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At the beginning of each year, many of us create resolutions for saving and spending.

This year it is especially vital to understand a crucial policy change MMthat Congress passed late last year as part of a budget deal. In it, Congress phased out a Social Security claiming strategy called “File & Suspend/Restricted Spousal Application.”

This news caused quite a stir, particularly because there has been much concern over the viability of the Social Security program. As pensions become less common, Social Security is quickly becoming the backbone of retirement for many.

Strategies vary based on marital status, earnings and disability history. Social Security benefits can be con- fusing and policy changes may seem alarming. Between the various claiming options, updates to the program and misinformation available, exactly how should you decide on a strategy?

To start, when reviewing your Social Security benefits, it’s best to do so within the context of a full financial plan. Each individual’s tax situation and spending goals, marital history, health status and retirement date varies.

Keep these key point in mind: The soonest you may apply for benefits (which varies, but is generally 62), the age you may collect “full,” unreduced benefits called “Full Retirement Age” (FRA) and the latest you may collect benefits, which is age 70 for everyone.

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY

Because the Social Security Administration is no longer regularly mailing statements, it’s best to visit the Social Security website www.ssa.gov to determine your benefits. On the site, create a login to your personal record and find your “Full Retirement Age.” This is the age any American who has worked long enough at a job where they paid into the Social Security system (at least 40 calendar quarters total) may claim the “full” benefit.

If you fall into this category and are married or divorced but previously married for more than 10 years, the recent legislative changes may apply to you.

Are you as old as you feel? Does your chronological age match your biological age? We’ve all met people who seem much younger than their age and have boundless energy. We’ve also known people who look and act much older than their age.

As we age, our metabolism slows, making it tougher to lose weight. After 40, our biological age starts to speed up, and we age faster than our chronological age. It doesn’t need to be this way. You have more control over the aging process than you think. You have the power to slow aging and prolong your youth.

TRY STRENGTH TRAINING

When we add strength training to an exercise routine, we can stimulate our muscles to unleash a powerful flood of muscle-strengthening, fat-burning and anti-aging hormones to reverse the aging process and greatly slow down both biological and chronological aging.

Stimulating and exhausting all of our muscle fibers is the key that will cause the other metabolic processes and organs of the body to respond better.

In order for a strength-training workout to produce results, sufficient rest and recovery time are necessary to allow growth. If we provide a sufficient stimulus to the body and allow for rest and recovery, the body will respond in a positive way with the desired physical and metabolic changes.

GET WITH THE (STRENGTH) PROGRAM

When you incorporate strength training into your exercise routine, you will:

• Re-ignite your metabolism, reprogramming your body to start burning body fat.

• Reboot the endocrine system, creating a resurgence of youth-enhancing hormones so you can get infinitely more energy and replace flab with lean, strong muscle.

• Fortify your body by regaining bone density and building a solid foundation.

• Boost your brainpower, enhance memory and improve cognitive function.

• Improve functional ability, making daily activities easier and more enjoyable.

Many places call themselves a shelter. Get to know the facility before getting a pet from it. Here are are a few recommendations:

• Visit the shelter during normal visiting hours.

• Staff and volunteers should present themselves professionally.

• The shelter should be clean, free of clutter and have minimal pet waste odors.

• Pets should be clean, free of mats in their fur and be healthy.

• Pets should be spayed or neutered to reduce the number of unwanted puppies or kittens.

• Dogs for adoption should be leash trained and be able to obey simple commands.

• Cats for adoption should want to be near people.

Adopting a shelter pet can be a wonderful experience. Finding a good shelter will have positive repercussions for both you and your new pet.

Dr. Anna M. van Heeckeren, MS, DVM, is founder, president

Remarriages are on the rise. Four of every 10 marriages are now remarriages, and half of previously married seniors have remarried again, according to a Pew Research Center study.

Let’s say partners each have children from a first marriage, and they are getting married. What issues do they need to think about? In addition to all of the family dynamics, there are many economic and personal issues they need to consider, such as:

• Income taxes

• Prenuptial agreements

• Pension, 401k and Social Security benefits

• Cost-sharing

• Estate planning documents

DOUBLE-CHECK DOCUMENTS

Consider the following real-life example. A couple remarried in their 50s. They each had children from a first marriage. The husband died 20 years later. He wanted to provide for his second wife.  His will stated all of his assets went to his wife, with the understanding that on his wife’s death those assets would go back to his children.

However, what actually happened is when the husband died, the surviving wife — who lived a long time after that — simply combined their assets. On her death, the money went to her children. The husband’s children got nothing. They did not believe their father meant to do that with his assets. He didn’t, but he didn’t plan properly.

