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 According
to Jim Miller, author of The Savvy Senior, someone turns 50 every 7 seconds.
In the next five years, the senior population in America will double from 35
to 70 million. Miller writes a highly successful and well-read syndicated
newspaper column of the same name and now has gathered many of these into one
volume.
Seniors seem to have lots of questions–what with Medicare,
Alzheimer’s, retirement planning, life-care facilities, and, of course,
social security benefits. But most seniors don’t think about answers to
these questions until they have to.
Many seniors are uncomfortable using computers, so searching
the Internet is out. Miller’s book provides computer handicapped seniors a
one-stop resource to answer many of their questions.
He begins with a discussion of the senior lifestyle,
providing valuable information about such topics as driver safety,
volunteerism, employment, identity theft, finances and money-management,
genealogy and, especially how to become computer literate.
Miller goes on to discuss five major subjects of interest to
seniors–home, health, Medicare and more, social security, and finances–in
a light humorous, but factual, writing style that holds senior’s attention.
Throughout the book, he highlights facts, statistics and discounts in
"Savvy Notes," and offers lists of Web sites, books and pamphlets in
"Savvy Resources." He also offers small bits of advice such as
"many different types of medications affect the ability to taste" in
his "Savvy Tips."
Numerous checklists, always good, as well as resource lists
and charts make it easy for senior readers to learn about the complexities of
living trusts, IRAs, prescription drug benefits, and the effects of
downsizing.
Of course, seniors ask the most questions about social
security and Medicare, but Miller’s book also discusses such topics as
reverse mortgages, after-retirement employment, long-term care communities,
choosing a financial planner, disability and other types of insurance, as well
as what symptoms to be aware of in certain diseases prevalent in the senior
population. He even talks about planning funerals and scams in that industry.
But this book isn’t written just for seniors. It’s also
a godsend to those who care for seniors. Miller offers many insights into not
only senior care, but also how to protect the elderly from door-to-door and
telemarketing scams.
Miller covers the gamut of senior questions in this
informative book. No senior should be without a copy. It’s a must read for
anyone over 50.
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