The federal government offers several forms of financial assistance to military veterans and their families through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Programs include disability compensation, pension plans and burial benefits.

Disability compensation is a benefit paid to a veteran due to an injury sustained or disease acquired while on active duty, or aggravated by military service. The amount of compensation depends on the severity of the condition, and whether the veteran is married or has dependents.

Pension benefits are available to veterans age 65 and older who served during a period of war and who have little or no income. Veterans under age 65 who are disabled, in a nursing home or receive disability payments are also eligible. Survivors’ Pension is a benefit paid to a surviving spouse or child of a deceased wartime veteran, who meets certain income requirements.

Aid and Attendance, and Housebound compensation plans are also available. Aid and Attendance benefits are offered to veterans who require the aid of another person to perform daily tasks, are bedridden, in a nursing home, or suffering severe vision loss. Housebound benefits are offered to veterans who have two or more severe disabilities or are confined to their home because of their disability.

Burial benefits available to veterans from the VA include a gravesite in any national cemetery, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a headstone or marker and a burial flag. Spouses and dependents may also be buried with the veteran, and may share the veteran’s headstone. Gravesite and spouse and dependent gravesite benefits are not available at private cemeteries.

A veteran is defined by the government as anyone who has served active duty in the military for any purpose other than training. Combat involvement is not necessary. However, veterans who were dishonorably discharged are not eligible for these benefits.

Several Cleveland organizations offer free assistance to veterans who wish to apply for VA benefits. The Cuyahoga County Veteran’s Service Commission (VSC) acts as a liaison between the VA and the veteran. The VSC also provides additional funds for veterans experiencing hardship. “We have temporary emergency financial assistance available for those who are experiencing an unexpected emergency,” said Rober Schloendorn, VSC executive director.

Respect the Vet specializes in helping veterans apply for the Aid and Attendance benefit. “Up to $2,017 in tax-free benefits are available to veterans, and there is no look-back period for eligibility like there is with Medicaid,” said volunteer Harve Senter.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) also provides application assistance for VA benefits and assists veterans in appealing applications that have been denied.

For more information contact the VA at 800-827-1000, VSC at 216-698-2600, Respect the Vet at 440-285-9588 and MOPH at 216-522-7237.

Click here to read the full article in the Heights Observer.

Aging brings with it some good changes—developing values, building friendships, establishing careers and raising families. Aging can also bring difficult changes—forgetfulness, decrease in strength and energy, illness and injury, and the deaths of loved ones.

It is common for these changes to cause feelings of frustration, anger, sadness and helplessness. Following is a list of tools that people of any age can use to stay peaceful and happy amid whatever loss they may be facing:

• Laughter: Laughter distracts us from sad thoughts and redirects us to clearer thinking. Watch a funny movie or a comedy show; get together with people who make you laugh; join a laughter club.
• Gratitude: Focusing on the good things in our lives lessens the grip of bad things. Every evening write down five things that you’re thankful for that happened that day.
• Positive Thinking: We bring into our lives what we think about most. Visualize and talk about the things you want, rather than complaining about what you don’t have.
• Positive Language: Negative words make us feel bad, while positive words inspire us. Replace the words horrible, bad, terrible, and problem with the word challenge orchallenging. Eliminate the word hate.
• Present Moment: Try not to lament about what you’ve lost, or worry about what may happen later. Do your best with what you have now.
• Morning Reflection: Every morning, pray or meditate and ask for help to get through your day. This will help you gain focus and strength to face your challenges.
• Sleep: Proper rest helps us feel stronger and think more clearly. The Mayo Clinic recommends that adults get 7–9 hours of sleep per day. If you have trouble sleeping through the night, take naps to make up the time.
• Healthy Eating: The USDA My Plate program is an easy way to track how many calories you need and which foods to eat.
• Exercise: Regular exercise improves health, mood, energy and sleep. Find an easy program that is suitable for your level of ability, such as yoga, tai chi or water aerobics.
• Get Outside: Connecting with nature is calming and uplifting. Go for a walk or sit on the front porch.
• Take a Class: Learning something new is a great way to re-energize your enthusiasm. Sign up for a class at the senior center or YMCA.
• Help Others: Volunteering, teaching a class, or forming a support group are ways to help others in need, and help you appreciate your abilities.

If you’re still feeling down, you may be suffering from depression. This is common among older adults, and nothing to feel ashamed about. Ask a mental health professional for help.

Mark Twain once said, “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” While we can’t always change a situation, we can always change how we think and act in that situation.

