Monday, March 24, 2014

Baby Boomer and Senior Citizen Discounts (55+) in Orlando, Florida

by Michele Moon

From haircuts, to restaurants, to retail stores, to travel and groceries, baby boomers and seniors in the Orlando area and across central Florida can take advantage of a wide variety of discounts available to those 55+.

Of course, eligible ages vary from store to store, and while some request that you be 60+ or more, many are happy to share some love with the 55+ set.


But remember, you always have to ask for the discount, so don't be shy! In fact, it may be a good policy for Orlando seniors, boomers, or caregiver families to ask about discounts anywhere and everywhere you spend money.

Below is a list of NATIONAL businesses that share discounts for seniors. These may have changed over time or - in some instances - no longer be valid, but I hope it'll serve as a starting place to help you save some dollars here and there.



While these are national chains and businesses, I'd love to compile a list of independent, local, mom and pop businesses in the Orlando area that provide similar savings.

If your business does, or if you are aware of such a business with senior discounts in Central Florida, please email me the information here. And thank you!


RESTAURANTS:

Applebee’s: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
Arby’s: 10% off (55+)
Ben & Jerry’s: 10% off (60+)
Bennigan’s: discount varies by location (60+)
Bob’s Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
Burger King: 10% off (60+)
Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee (55+)
Chili’s: 10% off (55+)
CiCi’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Denny’s: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members (55+)
Dunkin’ Donuts: 10% off or free coffee (55+)
Einstein’s Bagels: 10% off baker’s dozen of bagels (60+)
Fuddrucker’s: 10% off any senior platter (55+)
Gatti’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
Hardee’s: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
IHOP: 10% off (55+)
Jack in the Box: up to 20% off (55+)
KFC: free small drink with any meal (55+)
Krispy Kreme: 10% off (50+)
Long John Silver’s: various discounts at locations (55+)
McDonald’s: discounts on coffee everyday (55+)
Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
Shoney’s: 10% off Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
Steak ‘n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday (50+)
Subway: 10% off (60+)
Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)
Taco Bell: 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
TCBY: 10% off (55+)
Tea Room Cafe: 10% off (50+)
Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
Wendy’s: 10% off (55+)
White Castle: 10% off (62+)


RETAIL & APPAREL:

Banana Republic: 10% off (50+)
Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month (50+)
Belk’s: 15% off first Tuesday of every month (55+)
Big Lots: 10% off
Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days (55+)
C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
Clarks: 10% off (62+)
Dress Barn: 10% off (55+)
Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kmart: 20% off (50+)
Kohl’s: 15% off (60+)
Modell’s Sporting Goods: 10% off
Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday (55+)
The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off (55+)
Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month (55+)

By Maurice07 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons


GROCERY:

Albertson’s: 10% off first Wednesday of each month (55+)
American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday (50+)
Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
Food Lion: 6% off every Monday (60+)
Fry’s Supermarket: free Fry’s VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday (55+)
Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday (50+)
Publix: 5% off every Wednesday (55+)
Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
Uncle Guiseppe’s Marketplace: 5% off (62+)

TRAVEL:

Alaska Airlines: 10% off (65+)
American Airlines: various discounts for 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations
Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
Amtrak: 15% off (62+)
Greyhound: 5% off (62+)
Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50+
Car Rental:Alamo Car Rental: up to 25% off for AARP members
Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members Best Western: 10% off (55+)
Budget Rental Cars: 10% off; up to 20% off for AARP members (50+)
Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off (50+)
Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members
Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members
National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members
Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Clarion Motels: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Econo Lodge: 20%-30% off (60+)
Hampton Inns & Suites: 10% off when booked 72 hours in advance
Holiday Inn: 10%-30% off depending on location (62+)
Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler’s Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)
Marriott Hotels: 15% off (62+)
Motel 6: 10% off (60+)
Myrtle Beach Resort: 10% off (55+)
Quality Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Sleep Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)



ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT:

AMC Theaters: up to 30% off (55+)
Bally Total Fitness: up to $100 off memberships (62+)
Busch Gardens Tampa, FL: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)
Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off
U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+)
Regal Cinemas: 30% off Ripley’s Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket (55+)
SeaWorld Orlando, FL: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)

CELL PHONE DISCOUNTS:

AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $29.99/month (65+)
Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service (50+)
Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+)

MISCELLANEOUS:

Great Clips: $3 off hair cuts (60+)
Super Cuts: $2 off haircuts (60+)




Hurry in to see this immaculate home in desirable Twin Rivers. This home has been lovingly maintained by the original owner. Downstairs you'll find a large family room that opens onto the screened pool and a nice kitchen with silestone counter tops, walk-in pantry and eating area. The formal dining room and living room are also nice sized and the master is located downstairs as well. The upstairs features a loft area that is perfect for a desk, three good size bedrooms and a full bath. Recent updates include the exterior painted in 2012, pool screen in 2013, both A/C units in 2009 and some interior painted in 2014. The property is beautiful and is just over a quarter acre. 

Friday, March 14, 2014

Are You Part of Orlando's "Sandwich Generation"? Help for Baby Boomers with Older Parents

by Michele Moon

Are you a part of the "Sandwich Generation" in Central Florida?

You are if you are between the ages of 40 and 60 and responsible for the care of not only your aging parents, but also your own, dependent children. This generation, “sandwiched” between two other generations, experiences both the joys and the stress of being responsible – financially, emotionally, and energetically – to the needs of two distinct members of their family.


Baby boomers are typically a large segment of this generation, but even those in their 40's in the Orlando area are increasingly finding themselves pressed for money and time as they care for elderly parents. This is especially true if your parent has medical issues and is nearly completely dependent on you.

