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My First Virtual or Telehealth Doctor Visit

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robotic man looking into a mirror simulating a virtual or Telehealth doctor visit

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

We all read the same headlines. COVID-19 infections are reaching record highs throughout the country. And, while the vaccine is starting to roll out earlier than expected, most Americans will experience the impact of COVID-19 at least for several more months. Winter is a particularly difficult time since it’s historically our cold and flu season.

That’s why I decided to change my last doctor visit, just before Thanksgiving, to a virtual one.

Telehealth is not new (believe it or not, medical professionals wrote about using the telephone in 1879 – just 3 years after Bell invented it), but it is gaining significantly in popularity. A July 2019 survey reported that only 9.6% of U.S. adults have used telehealth options. By May 2020, that number had grown to 42%. 

The biggest obstacle to telehealth appears to be lack of knowledge about virtual medical visits. I was fortunate that my family doctor advertised on his website that he offers virtual visits. I just called to convert my in-person office visit to telehealth. Here are a few things you should probably know:

  1. Telehealth is more than just a telephone conversation. The doctor will probably want to see you as well as talk with you. Think of it more like a Zoom meeting. Because of video, there may be limitations on the type of technology your doctor can accommodate so ask about your specific phone or computer when you make the appointment.
  1. Just like at an office visit, your doctor will want to know a few things about your current health up front. I was asked to provide my temperature, blood pressure, weight, and blood oxygen level. Fortunately, I own a blood pressure monitor and a finger pulse oximeter. And different offices may request different things so find out up front what information you need to provide.
  1. Not every insurance company accepts telehealth visits, so make sure your insurance will cover it. The major insurance companies all offer some form of coverage, but options can vary depending on specific plans. State laws also cover telehealth differently. 

My doctor’s assistant called me fifteen minutes before my appointment to make sure I was able to log-in. You will need a high-speed internet connection and video access via a smart phone, tablet, or computer. Don’t worry, if you can stream movies you have enough technology to get through a telehealth visit.

The actual doctor part was pretty much the same as an in-office visit, except that it was through video. We talked about my bloodwork, discussed my general health since my last appointment, and he answered a few of my questions. I didn’t really have anything that I needed him to look at or listen to, so my experience may differ from yours.

A recent survey shows that 48% of adults say that they or someone in their household either postponed or passed up medical appointments since COVID-19. Telehealth visits may offer an effective solution. We all just have to get comfortable with it. Once we do that, it could be a great solution that extends far beyond the pandemic.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Caregivers Get Help from Amazon Alexa Care Hub

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wall art Lovin Life for caregivers

According to AARP, 3 out of 4 adults age 50 or older want to stay in their homes as they age. Yet less than 50% anticipate that they will be able to remain in their current residence. We’ve written before about how smart home technology can help loved ones age in place. Now Amazon is introducing a new feature that help aging friends and family members live out their lives at home.

The Care Hub is a free Alexa feature that gives family members or caregivers the ability to “check in” on someone via a connected device. The Care Hub feature provides a high-level summary of a loved one’s recent interactions with Alexa or other connected smart home devices. Before you start thinking that this is a bit too “Big Brother”, please note that the feed is just a generalized view, lacking specific details to maintain privacy.

In addition to showing general activity around the house, caregivers can set up alerts to receive notifications, access other features like Alexa Calling or Drop in, and enable emergency contact calling when a loved one says “Alexa, call for help.”

To give you an example, Care Hub can show the time of a first interaction with an Alexa device each day. Types of actions will be displayed such as requesting music (not the specific songs) or asking for the weather. If a person has  multiple devices, Care Hub will identify which Alexa was activated. An alert can include notification if a loved one hasn’t used their Alexa device for a certain number of hours. As you can see, the goal isn’t for a caregiver to see the full extent of activity – just that there is activity (or not).

Many caregivers and older persons can immediately see the usefulness of this kind of service. Individuals can age in place. Caregivers can have peace of mind. In addition, it can be particularly helpful now that the COVID-19 pandemic is reducing personal interactions.

There are a few limitations. Only one caregiver can access the Care Hub feed and you can only support one person. At this time, the Care Hub service is only available in the United States. Lastly, Alexa calling does not support calls to emergency services numbers like “911”.

There is no cost to use Care Hub and all that is required for set-up is an Echo or Alexa-enabled device and a WiFi connection. Security and privacy are top of mind. This new feature is double-opt in, meaning that both the caregiver and the loved one need to first establish a connection between their Alexa accounts through an invitation process. Again, this isn’t designed to be something sneaky. In addition, the Drop In feature can be disabled if a higher level of privacy is preferred. And family members can delete activity information in the Care Hub feed at any time.