Click here to read the full article in the Heights Observer.

Arthritis is a chronic, often painful disease that affects the joints of the body. There are more than 100 forms of arthritis, but according to the Arthritis Foundation (AF) the two most common among older adults are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

OA is a characterized by a breakdown of cartilage that protects the bones. The bones then begin to rub against each other, causing stiffness and pain. RA is an autoimmune disease that attacks the protective membrane that lines the joints. Fluid then builds up in the joints, causing inflammation and pain. OA affects one or more joints in the body, while RA affects the entire body, as well as the internal organs.

The AF states that arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United States. Sixty-five percent of Americans with arthritis are over the age of 65. Of those, 60 percent are women. There are nearly 1.5 million people living with arthritis in Northeast Ohio.

“People with arthritis often feel there is nothing they can do to relieve their pain, but there is actually a lot they can do,” said Kelly Donahue, program and public awareness manager for the Northeast Ohio branch of the AF.  Said Donahue, “Research has proven that the best thing people with arthritis can do to control their pain and prevent further deterioration of the joints is to exercise.”

The AF recommends gentle stretching and range-of-motion exercises. They have developed three exercise programs especially for people with arthritis, offered at 225 locations in Northeast Ohio. They include a land-based exercise program, an aquatic program and tai chi classes. All of these programs strengthen the muscles around the joints, which helps to protect the joints, making them healthier and reducing the pain.

The AF exercise and aquatic programs are offered at Judson Park in Cleveland, and the tai chi program will be offered at Church of the Redeemer in Cleveland Heights starting in September. More locations are listed on the AF website at www.arthritis.org/media/chapters/orv/neoh/Program%20Calendar412.pdf. One should consult with a doctor before beginning any new exercise program.

Fortunately, there are several steps one to take to prevent arthritis. Avoiding joint injury and over-use, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising regularly help lower one’s risk of developing OA. While the causes of RA are unknown, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising have been identified as factors that can lower the risk for the disease.

For more information, contact the AF at 216-831-7000, Judson Park at 216-791-2393 and Church of the Redeemer at 216-932-2065.

Click here to read the full article in the Heights Observer.

According to the Department of Senior and Adult Services (DSAS), the provider of Adult Protective Services (APS) for Cuyahoga County, there were 3,426 cases of alleged elder abuse reported last year. The problem, however, may be even larger than that. The National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (NCPEA) estimates that 84% of incidents are not reported to authorities.

There are several forms of elder abuse: physical, sexual, psychological, financial, neglect and self-neglect. Self-neglect accounted for the majority of the cases reported to APS last year, followed by caretaker neglect. Self-neglect is not voluntary. It occurs when an impairment prevents the senior from adequately taking care of him or herself.

Many people are afraid to report suspected elder abuse because they don’t want to meddle, or are afraid of the consequences if their suspicions are wrong. The Ohio Revised Code, however, which governs the actions of the APS, allows abuse reports to be given anonymously and also protects reporters from punishment.

APS protects those seniors who are living independently. Those living in group facilities are protected by the Long Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO). Like the APS, reports to the LTCO can be made anonymously.

There are a few ways in which we can help protect the elderly in our community. Linda Noelker, senior vice president of the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging (BRI), recommends that neighbors be vigilant and note any unusual activity. “Be in communication with your older neighbors,” she recommended. “Get to know what’s normal for them.”

Georgia Anetzberger, NCPEA president, suggests that neighbors be alert for the following warning signs: suspicious bruises, unkempt appearance, neglect of house or yard, change in finances and unfamiliar visitors.

The Cleveland Heights Office on Aging (OA) offers several safeguards to protect our elders: employees of their Meals on Wheels and transportation services check in on  seniors daily; they can recommend reputable home care agencies; and they can also help seniors obtain an emergency alert system.

The Cleveland Heights Home Repair Resource Center (HRRC) has a new senior repair specialist who helps seniors find reputable contractors and get fair estimates, and ensure that the repair work is done correctly.

According to APS, financial exploitation of elders is on the rise. On July 25, BRI is hosting a forum on financial protection for older adults to address this issue. Contact BRI for more information at 216-791-8000.

If you suspect elder abuse, please report it. Call the APS 24-hour hotline at 216-420-6700, or the LTCO at 800-365-3112.

You can reach NCPEA at 646-462-3603, OA at 216-691-7377, and HRRC at 216-381-6100 ext. 22.

Click here to read the full article in the Heights Observer.