YOUR STORY COUNTS. Everyone's story is unique and carries possibility for others, whether a close friend or a stranger. Do you have a situation that changed you? Did you learn something profound and life-changing through personal experience? Is there some wisdom you have that someone like you should not be without? Create your own Silver Page, share your story and reach out to people just like you.
JoAnne Farris > Wii Makes a big Splash with Seniors!
My Story
Three Rings Assisted is a beautiful new residential care home in Fort Worth, Texas. With experienced care givers and loving staff, Three Rings will fill up fast.
Residential care homes benefit those needing one on one care and attention. Call now to schedule a tour!
Lewisville Senior Center > Lewisville Senior Center - Part 2
My Story
NORA ELIZABETH TODD was born Wednesday, July 9th, 1902. The daughter of William & Mary Lilly Brewer Todd. Nora Todd married Ashley M. Binkley. Ashley was born July 24th, 1893. He died November 24th, 1926, possibly of tuberculosis. He was only 33 years old. They had one child, a girl named Metzal. Metzal married Harold Doub (featured on birthday video) and they had three girls; Pamela, (deceased), Marcia and Karen, (featured on birthday video).
Nora had two wonderful husbands, Ashley Binkley and Andrew Holder, and a loving daughter, Metzal. Miss Nora has 3 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and 5 great great grandchildren. Nora is a member of Warners Chapel Church of Christ. She was baptized when she was 28 years old. Nora said she remembered that she and her sister would walk to church services on Sunday morning. At night they used lanterns to light their way while walking to services.
People say Nora is one of the sweetest ladies at The Elms of Tanglewood in North Carolina.
Christopher Everett > What Happens if I Die Without a Will?
My Story
What is Intestacy?
If you die without a will, your property will be divided amongst your surviving spouse and surviving relatives according to the law of intestacy. Intestacy is the law’s ‘best guess’ as to how you would have wanted to distribute your property if you had written a will. Without a will, however, a court will not look at what you actually intended and will distribute your property according to the law of intestacy regardless of your actual wishes. The following fact scenarios will consider estates with property that does not have a joint right of survivorship or contractual agreement.
Who Will Get My Property Under Intestacy?
I am currently married and my current spouse is the mother/father or all of my children, or is related to all of my decedents.
Under Texas intestacy law, all of your community property (both personal and real) will go to your surviving spouse. Generally, the personal property which you own yourself (separate property) will be split up. Your spouse will be given one third of your separate property and the other two thirds will be split between your children, grandchildren or other descendents.
I am currently married with children from another marriage.
Under Texas intestacy law your spouse will receive their one-half interest in the community property, and your descendants (those not biologically or adopted by your current spouse) will receive the other one-half of your property. Separate property, property not owned by the husband and wife in community, will be distributed in the manner of two-thirds going to your descendants and one-third to your spouse. This does not include accounts with joint right of survivor or accounts with beneficiaries. Please consult an attorney for further explanation or information regarding your estate.
I am not currently married and I have one or more children, grandchildren or other descendents.
Under Texas intestacy law all of your property, both real and personal, will be split evenly among your children, grandchildren or other descendents.
None of These Examples Exactly Describe My Situation.
These examples are not an exclusive list. In Texas, intestacy is a complicated issue which can be further complicated by children with a person other than your spouse, children which you do not know about, or a number of other issues. You should speak with an attorney to determine exactly what will happen to your property under intestacy and if you should consider writing a will.
Keep in mind, the law of intestacy is strict and ignores your actual intent. If you are separated, or even in the process of getting a divorce, from your spouse intestacy will still give your property to your spouse under the intestacy scheme. The same is true if you are on bad terms with, or even if you are unaware of, a biological child.
Christopher Everett
Christopher Everett > Ancillary Estate Planning Documents
My Story
You’ve made a Will, but what else is there?
A will is a document made by a competent adult to designate to whom the person’s property will be given at his or her death, but there are many estate planning issues which will not be coved by a will alone. A will does not, for example, tell what should happen to the person’s property in the event that they become physically or mentally incapable of making decisions about their finances and medical care. These situations may be solved by the creation of a Medical Power of Attorney, a Living Will, a Durable Power of Attorney or a Declaration of Guardianship. Combined with a will, these documents will help you develop a strong estate plan.
Medical Power of Attorney
A medical power of attorney is a document made by a competent adult (the principal) designating a trusted person (the agent) to make health care decisions on the principal’s behalf in the event that the principal is declared incompetent by the principal’s attending physician. The agent cannot, however, override a principal’s Living Will (see below). A medical power of attorney can go on indefinitely or be made for a specific period of time or even be revoked by the principal upon recovery.
