The Villages Florida, Summer 2022

OurSeniors.Net is proud of its in-print and online magazine for seniors. We try hard to be one of the best magazines for seniors available in the state of Florida. Wherever you live in our great state, the chances are that OurSeniors.Net and our services are available to you. To better serve the needs of seniors and their families, we have always divided the wider area that we serve into several smaller service areas. This enables our staff to better serve the needs of seniors who reside in each of these locations. We recognize that the interests and concerns of South Florida seniors may be different from
those living in Central Florida or the Villages area. Recently, we have made a few additions and changes to those service areas. Here is a complete rundown on our new configuration, each with its custom edition of our senior living magazine. Northeast Florida includes Duval, Nassau, Clay, Putnam, and the newly added St. Johns
County. This is a great place for seniors to visit or live. The city of St. Augustine is home to many unique attractions. In fact, St Augustine is an attraction itself; it is the oldest city in the U.S. Stop some time and visit the oldest schoolhouse in the nation. Seniors find the golf, beaches, and historical sites to be among the best in Florida Central Florida has added Lake County to its group, which also includes Volusia, Orange, Seminole, Flagler, Osceola, and Polk. Of course, Orange County is the home of SeaWorld, but Volusia and Flagler offer miles of beautiful beaches, while this group’s other counties are home to a growing number of Our Seniors.
Recently, OurSeniors.Net won the VolusiaFlagler County SCORE Non-Profit Client of the Year for 2021. This was a team effort that speaks to our dedication to delivering valuable resources to the senior and retiree communities.
The recognition motivates our group to continue the good work for years to come. The South Florida edition of our senior living magazine is aimed at seniors in the Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. The Miami-Dade area is the home of one of our nation’s largest and most diverse concentrations of Hispanic and Caribbean
cultures. Of course, our senior living magazine, OurSeniors.Net Magazine has been previously published in a Spanish language version. Charlotte, Lee, and Collier Counties make up the Southwest Florida coverage area. This area offers a wide range of attractions and amenities for seniors. Many of these places have become world-famous attractions for seniors and young adults alike. Consider a bike ride on Sanibel Island for nature lovers, or a visit to the Ringling Museum of Sarasota for art connoisseurs. The Tampa Bay group includes Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Manatee Counties. Beach vacations are meant to be barefoot, and Clearwater Beach is set up perfectly for a car-free experience. In urban Tampa, the Ybor City area offers a glimpse into the Cuban, Spanish, and Italian heritage of the state. It is filled with the authentic cuisine of these cultures. Lastly, Sumpter and Marion Counties now comprise The Villages coverage area. This area is known nationwide as the home of senior communities and activities. The Villages consist of over 70 smaller units, or “villages,” ranging in size from about 100 to 1600 homes. Maybe the best way to get around the Villages is by golf cart, and that fact gives you a clue to
the lifestyle and the senior living resources found here.
OurSeniors.Net’s service areas and the regionalized coverage editions of the OurSeniors.Net Magazine are designed to better serve the needs of seniors. That is what we do. Our senior living magazine covers important news for seniors, the pros and cons of living in Florida, finding senior living resources, resources for elderly living alone and many other topics of interest to seniors. If you are a business or professional service provider and want to market your product or service before a targeted audience of seniors, please see our Contact Page or phone us at 866-333-2657 ext. 2. Thanks for reading our blog, visiting our website, and patronizing our Approved Vendors. Drop by one of our Lunch and Learn events to meet some of the OurSeniors.Net staff in person.

