I am “Proudly” Sandra Carr Hill. It took me a while to be able to make that complete statement.
For many years, I “worked” without realizing my “worth.” I always felt as if I was on a treadmill. I was living life, but not taking time to actually enjoy life. I merely existed to pay bills.
However, in 2006, I obtained the position of Lifelong Planning Specialist for a program for the aging, and immediately fell in love with my career choice. My position was a Social Worker of sorts, providing advice, Community Resources, and Services.
As an LLP, I dispensed information, provided motivation. and resources to make life as a retiree, more knowledgeable, fulfilling, comfortable, and peaceful, My workshops and presentations included resources for independent living, and tips for “PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE;” and just all-around better living advice.
In 2008, because of a change in the state government, (my employer), and a different administration coming into office, my program was discontinued. I then found myself—unemployed
For two years, I submitted resume after resume, and almost always received the same results—overqualified.
The Placement Tests I took indicated I was better suited for employment in the field of creativity. But who, in my city, would pay me to be creative?
Eventually, I had a complete Mental Meltdown. I became a hospital inpatient—of no good to my family, or myself.
After several years of struggling to become a viable first-class-citizen again, I rediscovered my passion for writing. And like Colonel Sanders, of KFC fame, though not at the same level, I began to thrive late in life doing what I always loved.
Because I lived a sheltered life in my childhood, I always had time to write. So I did! And for that, I thank my mother who always kept us close to home.
But, I digress. After the kickstart of my delayed writing career, I dusted off my certificates, old poems, skits, and manuscripts, and moved forward.
I do not regret my misfortunes in life. I feel it was all in God’s plan. For it is “Now” that my time has come!
by Sandra C. Hill
photograph by Paul Abell
As the life expectancy of American adults Increases each year, planning for long-term care becomes more and more important. Most definitions of long-term-care include providing personal care, as well as social and medical services, to assist people with everyday living activities allowing them to remain independent for as long as possible. These activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, toileting and even eating may not be particularly difficult for most people: however such activities may be impossible to perform for someone who has chronic health problems. Typical users of long-term care may also have trouble with other activities, that most people take for granted such as meal preparation, money management, telephone usage, shopping, housework, and medication management. While Georgia's seniors have good reason to consider long-term care issues, no longer can the senior community be the only ones looking at long-term care and its issues.
According to the US Census Bureau, in 2000, 5 to 9.9 percent of its population each percent of Georgia's population was over the age of sixty-five, but as more of Georgia's Baby Boomers mature this percentage will increase steadily. In 2015, for instance, this segment of the population will grow 10 to14.9 percent. However, looking toward 2025, Georgia's population over sixty-five years old will be 15.0 to19.9 percent of the whole. Therefore, the Baby Boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, have important decisions to make regarding long-term care.
People are living longer, but that doesn't necessarily mean people are living a better quality of life. Medical research is consistently coming up with more preventive medicines and cures for diseases that, in the past would have meant prolonged illnesses or early death, but even with all the medical advances and advice given by the medical community on living a longer, healthier life, there are still people who ignore their health until that first heart attack or stroke. Thus, we may expect an even greater number of seniors combatting health problems, physical illnesses, or mental disabilities. While in the past, close relatives would care for family members who were seriously ill, today people have to give thoughtful consideration to who will care for them in case of serious injury, illness, or disability. Many children are living too far from parents to check on them regularly and help with their activities of daily living. It would be impossible for a child who lives hundreds of miles away to take on the responsibility of managing a parent's medicine, meals, and grooming on a daily basis.
In Georgia, Governor Sonny Perdue has implemented GeorgiaCares Lifelong Planning, an initiative to educate Georgians on problems with long-term care and to offer solutions. To this end the Middle Georgia Regional Development Center, the designated Area Agency on Aging, sends out lifelong planning specialists throughout the Middle Georgia region (Baldwin. Bibb, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Monroe, Peach, Pulaski, Putnam, Twiggs, and Wilkinson counties). These lifelong planning specialists offer free presentations on long-term care to businesses, civic clubs, faith based organizations, retirement centers, and any other community organization. "One never knows what kind of reception you will receive until you're in front of the audience," says Pat Denier, a lifelong planning specialist with the Middle Georgia Regional Development Center, Area Agency on Aging. "You just hope that you can say something that will touch at least one person and start him or her to thinking about their future long-term care." Pat goes on to say, "I think some people think that it's a natural sequence of life to reach retirement age and their health and finances decline.