Caregivers are facing considerable challenges during this unprecedented time. Aging loved ones are sympathetic to caregiver restrictions but they also want to age in place. The Alexa Care Hub may be the compromise needed to give everyone in the family a little extra peace of mind.

6 Tips For a Successful Phone Interview

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I feel good mental preparation for phone interview

I don’t want to spend a lot of time pointing out the obvious. The pandemic has been hard, and many people have lost their jobs. According to AARP, the percentage of long-term unemployed job seekers increased to 26.4% for those ages 55 and older. If you’re looking for a new opportunity, not only are you dealing with the challenges of searching for a new job but searching for a new job in the middle of a pandemic.

What I mean by that last sentence is that many employers are changing their recruiting process to make candidates feel safe. And that’s a good thing. For example, in the past, a candidate might have been asked to stop by the office for a short screening interview with human resources. Now that short screening interview is being conducted over the phone. 

And if you’re a candidate that has always felt one of your strengths is your ability to connect with individuals face-to-face, a phone interview could feel a bit weird. So today, I want to share with you six tips for having a successful phone interview. 

  1. Schedule the interview. Employers are not out to trick anyone. So, if someone calls you wanting to do an immediate screening interview, make the suggestion to schedule a time. If you receive an email to schedule a time, don’t feel compelled to do it right away. Find a time that works for you so you’re at your best. Obviously, you can’t wait indefinitely, but if you’re a morning person, opt for a date where you can speak in the morning. And vice versa. 
  1. Have your technology charged and ready. I know this sounds basic, but you’d be amazed how many people don’t do it prior to their phone interview. If you’re planning to take the call on your cell phone, make sure your phone is charged. If you’re using headphones or earbuds, make sure those are charged too. Be careful about using a speakerphone, because it can pick up ambient noises and you won’t sound clear. You want the interviewer to be focused on you and your qualifications, not how badly the call sounds. 
  1. Get into the interview spirit. Since the interviewer will not see you, it’s important to have your voice convey your enthusiasm. If it would get you into the interview spirit, get dressed like you’re going to an interview. Find somewhere quiet to take the call where you can sit in a chair (like an interview). You will sound better if you’re sitting with excellent posture during the call. It does make a difference in your voice. Test it out with a friend sometime. 
  1. Be prepared to answer the salary question. As a human resources professional, one thing I’m hearing from companies is that they do not want to waste your time (or theirs) if the salary isn’t a good fit. It’s possible that will be one of the first questions you’re asked. Be honest. And if you’re applying for a job that pays a lot less than you’re accustomed, be prepared to explain why. And, again, be honest!
  1. Plan to take notes. It’s possible that the interviewer will ask you to send a follow-up. Or the interviewer might tell you some things about the job or company that you want to remember. Have a pen and paper ready to jot down a few prompts. You can fill in the details after the call, but this could be very helpful later during the actual phone interview process. Especially if you discuss salary and benefits. 
  1. Have a couple of questions. Just because you’re looking for a job doesn’t mean you can’t ask some questions. At minimum, you should find out what the next steps are in the interview process. Before the interview, check out the company website and see if there’s a recent press release that you can ask about. For example, “I was on your website and saw the company’s announcement about XYZ product. Will this job have any interaction with that project?” You get the idea.

The phone interview is becoming very popular right now and honestly, they’re not going away any time soon. First, because the pandemic is still with us. And second, because companies are finding them very effective. So candidates will need to work on their phone interview skills to stand out in the process. 

Estate Planning: Remember Your Digital Life

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artwork surreal facial features representing digital life

We recently wrote about estate planning, discussing what an estate is and our important takeaways from the planning process. If you are new to estate planning or want a refresher on some of the key aspects, be sure to check it out. We definitely had some eye-opening moments and many others that required some serious and informed discussion.

I mentioned previously that we are working with an attorney to create our estate documents. One of the things that struck me when reading the drafts was the volume of legal wording that covers your digital life. You know, Facebook and Twitter accounts, registered web addresses, and even just your Amazon account to name a few. And what about your Apple ID and password managers?

The point is, most of us can readily think of bank accounts, investments, and insurance when estate planning. But we tend to overlook who should be responsible for our digital streaming accounts when we can no longer Netflix and chill. Take a moment to think of the things you send to cloud storage and you will see why planning for your digital estate is just as important as who gets your home or car when you’re gone.