If you haven’t looked into hearing aids in the last couple of years due to cost or appearance, or have been putting off your hearing health due to accessibility constraints, it’s time to discover what’s available in the market for you today. Just like all technology that we rely on in this world, hearing aids have progressed to be faster, smaller, more sophisticated and more affordable. In terms of services, and the onset of remote working, people are demanding a more seamless way to interact with their physicians and licensed health professionals without having to leave the comfort of their homes. Chances are you or someone you know has hearing loss. The National Institute on Deafness
states that one in three people in the US between the ages of 65 and 74 have hearing difficulties, and nearly half of those older than 75 suffer from hearing loss. This is not just a baby boomer epidemic, hearing loss affects all age groups. A WHO report forecasted that 1.1 billion teens and young adults will permanently injure their hearing due to excessive use of headphones and attending loud social events. The good news is that nearly 95% of people with common hearing loss can be treated with a simple solution: hearing aids. Now, what technologies and features are available, and what is being developed to make them “cool” for everyone to use? In the last 5 years, hearing aid technology has improved significantly. Standard features now include rechargeable batteries, directional microphones to reduce background noise,
feedback cancellation for an easier listening experience, they’re more comfortable and discreet to wear and most are Bluetooth enabled to make self-adjustments through your smartphone. The most advanced devices keep
track of your physical health, monitor your heart rate, stream the audio from your television, and even connect with your smartphone to take calls. Modern technologies used for monitoring vital signs in wearables, like smartwatches, will soon be applied to hearing aids. Soon hearing aids will monitor one’s blood pressure, identify heart attacks and include fall detection capabilities. During these emergencies, your smartphone that is connected to the hearing aids will contact first responders with your location and share your status with them. Before you go out and purchase a $5,000 pair of hearing aids, consider your options in the market and what features you want. Most people who have bought the most expensive, cutting-edge hearing aids end up not using most of these enhanced features. For the non-tech savvy, too many features can be unnecessary and overwhelming to use. Also, most health insurance policies and Medicare do not cover the cost of hearing aids or hearing evaluations from Audiologists. Since the pandemic, primary care and licensed hearing specialists
are utilizing telehealth as a replacement for office visits. This is mostly driven by the increased willingness and demand of their clients and patients to try telehealth. With the onset of Zoom and other virtual services to connect people “face to face”, it seems as though everyone has utilized these tools and are comfortable with using them. This is especially true for those that live in assisted care facilities, retirement communities or are dependent on in-home care. It can be challenging for these individuals and the facilities themselves to schedule off-site appointments because of transportation barriers, skilled labor shortages or managing the potential liability that comes with safeguarding a high-risk population. If you just want to hear better and your priorities are value, convenience and customer service. There are hearing aid companies that now provide a comprehensive suite of telehealth services and solutions directly to
the consumer, saving them thousands of dollars. Some provide free professional online hearing tests and consultations with licensed hearing specialists to evaluate your hearing needs. When seeking these services, be sure to ask about their free licensed hearing care consultations, if they offer free warranties with their hearing aids, free trial periods, and loss and damage coverage. A rapid shift to telehealth hearing care services could also be a great equalizer for a generation of people and socioeconomic status who are finding it more challenging to access affordable hearing care solutions, like hearing aids. Some 28.8 million Americans could benefit from wearing hearing aids, however, fewer than 16% wear them. And of those age 70 and older who could benefit from wearing hearing aids, fewer than 30% have ever used them. These depressing
statistics can be reversed with the onset of quality telehealth hearing care services and affordable hearing aid solutions that are available in the market today. There are solutions and if you are interested, there is a Special Offer
just for OurSeniors just visit here: ourseniors.net/rxhearing-aids-incspecial-offer-just-for-ourseniors/

Any donation would help us tremendously as we continue to produce the magazines for older adults and provide free resources to seniors across Florida.

Please visit https://www.ourseniors.org/fundraiser/ to see more about what you can do to help or call at 800-647-0868. OurSeniors.org also provides a senior living magazine online full of great resources at no cost as a part of our non-profit services.