ACTIVE lifestyles
Are you thinking of buying a home? Most of us do at some point in our lives, but hesitate to make that first big step. If you are contemplating “making that move,” here are a few tips on what to do, and what not to do:
1. Do not hold back on your down payment. A lot of Important information is determined directly by
the amount of money you have to put down on a home. Your interest rate and your monthly payment can both be reduced by the size of your down
payment.
2. Do call your local Real Estate professional and be open and
honest about your intentions. Let him or her know up front, about your down payment. This will help the agent and lender to select the best home, and financing plan to suit your needs.
3. Do not become suspect by being misleading, or by misrepresenting your ability to buy. The time it takes the Agent to figure this out is a complete waste of his or her time, as well as yours.
4. Do be honest about your
credit history. This will aid the agent in directing you to an appropriate lender to handle your particular financing need.
5. Do not dress to impress, and take
a grand tour of a $100.000 home, when you know that a $50,000 home is more within your means.
6. Do give the Agent a general idea of the size and location of the
home you have in mind. Again, this
will reduce wasted time. If given this
information beforehand, the agent can select only those homes within your budget and preferred locality to show you.
“Do Not” let friends, relatives, or even the Agent influence your final decisions. If the home is too small, doesn’t suit your personality, or whatever the reason…”Don’t Buy It!”
And finally.
Do let the Agent guide you to the appropriately-priced home for your income. Also, listen to any and all disclosures about the home. However, always let your final decision be just that…”Your” final decision. Remember, the Agent can sell another home tomorrow…however you can’t buy another one within that timeframe.
Sandra Brown Hill is a Real Estate Agent with Darity Realty, 3370 Vineville Avenue, Macon, Georgia (912) 477-9483
As a passionate writer, I craft creative short stories, meaningful and mindful articles and quotes; and also poems aimed at captivating my reader.
I do not write just to fill pages, I write to fill souls! It is my mission to defy the mundane. I would like for my messages to ignite a fire in the hearts of those who have never seriously tried, or have forgotten how, to appreciate life and their dreams.
My journey through the world of writing has been a fascinating exploration of ideas that led to creativity. My works are offered as “Respite Relief,” a place to park and rest your mind, to take a break from what I call the “9 to 5” grief and the “Day to Day” grind.
Here you can find “Today’s Thoughts, Motivational and Profound Quotes, Clean Means of Laughter, Soulful Stories, as well as, Words of Encouragement; A little bit of everything for everyone.
I have resigned myself to the fact that:
Writing is part of my DNA.
I do not write because I can, I write because I must!
—Sandra Carr Hill
sandracarrhillliteraryhub.com
Sofia’s Search Sparks Sudden Smiles
The old rocking chair, worn smooth by the generations gone before her, creaked a familiar rhythm in the quiet room. Elena, her hair a silver halo, hummed a tune her mother used to sing, though the words often escaped her now. Her daughter, Sofia, sat on the rug, with a photo in her hand. The photo was one of Elena when she was young, vibrantly laughing while holding Sofia.
“Mama, “ Sofia began gently, “Do you remember this photo?”
Elena’s gaze drifted to the picture, then back to Sofia’s face. There was a flicker of something familiar that shone in her eyes. “My little star,” she whispered, her voice raspy and monotoned, “Always smiling.”
Sofia’s heart ached with a bittersweet twinge. The memories were fragmented, like shattered glass, but some feelings, some connections, remained stubbornly whole.
As they continued to sit, but in silence now, Elena’s frail hand reached out finding Sofia’s cheek. ”You have your grandmother’s eyes,” she murmured, with a soft smile, “Full of stories.”
Sofia leaned in with tears blurring her vision, “Yes, Mama,” she whispered back, “And you’ve told me the best stories.”
Even as the memories faded, like the aged picture Sofia held, the love continued to echo between them like a harmonious melody. It was a soulful hum, a quiet understanding that transcended words.
The silent communication served as a beacon of light that brightened both their faces, and warmed their hearts. And, suddenly, to Sofia’s surprise, Elena gifted her daughter another beautiful, spontaneous smile.
