Cindy's Blog

I know I talk a lot about dementia and other forms of memory loss.  That's because it is a big and growing issue among our population.  I almost said 'among seniors', but the fact is that the Alzheimer's Association estimates that there are 500,000 Americans younger than 65 with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.  I think it's probably one of the biggest fears that many of us have, especially those who have seen the effects of it on family members. 

So, I also like to talk about ways to delay the onset of dementia.  As part of my 'research' for this entry, I just spent the better part of an hour playing online memory games.  I was testing them out for you. . . no really.

When I Googled 'brain games', I was shown 456 million results.  I admit, I only got through the first three or four, but I'm sure the rest of them are wonderful too.  AARP had some interesting games, my favorite being "Private Eye", where you pick out the symbol that doesn't belong.  It may sound easy, but not when you increase the difficulty meter.

Luminosity.com has some good ones too, but for the full assortment, they want you to subscribe to their website.  To me, that's code for "We're going to fill your inbox with unwanted emails".  I'm not saying they will, I'm just thinking of past experience with others.

Whatever you do to keep building synapses in your brain, just keep doing it.  My understanding is that the more you do, and the more varied the types of activities, the better.

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Business owners know that it's easier to get information about how customers feel about their service from those who keep coming back.  The ones who don't, often won't tell you, they just stop showing up and you may never know why.   

With my business, it's more a question of why people are reluctant to see me in the first place, and I have my suspicions.

Fear#1  "We're afraid you'll try to sell us something we don't want."   

My goal in working with people is to educate them, not sell them.  I want to be sure they have all the information they need to make a decision, whether that decision is to get long term care insurance or not.   

What most of my clients want to know about long term care insurance is: what does it cost, what are the benefits, and will I qualify or not?

Fear #2   "We don't know what it costs to meet with you for a consultation (and are afraid to ask)." 

Not a dime.  IF long term care insurance is an appropriate solution, and IF you are able to qualify, I receive a commission from the insurance company.  However, I have no loyalty to any one company, because I represent several top rated carriers.  My goal is to fit my clients with the policy most suitable for their situation. AND, you don't pay more for your policy by working with a long term care specialist. 

The pricing for any policy is determined by the insurance company based on your age and health on the day you apply for coverage, regardless of how, where or from whom you purchase it.  In fact, you will probably save money by working with a specialist because you're making smart choices about which benefits are important to have and which ones aren't worth the extra premium.

So shake your fears and give me a call.  Information is key in making any decision.

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If you're looking for a nice evening out to celebrate Valentine's Day, look no further.  The local Alzheimer Society of Washington is hosting "An Affair to Remember" at the Leopold's Crystal Ballroom on Cornwall Ave in Bellingham on Friday, February 10th from 7 to 10pm.  

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It seems like every winter we hear of travelers getting stranded at airports across the Midwest and on the East Coast.  It's rare that air travel in the Northwest is affected by weather, but this snow we've been getting has done just that.  According to USA Today, Alaska Airlines has already cancelled 38 flights.

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Most of us have had the experience of walking into a room and then standing there for a moment, trying to remember why we did.  I chalk it up to busy lives or overloaded brain circuits, but there are also times when there may be something more serious going on.

If you are concerned about your memory or someone else's, it would be a good idea to have it checked out. The earlier that any form of dementia is diagnosed, the better.  There are treatments available that won't necessarily reverse the damage, but my understanding is that they can slow down the progression of the disease dramatically. 

The Alzheimer's Society of Washington preforms free screenings every month:

Memory Awareness Screenings, 3rd Tuesday of the month, 10:30am-12:30pm at St. Luke's Community Health Education Center, 3333 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham. Contact us for an appointment at 360-671-3316 or drop in. The screening is non-invasive, non-threatening and takes only a few minutes - only you receive the results. It is an opportunity to ask questions and discuss concerns and options. This is a free service but donations are gratefully accepted.

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