Geriatric Consultants Can Help Families As Parents Age

Dollars & Sense

As the population ages and particularly our parents age, it is appropriate and helpful to use the services of a geriatric consultant. A number of companies offer a large variety of services depending on your family's needs. These firms are part patient advocate and part mediators with the family when required.

For instance, on many occasions it is necessary to determine whether mom or dad are able to live independently in their own home. While you might determine that mom or dad are not able to live by themselves anymore, a geriatric consultant may be able to step in, talk with your parent, evaluate the parent's health as well as their home and surroundings. They also attempt to involve the parent in the decision, which, is a huge step for aging parents to take.

Sometimes, it is appropriate to have that parent live in assisted care. accountants in Manchester times, however, with the addition of a part-time care assistant and modifying the home environment to include items that would extend the time that the senior parent may be able to live in his or her own home semi-independently. This may involve a structural change to the residence, such as an elevator or chair to allow the senior to go to the second floor or remodel the first floor to accommodate another bedroom or making sure that the proper on-site caretaker is there to assist with chores around the home.

The geriatric consultant also can help to mediate between siblings, many of whom may have a different idea of how to help their parent. One sibling may feel that the parent would be better off in a nursing home or assisted care, while another may determine that the parent should stay in his or her home. Senior parents normally have enough of their own fears to deal with and tend to react negatively toward the conflicts between their children over what will happen with their lives.

If the parent has had extensive medical bills that need to be sorted or reimbursement needs to be applied for, many geriatric consultants may supply this need. The bottom line is that using a geriatric consultant will give your family piece of mind, as many of my clients can attest to.

As published in the Naperville Sun - June 15, 2008

Denice Gierach is a lawyer and owner of The Gierach Law Firm in Naperville. She is a certified public accountant and has a master's degree in management. She may be reached at deniceg@gierachlawfirm.com For more information on Denice and The Gierach Law Firm visit Gierach Law Firm

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IRS Free File Alliance - Efile Your Taxes for Free

It's that time of the year again. Time to take out your W2, 1099 tax forms, charity donatin receipts, and any other financial statement that you have been saving all year. Yes, it's the dreaded tax season. For all the time and effort that we are expected to spend on preparing our tax returns, IRS has somewhat rewarded us by offering a chance to e-file our tax returns for free through the Free File Program.

Free File Program

Free File is a free federal income tax preparation and electronic filing program started by Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Free File accountant LLC. Free File Alliance is represented by a group of private sector tax software companies such as Intuit, H&R Block, Liberty Tax, andTaxAct. Since 2003, more than 19.2 million tax payers have filed their federal tax returns for free through the program.

Electronic Filing Benefits

1. Get a faster refund, in as little as 10 days with Direct Deposit.
2. File your taxes any hour of the day or night.
3. Save paper-and that helps all of us.
4. Benefit from Free File's automatic checks for accuracy.
5. Receive a quick confirmation within 48 hours that your return was received.
6. Know that your return is safe and secure.

Who Is Eligible

The official requirement for Free File Program is that taxpayers must have Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $54,000 or less in 2007. However, individual tax software company may set its own eligibility requirements. For example:

• TurboTax Freedom Edition: Free tax return preparation and e-file if your Adjusted Gross Income is $30,000 or less or you will claim EITC, or you are active duty military with an AGI of $54,000 or less.

• H&R Block's TaxCut Free File: Free federal online tax preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income is $54,000 or less and you are age 50 or under.

• Free TaxACT: Free federal online tax preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income is $54,000 or less and you are age 19 through 54 years old. Extensions e-filed for free.

Note: Each tax software company's eligibility requirements may have changed. Please refer to IRS's "Guide Me To A Company!"page for more updated information.
How Do I Start?

It's absolutely necessary that you start your tax return by going through IRS's Free File website. If you go to a company's website directly, your tax return might not qualify for the Free File Program and therefore you might be charged a fee for preparation and electronic filing. Also, while you are going through your tax return, some companies will try to sell you extra services for a fee. You are under no obligation to buy any of the company's other products or services to qualify for Free File. If you don't finish your return in one session, you should be able return directly to the company's website next time to continue your tax return. Make sure you are not being charged any fee before you submit your tax return.

Once you have submitted your tax return electronically, it usually takes 1-3 business days to get your results back. If you are expecting a refund, you can check on the status of your refund 7 days after you e-file by going to IRS's "Where's My Refund" page.

Final Thoughts

One drawback of the Free File Program is that you are not going to get much support if your tax return is complicated. Each tax software company will try to sell you their deluxe products/services which are bundled with better customer support. Some companies might even offer live assistance from a Tax Professional. But for most us with simple tax returns, the Free File Program is the perfect gift from IRS.

Coming Up Next : State Free Tax Preparation and Electronic Filing

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The Schwinn Airdyne Evolution Comp - Better Than a Regular Schwinn Airdyne?

The classic Schwinn Airdyne bike has been used for 30 plus years as a great exercise tool. I have one myself and have put 7,000 plus miles on mine with almost zero maintenance. The Schwinn Airdyne Evolution model is Schwinn's attempt to improve on the classic model.

Now anytime you attempt to redesign a long-time favorite you take a risk. Schwinn dealt with this by continuing to still make the older model bike just like it has always been. The new model is an additional model. So why is the new model better?

The older model Airdyne is a favorite of many riders for many reasons. It's rugged, reliable, and nearly trouble free. You get the big plus of exercising arms and legs at the same time. These machines are in health clubs, rehab centers as well as in home gyms.

One of the few down sides to the machines is the noise. The resistance comes from turning a big fan with the pedals. The way you create more resistance is to pedal faster. The faster you pedal, the more noise you get. Many exercise bike riders like to read books or watch videos or TV while pedaling. That isn't practical on the Airdyne.

The Schwinn Airdyne Evolution is quieter. The fan is much smaller for less noise. Plus the drive from the pedals to the fan is by belt instead of chain like on the older model. The new drive is quieter too. It's just a smoother and quieter machine plus it's physically smaller because of the smaller fan.

Many people still buy he original Airdyne version for the many reasons it's a classic. If you want a slightly smaller machine that's a little quieter, consider the Schwinn Airdyne Evolution model.

Looking at exercise bikes? Get free tips about the Schwinn Airdyne Evolution Comp.

To learn more about exercise bike fitness, you're invited right now to visit http://www.exercisebikefitness.com

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