Preparing Yourself for Home Health & Nursing Home Expenses

September 1, 2018August 21, 2018 by Birmingham Christian Family

Money Matters

presented by: Vision Financial

The estimated cost for nursing home care in Alabama in 2017 was $176 a day or nearly $65,000 a year. Home healthcare averages $38,000 per year. These are daunting numbers for sure. How can one prepare for these expenses? Health Insurance and Medicare do not cover long term care needs. For most middle income consumers the best answer is long-term care insurance. (www.longtermcare.acl.gov.)

These policies come in two basic programs, one is what I call a “use it or lose it policy,” where the policyholder pays a premium for a certain amount of coverage. If the need arises, you use it, if it doesn’t, well, you’ve paid the premium, much like your car or homeowners insurance. Just like your car or homeowner’s insurance, premiums may increase from time to time based on claims experience of the insurance company.

Another type of long-term care insurance is what I call the “somebody gets something somewhere policy.” Essentially, it is a life insurance policy that carries a long-term care rider. Several companies offer this type of policy. It answers the question, “what if I don’t need long-term care?” If you don’t need the long-term care benefit, there is a cash value element that you can use as you see fit. If you die suddenly, your beneficiaries will receive the death benefit. Of course, if you need long-term care coverage, it’s there. One way or another, your premium dollars don’t become unutilized canceled checks like they would in a “use it or lose it” policy. In most of these hybrid life insurance policies with long-term care riders the premiums, once established, never increase.

There are some important terms you will need to be familiar with in researching policy features.

Elimination period, (usually 90 days): You will have to pay these expenses until coverage kicks in. Think of it as a deductible.

Activities of daily living: There are six of them and one must be certified as being unable to perform two or more of them to go on claim.

Length of coverage: Some benefits are life time, some policies can limit coverage periods to four or five years. Limiting coverage obviously reduces premium amounts.

Inflation riders: This can increase coverage automatically based on a predetermined inflation amount; obviously, premiums will be higher with this type of provision.

Demographically, we are living longer, and as we age, healthcare costs become one of the largest expenses experienced by people in their golden years. Long-term care insurance is one way to reduce the worry of how to cover these costs. Two very good resources for additional information can be found at www.dibbern.comand www.longtermcare.acl.gov.

-Larry Anderson

Vision Financial Group, Inc.

4505 Pine Tree Circle, Birmingham, 35243

205-970-4909, www.vision-financialgroup.com

Investment advisory services offered through Investment Advisors, a division of ProEquities, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Securities offered through ProEquities Inc., a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. Vision Financial Group, Inc. and West Alabama Bank are independent of ProEquities, Inc. Securities and insurance products offered are not bank deposits, have no bank guarantee, are not FDIC insured, and may lose value.

June 10, 2020August 19, 2018 by Birmingham Christian Family

Special Feature DSLD

Austin, Autumn and Harrison Wallace enjoying their new outdoor space. Autumn represented Alabama as Miss Teen USA 1993, Miss USA 1997 and Mrs. Alabama 2012. As Mrs. Alabama, Autumn drew upon her personal experience as a parent of a child with autism, and created a platform focused on autism awareness and ways to create community support for families dealing with autism. Photos: Emery Little Photography

“They turned a jungle into useable, beautiful space,” exclaims Autumn Wallace regarding the transformation DSLD Land Management accomplished in her family’s backyard in Highland Lakes. She and her husband Seann purchased the home in 2003. At the time, the couple had no children and the focus was on maximizing the indoor space and enjoying a back deck. Fast forward, and the Wallace family includes Austin (12) and Harrison (8). Austin is a self-proclaimed “adventurer” and Autumn and Seann knew they needed to make some changes to their backyard to allow Austin and younger brother Harrison a place to enjoy God’s great outdoors. “They are outside now all the time,” says Autumn, adding, “He [David Sharp/DLSD] literally saw a vision, and Stephen Pyc, L.A. drew a beautiful architectural rendering while their landscape artist, Sherri Bradford, drew several full color perspective drawings that really helped us catch a glimpse of David’s plan.”