Good news – just about every web-based operation has already considered this and address it in their FAQ, help section or forums. In fact, many digital suppliers even include ownership information in their end user license agreements (EULA) or Terms of Service (TOS). You have carefully read all those, right?

It shouldn’t be a surprise that entire industries have cropped up around digital estate planning. Companies like AfterVault, Clocr and Everplans offer one-stop estate planning for your digital assets. Most of these are fee-based services which can help you sort through your digital life and document your plans in one place. Keep in mind that this will really be a separate place, different from where you document the rest of your worldly goods.

Which brings me back to our original estate planning process. We ultimately wanted a single place where we could document all of our financial, physical and digital holdings and plan for them when we’re gone. And we wanted to make sure all of that aligned with state and federal laws so that our heirs weren’t burdened with probate dispositions. For us, that meant working with an attorney who knew all about these things.

Digital estate planning has become so important that AARP wrote about it last year. The article is a great place to start to plan for after your digital life because they include a very helpful do and don’t section for crafting your digital estate plan. From there, you can decide if a digital vault is a good option or maybe research the pros and cons of online wills on Consumer Reports.

If you choose to look for an estate attorney, check out this Investopedia article with 10 questions to ask before engaging their services. They also include a few questions you should ask yourself after you have an initial conversation. Estate planning can be legally complex and emotionally challenging for you and your loved ones. Put in a little time researching your options and remember to include your digital life. Making informed decisions now will lead to peace of mind.

Estate Planning: 3 Important Takeaways

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let's have a conversation about estate planning nothing is accomplished alone

In our last “What We’re UP To” from a few weeks ago, we mentioned that we’re updating our wills and health care directives. We didn’t expect anything out of the ordinary but surprisingly, there are a lot of moving parts in most estates than you might realize. So, we wanted to share some of our findings with you. To get us started with a conversation about estate planning, let’s start with a definition. Investopedia defines an estate as:

Everything comprising the net worth of an individual, including all land and real estate, possessions, financial securities, cash, and other assets that the individual owns or has a controlling interest in.

According to that definition, we all have an estate to some degree. That’s what an estate is, but there are basically three important documents that help spell out how you want your wishes carried out when you are no longer capable of doing so:

  1. A will
  2. Durable power of attorney for financial matters
  3. Health care power of attorney

As I mentioned, we’re in the process of updating these documents right now. Even though we’ve been through this process before, we’re realizing that things can change over time and wanted to share our takeaways.

Takeaway No. 1 – Your Estate Plan Should Not Be “Set It and Forget It”

Years ago, we did like most people and, with the help of an attorney, created a simple will that was signed and perfectly legal. Then, we immediately placed it in a safe deposit box for 15 – 20 years. The thing is, life has a habit of changing over time and you will want your will to keep up. I would still recommend a safe and secure place to store your official will. But, keep an electronic copy and schedule a regular review every 6 – 12 months and make changes as needed.

I mentioned that we created our original wills through an attorney, and we are doing that again now. Which leads us to takeaway number two.

Takeaway No. 2 – Doing Everything Yourself to Save Attorney Costs May Not Work Very Well 

Yes, you can do that, and it may be just fine. Or, it may not. I’m not an attorney or a certified estate planner so the best advice I can give is this – know if and when to engage an attorney. That might depend on how involved your estate is or how complicated local and state laws are for your estate plan. Just don’t make assumptions that could result in costly headaches for your loved ones.

Speaking of assumptions, the worst assumption you can make brings us to the last takeaway.

Takeaway No. 3 – No, Everyone Does Not Have to Carry Out Your Final Wishes

We found out pretty quickly that you should have a Plan A, Plan B, and at least a Plan C when it comes to estate planning. It turns out that different states have different laws regarding things like taxes and executors. And if your will doesn’t follow the laws for your state, chances are the estate will be disposed by probate court. That could mean additional costly headaches for heirs and family.

Hopefully this article doesn’t seem full of doom and gloom. On the contrary, think of this as caring for those you love when you are no longer able to do so. Yes, it takes planning and dealing with a few decisions that could be a little uncomfortable. That helps avoid pitfalls and provide some peace of mind for everyone. 

Now May Be the Best Time to Volunteer – Or Not

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Original art by Peter Tunney Today Is the Day as it might apply to being a volunteer

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 62.6 million people volunteered in the United States at least once in 2015 which was the last time such statistics were published. Of those volunteers, most were between 35 – 54 years of age and they spent a median of 52 hours on volunteer activities.

We know that planning is important when it comes to unretirement. There seems to be a never-ending number of decisions to be made and, possibly, changed along the way. We’ve written extensively about the importance of getting these decisions right to keep your retirement years sustainable and enjoyable.