It is estimated that 1 in 10 people are victims of online scams each year. Advancements in internet usage that are meant to make people’s lives easier have made it an opportune hunting ground for savvy cyber criminals to prey on vulnerable groups of people, especially the senior and retired communities. Cyber criminals are becoming more inventive and are finding efficient ways to trick people into providing sensitive information that can leave thousands to deal with dire situations. For a long time, people were encouraged to look out for online scams during tax season, but it’s become apparent that online scams happen year-round. And they are a booming business. Look for the Tell-Tale Signs There are specific patterns that online scammers follow to steal your identity or money. Knowing how to spot these patterns is a great way of avoiding the nightmare that may come from dealing with fraudulent and nefarious groups and individuals: 1) Gaining Your Trust One of the easiest ways to scam somebody is to gain their trust in person or online. Anyone can gain trust by pretending to be a respected official, community member, business owner and
more. You must take the time to verify someone’s credentials. Google is a great resource that allows you to find out if someone legitimately is who he or she
claims to be. 2) Tugging on Your Fears Messages like “Respond to this message or the IRS will place alien against your home” or “Act now to avoid wage garnishment” are used by scammers to instill fear in you and trick you into
logging into a fake website that is set up to skim your username and password. Scammers will then use your information to log onto a real website and steal your money. 3) Contacts You Randomly When you receive an SMS, email,
phone call or a letter that you did not expect, you must proceed with caution even when the message that you received seems innocent. Scammers are looking for you to take action by responding to something you believe is legitimate. Find the accurate contact by checking the web and take your own action. 4) Asks for Your Information If you are asked to provide your personal information (address, social security, driver’s license, PIN, etc.) you need to also treat it with caution. Social security scams are on the rise and becoming more sophisticated. They cost U.S. taxpayers billions of dollars each year. A great piece of advice is to think about who initiated the contact. If they contacted you first, don’t provide any information until you are certain of their legitimacy. 5) Promises Compensation One of the most popular scams out there involves compensation and then a request for a refund. For example, a scammer can
provide you a cash payment in advance (for goods or services) and then reach out to you indicating that they overpaid. You return a specific sum of money
and then later find that the original payment to you has been canceled. 6) Pretends to Be a Family Member Another popular online scam involves social media or email in which a scammer contacts you and pretends to be a family
member in need of emergency financial assistance. These scams involve two parts – the first part is setting up a fake account (e.g., Facebook or email) and then contacting you from this account asking for help. Unfortunately, many people fall for this scam, wiring money only to find out later on that your actual family member was home safe and didn’t need any assistance at all. 7) Provides Wire Transfer Info Whenever possible, avoid wire transfers altogether. Any time
someone asks you to transfer money by wire, the funds will be untraceable. As soon as it’s picked up on the other end, the money is gone. Some credit cards will allow you to dispute a fraudulent charge for up to 60 days, but this could be
troublesome in many cases and require you to provide proof. If you feel you might have been a victim of an online scam and need guidance in filling out forms to get your money back, we encourage you to reach out to attorneys Wendy Mara (https://ourseniors.net/legal/florida/ormond-beach/business-law/
wendy-a-mara/) and Andrew Grant (https://ourseniors.net/legal/florida/daytona-beach/business-law/andrew-c-grant/), members of the OurSeniors.org Senior Transition Pro Team. You can also report any suspicious online activity to one of several offices that serve counties in Florida (https://www.fbi.gov/contactus/field-offices) or (https://www.ic3.gov/Home/ComplaintChoice). Even if you are uncertain whether you or someone you know has been victimized by an online scam, you can be of tremendous help by alerting the authorities to assist in
preventing others from falling prey to these attacks. Since 2016, OurSeniors.Net has been providing the senior and retiree communities in Florida with excellent resources to help enrich lives with content from our talented and dedicated staff as well as our trusted partners. Check out our quarterly senior living magazine, follow us on Facebook, or read our blog for up-to-date information on mental & physical health, social life, economy and legal issues as they relate to your
well-being. We look forward to you becoming a part of our community and encouraging others to be a part of our thriving group.

When most people think of a homestead in Florida their first and only thought is of Florida’s property tax exemption for homesteads. While that is a good and valuable aspect of Florida’s homestead laws, it is only one part. Florida really has three different types of homesteads, and each functions differently in operation and effect. The three types are: homestead for property tax purposes;
homestead for creditor exemption purposes; and homestead for inheritance purposes. Florida’s homestead for property tax exemption purposes can provide significant savings for Florida homeowners. The base exemption is $50,000 deducted off the assessed value of the homestead, but the better benefit is the cap that is imposed on how much the assessed value can increase each year. That cap means that even as the value of the homestead increases each year the property appraiser can only increase the taxable value a little, and over time that beneficial disparity can mean large property tax savings. Further, the capped assessed value can be transferred to a new homestead if the old one is sold. To get the homestead property tax benefits the owner must be a permanent Florida resident and apply with the county Property Appraiser. The Appraiser then determines whether the applicant is a permanent Florida resident by considering some factors including: where the applicant is registered to vote; where the applicant works; whether the applicant has a valid Florida driver’s license or state-issued identification; whether the applicant has a vehicle registered in Florida; and the address the applicant uses to open bank accounts.
Once granted, the exemption is in place and there is no need to do anything to renew each year so long as it remains the Florida owner’s primary residence.
Less commonly known, or understood, is the Florida homestead that is exempt from creditors. To qualify for this the owner needs to be a permanent Florida resident (meaning Florida is the owner’s home and whenever he or she leaves they intend to return here). If that’s the case, then the owner has a Florida
homestead that is exempt from almost all creditors. There’s nothing else that needs to be done; it just is as a matter of law under the Florida Constitution. There are limitations, however. If the homestead is outside a municipality, then the exemption applies only up to 160 acres of contiguous property. If the homestead is in a municipality, then the exemption applies only up to one-half of an acre. The protection from creditors is almost absolute with a few notable exceptions. Homesteads are not protected against creditors who have a direct interest in the property, like a bank that holds the mortgage or a worker who files a lien for unpaid work performed on the property. Homesteads are also not protected from the IRS for unpaid federal taxes. Finally, homesteads may not be
protected if they are held in a revocable trust and the grantor enters into bankruptcy. The exemption from creditors also means that the Florida homestead does not count against the owner for determining Medicaid eligibility
so long as the owner intends to return to it and it isn’t rented to a third party while the owner is in a care facility. The homestead also is not a probate asset subject to the owner’s creditors provided the person inheriting the property is
a qualified heir under Florida law, such as a surviving spouse, children, grandchildren, or more distant relatives. If the inheritor is not a qualified heir, or if the deceased owner expressly directs the sale of the homestead in his or her will, then the property will be a probate asset subject to the owner’s creditors.
The third type of Florida homestead puts restrictions on how the property passes at the death of the owner. If there is only one owner, and if the owner is married, then only the homestead can only be left to the surviving spouse. If the owner has minor children, then the property cannot even be left to the surviving spouse. The spouse automatically gets a lifetime right to reside on the property
and the children get the right to own the property after the spouse dies. Most married couples co-own their homestead, so the issue does not come up very often, but it bears mentioning especially for couples in blended families with children from different marriages. Florida homestead laws are fairly unique compared to other states. On the one hand, Florida grants generous property tax exemptions and creditor protections. On the other hand, it can direct how the homestead passes at the owner’s death despite what the owner may wish. To properly prepare a Florida estate plan, it’s important to be aware of the different homestead types and to consult with a professional who understands them.

