle for an Advantage plan that they are unhappy with or that does not meet the highest standards. If you feel that your Medicare Advantage experience is not measuring up or could use improvement, please contact Bruce or Logan at Blue Chip in Saratoga at 518-584-8057 or visit our website at www.1bluechip.com. 

We would be happy to walk you through the five-star coverage options available in our region and answer any questions on this important topic.

Seventy percent of people age 65 today will need long-term care at some point in their life.

The odds of at least one spouse needing care jumps to over ninety percent. Planning for the likelihood of needing long-term care should be an important consideration for most retirees. 

The default plan, when you haven’t planned, is that you will pay out of pocket until your assets have been depleted to the point that you qualify for Medicaid. In other words, you’ve become impoverished enough to quality for a social welfare program. 

For people who don’t have heirs, don’t have a spouse, and don’t mind receiving care in a nursing home, this may be a fine plan. For most people, however, other concerns make paying out of pocket an undesirable way to provide for their care.

If you pay out-of-pocket, you’re essentially self-insuring. You’re betting that the risk and cost of long-term care are something you’re willing and able to bear, and if they aren’t that you’re comfortable receiving care in a nursing home. For those who have heirs, a spouse, or who want to stay in their homes, long-term care insurance is the simplest solution for addressing this need. 

People typically purchase long-term care insurance for two reasons. 

Most people want to control the mode of care they receive. In other words, it’s generally desirable to receive care in-home, surrounded by your loved-ones, and in a familiar setting. This allows for a better quality of life than you might otherwise expect in a nursing home. Long-term care insurance allows you to receive care at home, in an assisted living facility, or in nursing home, as your needs demand. 

The second reason people purchase long-term care insurance is to protect their assets for use by a spouse, or to be passed to their heirs. How will your spouse maintain their standard of living after you’ve passed, if you’ve spent all of your assets on your care?

Many people wrongly think that Medicare pays for long-term care insurance, but it does not. Medicaid is the program that would pay for care. 

In order to qualify for Medicaid, you must first spend down your assets to the point that you (and likely, your spouse) are considered impoverished. When applying, you’ll need to show proof that you haven’t given any money away in the last five years, and if you have, it could affect your eligibility. In fact, you will be required to show five years’ worth of monthly statements for every account you’ve held during that period. 

A long-term care policy allows you to have a solution on the shelf for when you need it, and gives you the peace of mind of knowing that, not only will you be taken care of in the manner you desire, but your care won’t be a burden on family, and your assets can be protected. 

It’s best to apply for a long-term care policy in your late fifties or early sixties, when you are likely to still be healthy enough to qualify. Premiums may seem high to many, but when you consider the likelihood of needing care, and the fact that care can cost upward of $100,000 per year, the relative cost of the policies make sense. 

As you get older the risk to you and your family shift from the risks associated with premature death, to the risks associated with failing health. Once your working years have passed, the economic risk of your death often becomes minimal. In consideration of that, redirecting premium dollars away from life insurance and toward long-term care insurance might make sense. 

Long-term care insurance may not be appropriate for everyone, but too many are too quick to dismiss it before they’ve done their due diligence. You owe it to yourself, and your family, to explore your options and make an informed decision about how you wish to receive care in the future.

Stephen Kyne, CFP® is a Partner at Sterling Manor Financial in Saratoga Springs and Rhinebeck. Securities offered through Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Sterling Manor Financial, LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor or Cadaret Grant & Co., Inc. Sterling Manor Financial and Cadaret, Grant are separate entities.