So, what should he have done? He should have set up what is commonly called a marital trust. The trust would have held the assets for his second wife when he died, but upon the wife’s passing the assets would go to his children. The trust document prohibits the widow from transferring the assets to her children.

LIFE CHANGES REQUIRE UPDATES

As for other important documents, everyone should have a durable financial power of attorney, durable health care power of attorney and a living will declaration. When you divorce or get married, update documents to reflect your new situation.

Cleveland’s own “Skinny Little Boy” Alex Bevan and collaborator David J. Young recently unveiled an album and a book about youth, aging and Boomer-hood. The following are lyrics to their song, “Marietta at Midnight,” an homage to an innocent time.

MARIETTA AT MIDNIGHT

Marietta at midnight

dark current and a drink of desire

steamboats plow upstream

smoke … sparks … fire …

Marietta at midnight

Wear what’s good for you

What flows like wind through willows

That you’re not afraid to lose …

down on the banks of the sacred river

down the banks we’ll go

down, down, down

to the Ohio

See Marietta by midnight

From shore near the Lafayette

Waves kiss rocks with searching tongues

Where the trees are silhouettes

down on the banks of the sacred river

down the banks we’ll go

down, down, down

to the Ohio

12 of 52

Stars bear witness … how I love you so

Shadow and pale moonshine

The drone and dim nocturnal hymns

Sing till our hearts combine

So meet me

Meet me, meet me

Marietta at midnight

Wear what’s good for you

Something that loves the water

You’re not afraid to lose …

down on the banks of the sacred river

down the banks we’ll go

down, down, down

to the Ohio

How do you know when it’s time to help a senior loved one move to housing that fits their needs? Even trickier, what if the family member resists a change?

It’s a common challenge for families throughout Northeast Ohio. Lee-Ann Spacek, a senior relocation specialist, explains when to call an expert and what to expect.

FINDING THE RIGHT FIT — SENSITIVELY

When I first met Evelyn, she had been living in her three- story brick colonial for over 40 years. She raised her four boys there, entertained friends and created many fond memories. Since her knee surgeries, she had a chair lift installed on the gracious front stairway.

Her eldest son, John, called from Boston. “We have been trying to get her to move to a senior living community fe will be taken out of her houor about four years,” he said. “She tells me there is no way. She says shse ‘feet first.’”

John asked me to help his mother understand that it would be in her best interest to sell the family house and to make a move.

At my first meeting with Evelyn, I listened carefully as she took me through her home and shared her memories. We talked about her daily activities. She used only one level of the house. An accomplished painter and potter, Evelyn had not painted or thrown a pot for a long time. The paints were upstairs, and the potting wheel was in the basement. She needed assistance to do her laundry; the washer and dryer were in the basement.

CRUCIAL QUESTIONS

I asked Evelyn: Is this house safe for you? Is this house convenient for you? Does this house serve and support your daily living activities?

Then I inquired about her. How is she feeling? It turned out she had not eaten much the day of our meeting, and she was feeling the symptoms of low blood sugar.

HELPFUL TIPS WHEN INTERACTING WITH SOMEONE WITH AUTISM

Communication difficulties are common. They have difficulty reading social cues and body language. Be patient and understanding. Those on the spectrum tend to take things literally and often have trouble reading between the lines. Everything someone with autism does is a form of communication.

Don’t get offended. People with autism tend to be frank, honest and matter-of-fact. They don’t intend to offend you.

Don’t expect eye contact. Someone on the spectrum might be able to force eye contact, but it might not be comfortable for them.

Don’t touch someone with autism without warning and possibly permission, unless you know that this person is OK with touch. It can scare or upset some people on the spectrum.

Don’t assume that someone with autism lacks empathy or emotion. People with autism can be very loving and caring and sometimes are unable to show their emotions.

Some people with autism have echolalia. Echolalia is the repetition of phrases, words or parts of words.

People with autism can be very visual. Show them how to do something rather than simply telling them. Be prepared to repeat several times.

There is a good chance that you or someone close to you has a grandchild or loved one affected by autism.

Whether it’s a grandchild or someone else, with a few key tips you can successfully and lovingly interact with someone on the autism spectrum, no matter their age.

Every person living with autism is different. The term “spectrum” refers to the wide range of symptoms and severity. Some people are verbal and able to take care of daily living skills but have social challenges. Others might be nonverbal but very social.

Some with autism might exhibit repetitive behaviors, intense interests or “stimming.” For example, some individuals with autism might enjoy affectionate behavior while others shy away from it.