Living Will
A living will is a document which sets of which life-sustaining techniques should, or should not, be used in the event that the principal needs them. A living will can allow, or disallow, for example: the use of life support, antibiotics, medications, kidney dialysis and other life-sustaining techniques. A living will can be used with a medical power of attorney to set parameters for the agent’s actions.
Durable Power of Attorney
A durable power of attorney is a document made by a competent adult (the principal) which may be used to designate a trusted person (the agent) to engage in specified business transactions on behalf of the principal in the event that the principal becomes incapacitated. A durable power of attorney may be used to deal with banks, landlords, stock brokers, etc, in the event that the principal becomes physically or mentally incapacitated.
Declaration of Guardianship
A declaration of guardianship is also a good document to execute. This document, made by a competent adult, designates a trusted individual to become guardian in the event of incapacity. The existence of declaration of guardianship can help to clarify and ease the confusion and conflict which may otherwise arise in a contested guardianship situation.
My Story
I moved my Mother from out of state to Texas because my Father had passed away and she wanted to be close to family. She had lived in a wonderful "retirement community" which I was unable to duplicate here in Dallas. This was a HUGE decision because my Mother had lived in that area for almost 30 years and had a network of friends, activities and fine medical care. My Mom had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s but it was in the very early, almost undetectable, stages. So began a journey of finding the right place for my Mom.
The first place I chose was a very elegant assisted living. I was expecting my Mother to make friends and a new life as though she were much younger. This was not going to happen as she was elderly, used to her old routine and was showing early signs of dementia. I hadn't anticipated this and she was made to move to the "full nursing skilled floor" because of dementia and falling problems. This was VERY pre-mature as the dementia hadn't progressed and I did not consider her to be an invalid.
So - I moved her to another assisted living place - much smaller and appeared more caring with promise of letting my Mother age in place comfortably. Within a month, my mother's condition declined rapidly - I had anticipated the opposite. I attribute this, in part, to over-medication prescribed by a new Dr. associated with the home. However, she was falling constantly and was needing more care. She was made to move again to the Alzheimer’s Unit - the only place available for increased care levels. Here, she declined even more rapidly and was put on Hospice. The care was adequate but she was left alone a lot because of a small staff. In addition, this home could not provide all the comforts because they were restricted by regulations that would not allow such aids as "geri chairs" or hospital beds. My Mother was put on a "mechanical" diet - not because she couldn't chew, but for the convenience of the staff at meal time. I finally decided to move my poor Mother again, when she fell out of bed and was left on the floor - head bleeding, an untreated sore on her toe was discovered - and an outbreak of Scabies.
Once again, I began a search. At this point I was now looking for a place for an invalid Mother, not the one I had originally moved from out of state. In addition, my Mother could hardly communicate but showed some positive signs if she could speak in Spanish. I later realized that that was her first language, even though she was an American. By some miracle, I found A Perfect Solution and their placement specialists guided me to the final perfect place for my dear Mother. The place was a small home setting with 2 care-givers (who mostly spoke Spanish) and 6 residents. All of my Mother's physical comforts were provided by the loving and caring staff along with the help of a wonderful Hospice team. My Mother was never out of the sights of the care-givers and her every need was met. The bonus was she had home cooked meals, that were not pureed, and she could communicate somewhat! Unfortunately, she was only able to be there 5 months as she passed away, but those last 5 months were the best they could have been under the circumstances.
My advice: When planning for your loved ones future, take into consideration every facet of their being - social, physical, emotional and spiritual. Anticipate the "worst case scenario" and how they will best be cared for if they decline. Rely on a Dr. not associated with the facility. There are many Hospices - be discerning. Visit often! Join a support group and get to know the families of the other residents. Most of all - remember this - you are not alone!!!
My Story
My special friend just celebrated her 90th birthday! I wanted to let the world know how blessed we are to have her! Happy birthday and wishes for many more!
Ms. Gladys lives every day with a positive attitude and a love for the Lord.
My Story
I remember people saying that retirement life was the end of the road. I was always very nervous about the dreaded age when life ends - but not anymore. Even with the enconomy changing our travel around the world plans, I have found so much enjoyment making new friends and doing new things. The Silver Files website has been great in helping me find different activities and places to go. Who knew there was so much to do!
Don't sit around and complain about aches and pains! Get out and do somethig for someone else - it is so fulfilling and before long those aches and pains just aren't that bad! Be a happy senior and show these young people that we still have what it takes to be a powerul presence in this world! If your my age you have lived through a lot of hard times - but we made it and we will continue to make it !!! I am a senior and I am PROUD!
SPOTLIGHT SILVER STORY
"Selecting A Senior Center"
Nancy Martin Executive Director Mineral Wells Senior Center