But an encore career is just a part of your retirement life. It’s essential to find other ways to fill your retirement days.

Volunteering may be a great way to match your interests and skills with great opportunities to help and give back. In fact, AARP is so supportive of volunteering, that they have created a portal specifically for volunteers. Their Volunteer Wizard can guide you to the perfect experience for your interest and skills. They can even narrow it down to within 10 miles of where you live.

If you are like me and a global pandemic cramps your travel, never fear. There are many volunteer opportunities to be had that only require a phone or computer. Online tutors are in huge demand right now. If you are more of an environmental activist, many organizations are looking for volunteers to support causes like save the bees and stop overfishing oceans. Citizen scientists can volunteer for eBird through the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to record local bird sightings.

Let’s not forget that this is an election year and parties, candidates and causes are all looking for volunteer help. Highly organized campaigns have lists of voters who actually want to receive text messages. Or you can work to help register voters before the general election. If you can safely get to and volunteer at your local voting site, many are desperate for help in the weeks ahead.

Simplification may be the key for many who have a very active retirement life. But don’t let that stop you from giving back. I’m talking about shopping and giving a portion of what you spend to charitable causes. Sites like AmazonSmile offer the same products you buy at the same prices, but they donate a percentage of the proceeds to the charity of your choice. It’s simple and automated – all you have to do is select a charity and start shopping!

Right now may be the best time to do some research to find that volunteer opportunity. Many of us are still cutting back on activities and travel due to COVID-19. Use your spare time to find something that matches your interests and skills. And if volunteering is still a few months or years away, no problem. You can do the groundwork now to find what’s best for you.

We know that, for many, workplace unrest, furloughs and layoffs have upended retirement planning. Volunteering may not be an option when your focus is on an interim job or your next opportunity. However, a volunteer role may provide experience, new skills, or connections that could lead to a new job. Something to keep in mind. For others, volunteering can be a rewarding way to support others and the causes that really matter.

Examining the New Normal After COVID-19

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this is your moment sign in Atlanta implying the new normal

You have probably been reading and hearing the term “new normal” a lot lately. Wikipedia indicates that “new normal” became popular as a business term to describe the financial conditions following the 2007-2008 financial crisis. Today, the term is frequently used to describe the period following the COVID-19 pandemic – specifically, as we emerge from shelter-in-place restrictions. It references the social and economic changes that will impact most of us moving forward.

But what can we expect from this “new normal”?

Clean is the new green – we’ve learned since childhood that cleanliness prevents illness and that message was abundantly clear as COVID-19 spread across the globe. Experts agree that simple precautions such as sneezing and coughing into your elbow, frequent hand washing, and cleaning frequently used surfaces will continue as areas of focus. Consumers may even be even more critical of business cleanliness when they decide which restaurant or hotel to use. Some like immunologist and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci think this may even be the end of the handshake.

Age in place, but with a little more space – it’s possible that retirees who had been considering downsizing to age in place may be rethinking that strategy in the new normal. Smaller condominiums or apartments which offered a little cost savings may be viewed as undesirable due to density of population in those structures. That also extends to the location, as less populated rural settings are being viewed as more attractive over urban or even suburban settings.

“Economic Darwinism” for some but a rebirth for others – Economic Darwinism is the concept that there will be an economic elimination of antiquated industries. For example, while many have been holding onto their paper magazine or newspaper subscription, that option may be a little closer to extinction. Though digital media also has expense limitations, it is far more cost effective in the new normal. Another casualty may be the buffet restaurant as diners steer clear of exposure to multiple hands. And though the neighborhood multiplex theater may be closed, many areas are seeing new interest in drive-in movies which provide built-in social distancing.

Staying home or the new travel – as sheltering restrictions are lifted, we have the opportunity to venture out. But will we? And, if we do, what will that look like? Cruise lines are still grounded, and most expect to stay that way until late July or August. Rental shares like Airbnb are being overlooked in favor of hotels with more rigorous cleaning protocols. Given all that, many are simply choosing to stay home. In fact, home goods stores are reporting significant growth as homeowners try to fix their place up.

One thing we know for sure right now is that things are changing. And they may change again with the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19 cases in the fall and winter. Fortunately, medical professional are working on treatments and vaccines, but that could take months or even years.

If you are a planner like us, you probably already know that we’re not going back to the way things were. And you might feel a little frustrated by the speed of change as we begin our entrance into the post COVID-19 era. But we can focus on our lessons learned to protect ourselves and our loved ones. It’s a bold New Normal, but we’re up to the task!