Santa Cruz Real Estate's Blog: Seniors issues and topics in Santa Cruz and beyond

Santa Cruz Seniors have the benefits of a local Santa Cruz Seniors program to help with their taxes,how nice is that! Taxes are tough enough early in life, and easier later in life, sort of . The Project Scout helps seniors with their taxes for free. Yes that magical word,FREE, that is golden especially to seniors, is the cost, besides your time. Contact them for assistance. You will need the following.

• Valid picture ID for taxpayer (and spouse if filing jointly)
• Social Security cards and birth dates for all members of your family
• All forms; W-2, 1099's, etc.

If you can also bring your tax form for 2007 that was mailed to you as well as you last years return those will be helpful too.You can call them at 1-877-373-8297

What will you be remembered for when you are gone? For some, these are trying times, just trying to stay alive, for others it is preparing for going. Life is a cycle, just as birth proceeds death. We trumpet death more than life or birth, for reasons unknown to me. So as we contemplate getting our will and trusts in order, what will we be remembered for or by?

We can get our things in order, and you should have something set up early in life. As we all know, life is an uncertain gift that can be revoked at any time. While we march or forge or slog though life, we come across people and organizations of interest. Some are charities, others are people we value for their insight, or their ability to make us laugh or think.

In Santa Cruz there is an…

Some good things come if you wait. Yes we were told that often and wondered, how long. Well as a senior you can live high on the hog at Aegis of Aptos, a senior care facility. This place is nicely appointed, and is managed by Diane Savard, the executive director.

Aegis is the type of place that one can now get, if you are on a fixed income below $28,450, a lovely room for only $3,000 per month. This is full room and board. Additional care, if necessary, is extra. Normally a room would cost about $4,000, so this is a substantial savings.

The staff is cheery, and Patrick the chef, cooks up good meals.Having eaten there many times, I can attest to that. The location is an easy walk to the shopping centers in Aptos if you want to get something. The access to…

A gift in hindsight to Santa Cruz County Seniors

Locally a woman has bequeathed money to the Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department. This gift from the estate of Margaret W Nielsen was for the benefit of senior residents of Santa Cruz County. Ms Nielsen left funds in the amount of $75,000 for the improvement of the Simpkins Family Swim Center. The swim center is located behind the Shoreline Middle School buildings, in the Live Oak area of Santa Cruz, Ca.. The well regarded swim center project was spearheaded by Brigid Simpkins with plenty of assistance from Edie Rittenhouse and many private donors. It took many years and lots of work to bring it to fruition in 1998. This gift will help the center.

The Simpkins Swim Center is a much needed,…

Doctors and Penmanship.

 
Seems that people are always in a rush these days, even here in laid back Santa Cruz, California. We have evolved to text messaging, short cryptic code words and symbols to shorten our communication. When we are in a hurry, aren’t we always, we tend to write poorly. Penmanship classes are a thing of the past neat writing is to be commended. A doctor with great penmanship is rarer than a great president.

It always seemed one of the worst offenders were doctors. Yes those hard working men and women in charge of our health often are sloppy writers. You have not doubt been queried by the pharmacist at least once as to the drugs that were prescribed. Even then we both can’t always figure it out, then, a call to the doctors’…

The Senior Resource Council in Santa Cruz, CA is having a Wine and Cheese Idea Social for Seniors.This group of professionals assists seniors with in identifying and solving their aging concerns. The group, founded by Gregg Camp, a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) and Dan Nicholas, Nicholas Financial Services, serves to promote the education and quality of life choices for seniors.

The Wine and Cheese Idea Social is to be held December 5th at Aegis of Aptos, Ca from 5:30-7:00. The topic of the event is “Taking Care of tomorrow, families growing old together.” Location is Aegis of Aptos, Ca 125 Heather Terrace. Call for RSVP or information at 831-684-2700

Families and seniors are invited to learn about some of the choices facing seniors now and…