As people get older, they must remain physically active to prevent many of the health and mental issues that come with age. But regular physical activity does not have to be limited to vigorous exercise. Many people find ways to stay active by giving back to the community. It’s a great way to meet other people with shared interests and strengthens social bonds. A great opportunity to give back is just around the corner. Election season is here! And it’s never too early to register to vote and to get involved with the Florida election process in one of many roles. While casting votes in the primary and general elections is the most common way for seniors and retirees to contribute to the democratic process, many choose to volunteer to become poll workers. In fact, according to a Pew Research Center study of the 2018 General Election, approximately 58% of poll
volunteers were 61 years of age or older. There is a tremendous need for volunteers to ensure election integrity is maintained across the nation and seniors can help by volunteering to volunteer for one of the numerous positions for the upcoming election. In Florida, a variety of assignments are available throughout Election Day, but there are also several opportunities in the days leading up to the election, including clerk, assistant clerk, machine manager, inspector, and precinct deputy. What Are the Responsibilities for Each Position?
Clerk – The clerk’s main responsibility is to oversee all operations at a polling location. In the days leading up to the election, the clerk must contact all workers, pick up supplies, and help to set up polling equipment, tables, and chairs. The clerk Is also responsible for verifying voter eligibility, updating addresses, administering provisional ballots, and transmitting ballot totals after
the polls close. Assistant Clerk – The assistant clerk reports directly to the clerk
and serves as a backup for any of the other worker positions. He or she will also help set up voting equipment, work with the call center to verify voter eligibility,
make sure all required forms are filled out correctly, and assist in closing down the polling location after the polls close. The assistant may also be assigned special duties by the clerk. Machine Manager – This is a specialized role that requires technical responsibility. While each position requires some training before Election Day, people that apply for machine manager generally have prior technical experience. The machine manager’s main responsibility is to set up voting equipment and provide onsite technical support. In addition to setting up and taking down equipment, the manager is also responsible for transporting the ballots to a designated site after the polls close. Inspector – The inspector’s main responsibility is to “check-in” voters through the use of an Electronic Voter Identification Device (EVID). The inspector is likely the first person voters will
speak to upon arriving at a polling location and will verify voter eligibility, provide documentation so that a voter receives his or her ballot, and assist with the takedown activities at the end of the day. Precinct Deputy – The role of the precinct deputy is to maintain order at the polling location. The precinct deputy designates the “no political activity” outside of the polling location, distributes
supplies on Election Day, and ensures the polling place is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In rare cases, the precinct deputy will
have to inform law enforcement to help maintain order at a high traffic polling location. As you can see, the election process is a group effort with many overlapping responsibilities. But it’s certainly a great way to stay active and get involved in the community while ensuring election integrity. Poll workers are
paid for each class they attend for their training, but the selection process can be competitive from one precinct to the next.