"The tree trunk bridge" and boundless opportunities to pick leaves along the paths are Austin Wallace's favorite parts of her new outdoor space. — “The tree trunk bridge” and boundless opportunities to pick leaves along the paths are Austin Wallace’s favorite parts of her new outdoor space.

The transformation began the first of June and was finished in about five weeks. “I never went down there before,” admits Autumn regarding their “before” backyard. The family is particularly pleased with how DSLD incorporated the stream running through the backyard. “It looks like a scene from Colorado now,” says Autumn. Austin exclaims, “I really like crossing the tree trunk. I love to go on adventures.” Autumn adds that Austin, who has autism, loves to pick leaves and their outdoor space keeps her busy and happy for hours. David Sharp explains that when beginning a project like the Wallace’s, all on-site factors are considered and often we are able to incorporate existing plants, trees, elevation changes, streams, and even shady areas into the design. “The Wallace family is a very special family and we all enjoyed making their very cool backyard our home away from home while working to create a beautiful nature trail, water fall and pond, as well as a large lawn for playing.”

To learn more about how DSLD Land Management can help you maximize your outdoor space, visit www.dsldland.com or call 205-437-1012.

August 17, 2018 by Birmingham Christian Family

Are We There Yet?

Brought to you by: Community Partner Sawyer Solutions, www.sawyersolutionsllc.com

Each year the Cahaba River Society hosts a catfish cook-off and festival that’s not only good for the planet, but also the palate! This event has become another staple in Birmingham’s dynamic food scene as culinary masters, old and new, battle it out for the top catfish cooking prizes. The Fry-Down is the Cahaba River Society’s largest fundraiser, allowing Cahaba River Society to continue its work to restore and protect the Cahaba (Alabama’s longest remaining free flowing river), the river’s watershed and its rich diversity of life.

Mark your calendar for family fun at the 9th Annual Cahaba River Fish Fry Competition & Festival being held Noon-4 p.m., September 30 at Railroad Park, 1700 1st Avenue South, Birmingham, 35233. Learn more at www.FryDown.com.

The annual event is Noon – 4 p.m., Sunday, September 30 at Railroad Park and will feature fun for all ages with a carnival-like atmosphere, live music, amazing food, a climbing wall, hula-hoopers, a children’s parade, face-painters, educational games, petting zoos, and more! Come bring your family, bring your friends, and celebrate with us as we raise awareness on the importance of the Cahaba River. Tickets are $20 and include catfish and sides from our Fry Teams. Kids 12 and under–free! Purchase tickets and learn more at www.FryDown.com!

-Brought to you by: Community Partner, Sawyer Solutions

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August 2, 2018 by Birmingham Christian Family

The first Gather community prayer service was held at Oak Mountain’s Heardmont Park in the Spring of 2018. A second service will be held August 12, 2018 at 5 p.m. and members of surrounding communities are invited to attend. PHOTOS COURTESY: Vincenza Sciarabba

The Oak Mountain Community is leading the way in uniting Shelby County schools, parents and residents. A Community Wide Prayer Service, appropriately named, “GATHER”, will take place on Sunday, August 12 in the football stadium at Heardmont Park. This is the second prayer service held at the stadium, but this time, it will be open to surrounding communities in hopes that it will inspire others to bring God and prayer back to the forefront.

The first GATHER Prayer Service was held in the Spring of 2018 as a result of two teen suicides that rocked the Oak Mountain Community. Oak Mountain fought back by refusing to become another statistic for what has seemed to become the norm. During a time when school shootings and suicides have hit an all-time high, the Oak Mountain Community is inviting surrounding communities to stand together in fighting back the only way they know will make a difference.

Guest speakers at the event will include, Jason Browning-Sr. Pastor Metro Church of God and Bryce Landwehr, LPC, Wellspring Christian Clinic. Gates to the stadium will open at 4:30 p.m. with the prayer service beginning at 5 p.m. Food trucks and fellowship to follow at 6 p.m. Heardmont Park is located at 5458 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham, 35242.

For more information about “Gather, a Call to Community Prayer” contact Laney Gagnon, [email protected].