In some cases, members of the "Sandwich Generation" are in the process of - or will soon have to - begin the large amount of work necessary to settle some of Mom or Dad's estate, learn how to find an assisted living facility, sell their parent's house, and attend to a rather large number of variables and red tape that make up the work of a late-in-life transition.


If you're a member of the Sandwich Generation in Orlando and are feeling sandwiched and squeezed, the most important thing to remember is that help is available. A wide variety of professionals exist to be of service where a baby boomer or family caregiver in their 40's may require help in senior-related issues.

And not all of it costs money. For example, as Certified Senior Housing Professionals, part of our job at Estate Conversions in Oviedo is to help boomers and seniors understand their options in senior housing, while also directing the family caregivers to other senior-centric professionals in metropolitan Orlando – businesses we have personally vetted and can recommend for their excellence.

As Orlando realtors, Lisa D'Aloise and I - Michele Moon - are able to help with the sale of a family home anywhere from Winter Park to Sanford.  

But we do more than sell a house. We'll also sit down with you and help educate you on what we've learned over the course of many years of helping seniors and their families navigate the emotional and financial complexities of moving an older adult to a new home. We're also specifically trained to coordinate the efforts of these various professionals as part of our job of taking some of the strain away from you, our client.  

Need Advice, Information, or Just Someone to Vent to?




Five bedrooms, Five Baths. Come see this custom-built home with all the "I Wants" in this exclusive Arrowhead neighborhood in Tuscawilla. The main living areas offer lovely views of the golf course from its vantage point on the 9th tee of the Tuscawilla golf course. 


Thursday, March 6, 2014

Interview: What is a Professional Guardian?

by Michele Moon

As Certified Senior Housing Professionals in Orlando, the Estate Conversions Team - Lisa D'Aloise and I - have been trained and educated to provide a new level of expertise, service, and compassion to our senior and boomer clients.

That includes building a resource team of other professionals who provide specific services to seniors and family caregivers - businesses and people that we have vetted and feel confident in referring our clients to. As Certified Senior Housing Professionals, it's our job to help you with real estate transactions, including the sale or purchase of a home, and also know the right people to refer you to when a need outside of our scope of business appears.


One of those needs that may develop when one embarks on a late-in-life move is that of a Professional Guardian. Here's an overview of what a professional guardian in Orlando, Orange County, and all across Central Florida does.

H. Leonard (Lennie) Burke, Professional Guardian.



Michelle: Lennie, I have worked with several Professional Guardians, so I have some idea of what you do, but I’m not sure I understand the whole story. Why is guardianship necessary in the first place?

Lennie: Sometimes an individual won’t be able to make decisions for him or herself. This could be as a result of Alzheimer’s or other dementia, a stroke, injury or some other mental deficiency. In that tragic circumstance, someone else will have to make important decisions for them. So, the Circuit Court can be asked to appoint a guardian to take over that responsibility so that their health is protected and their property is not wasted or stolen.

Michelle: Shouldn’t this be the role of a family member?

Lennie: Generally, yes. The law specifies a preference for a family member to act in this critical role. Sometimes there is no family member available, willing or qualified. In that case the Court might have to seek the assistance of a Professional Guardian.

Michelle: So, you’re only appointed when there is no family member to be appointed?

Lennie: There are other situations. One is a dispute within a family. In that case, a judge may appoint a Professional Guardian because they are neutral. I’ve been appointed in this situation several times.


Michelle: So, let’s say you are appointed. What kinds of decisions are you empowered to make?

Lennie: The powers can be divided into two categories – guardian of the person and guardian of the property. Guardian of the person might include medical decision making, determining social environment and residential placement. Guardian of the property might include managing funds, receiving benefits, protecting personal and real property and paying bills.

Michelle: You said “might”. Can you explain that word choice?

Lennie: When the judge determines that an individual is incapacitated, the judge will remove certain rights from that person based on that individual’s capacity. The judge will also determine specifically which rights and duties will be assigned to the guardian.

Michelle: Are Professional Guardians licensed?

Lennie: No, not exactly. We are technically not “licensed”. We are required to be registered with the Department of Elder Affairs. In order to be registered, we have to complete a training course, pass a competency exam, obtain a bond, and pass both criminal background and credit checks. We also have to obtain regular continuing education and renew our registration every year. So, it’s very similar to licensing.

Reach H. Leonard (Lennie) Burke, Professional Guardian at 321-251-8133

Michelle: Is there any review of the actions of a Professional Guardian and are there any professional standards?

Lennie: The guardian serves at the discretion of the Court and all actions are subject to Court review. A guardian of the person must submit an annual plan to the Court. That plan documents care during the previous year and forecasts what care will be provided during the coming year. A guardian of the property must submit an annual accounting of all assets and transactions for audit by the Court.

The State of Florida does not impose an ethical standard or standards of practice on guardians. Some Professional Guardians enjoy national certification (by the Center for Guardianship Certification) which obligates them to follow an ethical standard subject to discipline. Both the National Guardianship Association and the Florida State Guardianship Association have published standards of practice which are advisory.

Michelle: Do you have any final comments?

Lennie: Guardianship is not something anybody wants. It should be regarded as a last resort. It can be expensive and intrusive. I liken it to a heart bypass operation. Nobody looks forward to having their heart cut open. Sometimes it is necessary for the patient. Guardianship is similar in that it may be the necessary step to protect someone from danger. Lastly, guardianship doesn’t have to be forever. We are required to review on an annual basis whether rights could be restored and the person under guardianship always has the power to petition for restoration of their rights.

Michelle: You mentioned a moment ago disputes within families and we have talked about that before. Can we talk in the future about your efforts to help families in conflict?

Lennie: Absolutely. I look forward to that.

Indeed, Lennie also provides mediation, a service that - in some cases - may allow guardianship to be avoided.