Election dates for 2022 are:
• August 23, 2022, for the
Primary Election.
The registration deadline is
July 25, 2022.
• November 8, 2022, for the
General Election. The registration deadline is October 11, 2022.

But it is never too early to send in your application to volunteer to work the election. Check with your county office for more information. Remember this is a
great way to answer the call of civic duty and have fun while doing so! The team here at OurSeniors.Net aims to bring useful and entertaining information that
enhances the quality of life for our senior and retiree communities. Check out our senior living magazine online, our Facebook page, or our quarterly senior
lifestyle magazine for great content to help you and your loved ones lead happier and fuller lives.

OurSeniors.Net strives to be a go-to resource for seniors, serving their needs in all possible ways. For many seniors, one of their most important requirements is to attain affordable help in dealing with hearing loss. With that in mind, OurSeniors.Net is extremely pleased to welcome Rx Hearing Aid to its family of senior-friendly services, products, and professionals. Rx Hearing Aids and OurSeniors.Net are a perfect fit. Our two organizations share common goals and missions. Both are devoted to serving the needs of seniors and improving their wellbeing and quality of life. For OurSeniors.Net, this means our publications, websites, social media and service activities. For Rx Hearing Aids, it means applying today’s modern technology to a market where, in the past, high prices and complex procedures have often locked seniors out. Hearing loss affects about 48 million people in the United States, and seniors are especially
vulnerable. About one-third of seniors aged 65 to 74 have some loss of hearing and one-half of those older than 75 have hearing difficulty. This disability has serious consequences, affecting both emotional and physical health as well as quality of life. Numerous studies have confirmed that hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive disorders, and balance problems. For decades, the market for high quality, medical-grade hearing aids has been dominated by a small number of companies who kept prices artificially high. Not only were the prices for hearing
aids themselves high but medical grade hearing aids could be obtained only after a series of medical and audiological exams. These examinations often involved numerous in-person office visits and sophisticated tests. For many seniors, the path to a quality hearing aid was too complicated and too expensive. This procedure was mandated by government regulation, but now that has ended. Now, Rx Hearing can offer a complete off-the-shelf package of
professional services and medicalgrade hearing aids at savings of up to 80%. This includes free hearing tests that once required visits to an office with audiometry equipment. Rx Hearing allows these audiometry hearing tests to be
done online, using the same tonal testing to determine if a customer’s hearing is within normal limits. This testing will diagnose the faintest tones a person can hear at varying pitches or frequencies across the range of human speech. Using this information, Rx Hearing’s in-house licensed hearing specialists provide free
consultations with the customer to determine their hearing needs. They will discuss different types of hearing loss, answer questions about their hearing aids, and then make an expert recommendation based on the client’s hearing
needs. This is all done remotely via Zoom or phone. Their hearing aids are not merely sound amplifiers, they are FDA Registered, preprogrammed hearing aids that will meet the needs of those with mild to moderate hearing loss. A single-point telehealth hearing care solution enables Rx Hearing to provide these free
comprehensive services throughout the country. Their long-term relationship with hearing aid manufacturers can also save their customers money while getting the latest technologies and advancements in hearing aids. These services can help both current hearing aid users and first-time users. If you’re a current hearing aid user, the Rx Hearing Aid professional staff can offer you a free second opinion. If they feel that your symptoms require further medical care, they will refer you to the proper audiologist or ear, nose and throat medical
specialist in your area. These services come without the difficulty, frustration, and expense of repeated office visits. The sophisticated electronics and components in their devices are identical to hearing aids that cost over $3,000 in the market today. They also include many of the new features available in modern hearing aids like Bluetooth connectivity, rechargeable batteries, and smartphone apps to adjust the hearing aids settings and contact customer support with a touch of a button. Rx Hearing Aid provides outstanding follow-up services including a free two-year warranty, free two years of consultations
and care, and two years of loss and damage replacement coverage. All of this comes in one low-cost package, helping seniors to feel secure and confident in this important part of senior life- good hearing! Thank you and welcome aboard,
Rx Hearing Aid, Inc! The OurSeniors.Net family is proud to have you as its newest member. We share the core values of helping seniors in every way possible. Your innovation in the hearing aid market is going to make affordable and professional hearing care accessible to thousands of seniors who could
not otherwise access it. It is truly a modern-day miracle, made possible by technology, innovation, and a desire to serve our seniors!