July 31, 2018 by Birmingham Christian Family

Will Bright Foundation Restoration Springs wide shot

Mission Makers

Lisa Bright with her son Will. The Will Bright Foundation(WBF) was established in his memory after he died in 2012 of a heroin overdose at the age of 25. Since his death, his parents with the help of volunteers have been working to stop this from happening to someone else.

The mission of the Will Bright Foundation (WBF) is to fill a critical need in the fight to break the barriers of addiction specifically in in Central/West Alabama area. “There is an unfilled need in the Birmingham/West Alabama area for a place for someone fresh out of recovery to live, receive spiritual support, job readiness skills, and find meaning and purpose to live a life free from the bonds of addiction,” explains Lisa Bright who along with her husband Bill decided to lead the charge in meeting this need after their son Will died of a heroin overdose at the age of 25. The Trussville couple established the non-profit foundation in order to offer scholarships to individuals and families struggling to pay for rehabilitation and establish “next step living” for men and women who have successfully completed an initial recovery program. “Sometimes people who have completed a recovery program aren’t ready to be in the real world on their own… We are calling it ‘transitional,’” explains founder Lisa Bright, “because our residents will be transitioning to a life not dominated by addiction!” The Bright’s remember, “Will was a kind, caring friend to all, and a drug addict. He tried so hard to overcome his addiction, but when he left rehab he had nowhere to go to get a fresh start. He got into drugs at such an early age that he really had no formal training of any kind, beyond a high school education. Will did have a part time job, but that wasn’t enough. When you feel like you don’t have a purpose, drugs are an easy fix. You are always one decision away from disaster.” Forty to sixty percent of people who complete a rehab program suffer from a relapse (source: www.drugabuse.gov). This is exactly what happened to Will Bright.

Restoration Springs program director, Mike Emanuel, is a Birmingham native and has extensive experience working in the field of addiction recovery.

This summer, on what would have been Will’s 31^stbirthday, the Foundation hosted the open house of its first transitional center, Restoration Springs, which offers job readiness skills and crucial life skills to lead a successful life free from addiction. After three years of searching for a location, Restoration Springs became a reality thanks to the generosity of Mrs. Lillian Kirkley, who donated her 126-acre farm in Fayette Ala. complete with three cabins, an 18-acre lake stocked fish pond and a picnic pavilion. “It’s just incredible,” exclaims Lisa Bright who adds that the city of Fayette has also been very supportive to assist in meeting the local people and helping with job placement of Restoration Springs residents.

Restoration Swings Golf Tournament will take place at Topgolf Birmingham at the BJCC's Uptown area, 1111 24th St. N, Birmingham, AL 35234. Also mark your calendars for the 5th Annual Restoration Run, March 16, 2019 at Red Mountain Park. The event includes 5K and 15K Trail Runs and a 1-mile Fun Run. Watch for more details and an opportunity to register at www.willbrightfoundation.com. — Restoration Swings Golf Tournament will take place at Topgolf Birmingham at the BJCC’s Uptown area, 1111 24th St. N, Birmingham, AL 35234. Also mark your calendars for the 5th Annual Restoration Run, March 16, 2019 at Red Mountain Park. The event includes 5K and 15K Trail Runs and a 1-mile Fun Run. Watch for more details and an opportunity to register at www.willbrightfoundation.com.

Friday August 24, 2018 WBF will host the first Restoration Swings Golf Tournament at Topgolf Birmingham. Proceeds will benefit the ministry and its first transitional living facility, Restoration Springs. Enjoy a great morning of true tournament style golf with the conveniences of climate-controlled bays plus a Hole in One Contest to win a new Buick Lacrosse, hot breakfast, prizes, a swag bag and a silent auction. 9 a.m. Tee Off followed by Noon Awards. The highest scoring team wins a Topgolf 3-month platinum corporate membership (unlimited golf, discounts on food, reserved parking and more). The second-place team will win a Titleist SM6 Wedge and the third-place team will win a dozen Titleist Pro V1 balls. Learn more about the Will Bright Foundation and sign up for the Topgolf Tournament at www.willbrightfoundation.com or call 205-999-5576. †

June 10, 2018, Will Bright’s birthday, WBF hosted an open house of the new Restoration Springs transitional center spearheaded by his parents, the WBF Board and other volunteers dedicated to helping individuals in our community overcome addiction.

August 9, 2018July 30, 2018 by Birmingham Christian Family

Education Extra

It’s no secret that private schools use athletics as a platform to increase both enrollment and student engagement. In fact, many students would never have the opportunity to participate in a varsity sport if not for the accessibility offered by smaller private schools. What sets Heritage Christian Academy (HCA) apart from many schools is that HCA also views athletics as a tool for ministry. Volleyball coach Peyton Kirk sums it up this way. “I have a voice and a platform and sometimes it goes beyond volleyball. As coaches we are not only teaching students how to be competitive athletes, but also how to handle difficult situations and how to live out the Gospel.” While Kirk’s message of ministry applies to a team, it’s also very personal. She states, “I want to be that person who says, ‘I believe in you’ in case no one else does.”

That message gets through to the student athletes as well. Abby Vigneulle is a 2018 HCA graduate heading off to Troy University this fall. She was a four-year letterman on Kirk’s team. “Coach Kirk constantly reminded us that we were doing more than just playing a game,” Vigneulle says. “During time-outs, even in the most tense of situations, she would remind us that volleyball was a gift that we had been given and that we needed to use it for God’s glory.” Vigneulle goes on to describe how Kirk’s message was passed on through them. “There were several times when I walked back onto the court after a time-out with Coach’s words going through my mind, only to hear an opponent across the net yelling at one of her teammates about how poorly she was playing. A few of us would take it on ourselves to encourage that player. We definitely felt that we were sharing the Gospel with our actions. The looks in the faces of those players was proof that our words of encouragement had hit home.”

“We want to teach competitiveness, hard work, consistency, courage, discipline, communication and teamwork – all lessons our students can carry with them the rest of their lives,” Kirk adds. “Our goal is for students to develop as athletes as well as children of God,” – a goal to which all of HCA’s coaches, teams, and teachers aspire.

-Heritage Christian Academy

2290 Old Tyler Road, Hoover, AL 35226

205-978-6001

www.hcachristian.org

July 26, 2018 by Birmingham Christian Family

bigstock The Vast Blue Sky And Clouds S 239476261

Special Feature

Maxine Adam's decision to pre-plan for her funeral was a much-appreciated gift to her family. — Maxine Adam’s decision to pre-plan for her funeral was a much-appreciated gift to her family.

One of the best gifts that I have ever received was from my mother, Maxine. She gave me many gifts throughout my life but long before her time on this earth was done, she gave me this special gift that I hold dear to my heart even now. Many years before she died, my mother wrote out her funeral in her handwriting. At the time, I was many years away from the ministry of Funeral Directing so pre-planning was not really part of my vocabulary but that’s exactly what she was doing.

When I mourned the loss of mother, I did not have to wonder what she wanted. In my grief and sadness, I knew exactly what songs she wanted sung at her funeral and found that it comforted me much more than I had anticipated when I heard those songs she chose. I knew what casket she wanted, her preference for flowers, and other details that made the arrangement of her funeral so much easier. I did not understand at the time and I am not even sure that she understood what a tremendous gift she was giving me. But perhaps she did. Her goal was always to make my life a bit easier and she left this world doing so.

Now I have the privilege of helping others do the same for their own loved ones. Pre-planning is a matter of taking the time to think about – and record – your end-of-life desires. It’s a thoughtful gesture to those you love, and a way to let go of anxieties about the future. Once done, you can relax, knowing your plans are in the hands of reliable friends or family.

Pre-planning Benefits. Given time to consider it, you’ll quickly realize that pre-planning is all about ensuring that your wishes are known, so they can be acted upon when the time comes. It’s easy. There’s no health questionnaire or physical exam required. Absolutely everyone can make a pre-plan, and there is no waiting for return documents. Complete the plan and put it on file in our office. Your pre-plan lets your family clearly know your wishes and relieves your family members of making very personal decisions on your behalf at the time of need.

Does Pre-planning Require Pre-payment? The simple answer is no. You can record your wishes and leave it for your family to pay for your desired services at the time of your passing. Or, you can protect you and your family from inflation, by pre-funding your plan. This ensures your expenses will be covered when you need them to be. Your money is put in a state-approved trust account or top-rated insurance company until required. After your pre-plan is paid for in full, our price is guaranteed. You will never have to pay more for the items you have already paid for.

Please consider giving this gift to your family as my mother did for me and my family. It will be appreciated more than you can imagine. As I sit across from families whose loved ones pre-planned, I never hear a negative comment about the pre-planning. The conversation always includes a statement about how grateful they are for the plan that was made.

Michelle Beasley, General Manager

The New Gardendale Funeral Home

2214 Decatur Highway Gardendale, AL 35071

205-631-8810

www.gardendalefuneralhome.com

July 26, 2018 by Birmingham Christian Family

Photo Fun

Prince of Peace (POP) Catholic Church Hoover recently presented parishioner and Helena High School senior Adam Jusino with the 2018 Caitlin Sweeney-McDaniel Award for Faith in Action. This award honors a graduating high school senior within the parish who exemplifies their Catholic faith in action, serves their community, and is a well-rounded student. Margaret Knighton and Meleah Montgomery, both graduating high school seniors from Hoover High School, were chosen as runners-up. The award was established 14 years ago in memory of POP student Caitlin Sweeney by her parents, Joe and Cindy Sweeney. Adam received a cross statue and $500. Both Margaret and Meleah received $250 and a globe shaped award and cross, respectively.

July 26, 2018 by Birmingham Christian Family

Photo Fun

Thousands of people seeking food and fun to celebrate our nation’s 242nd birthday attended Birmingham’s oldest Independence Day celebration at Our Lady of Sorrows (OLS) Catholic Church in Homewood.

Samantha Chriesman brings her homemade cake for the cake booth

A patriotic living doll won a doll from the doll booth at the 69th annual Independence Day Festival at OLS.

April Hines and family enjoy the festivities.

July 26, 2018 by Birmingham Christian Family

bigstock Teenager boy with father in pa 209063731

Parenting Points

Brought to you by: White Plume Technologies www.whiteplume.com

When one of our kids abuses drugs or alcohol, it’s easy to doubt ourselves. But all parents make mistakes. It comes with the job, and we don’t have to be perfect to raise our kids well. By connecting with others and getting some training, we can learn from the common mistakes parents make. And we can parent with both grace and truth, even if one of our kids abuses alcohol or drugs. To get started, here are a few of the mistakes many parents make:

Mistake: It’s my job to make sure my kids are happy.

Reality: If you give them whatever they want, what you really give them is a sense of entitlement.
Parenting step: Being a parent includes saying “no” when appropriate and teaching kids to appreciate what they have.

Mistake: I can control their lives so they don’t make any wrong choices.

Reality: If you try to manage their lives for them, it will add worry to their life.
Parenting step: Like it or not, you can’t totally control your teenager. Instead, give them opportunities to grow and make mistakes so they mature naturally.

Mistake: It can’t happen to us; there’s no way our son or daughter would take drugs.

Reality: If you believe your family is perfect and demand perfection, you encourage pride.
Parenting step: It is quite possible one of your kids could develop substance abuse issues. Always deal with them with love and grace, even when they go astray for a season.

Mistake: If I ignore their issues, their problems may go away on their own.

Reality: If you don’t talk about what’s going on in their life, it’s harder for your kids to develop self-awareness.
Parenting step: Talk to your kids about the challenges teenagers face and build a supporting environment where they can share their issues with you.

Getting Some Help. STEPS Proactive Parenting provides training, coaching, and materials for parents to become intentional about protecting their kids from addictions. We can learn to raise our kids to be balanced emotionally, spiritually, and personally and, if we do, we can help prevent addiction.

Visit www.StepsProactiveParenting.com to receive the free weekly STEPS Proactive Parenting blog, learn about personal coaching options, and get information on seminars your church or organization can sponsor.