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Photograph by Skye Dunlap
Another Advantage: George Poley puts finishing touches on a painting in one of several classes at the Willows Senior Center.
Perks of the Golden Years
Discounts and other advantages for seniors are available just about everywhere
By Chantal Lamers
Growing old doesn't have to be a pain in the wallet. In fact, there are plenty of ways seniors can bask in the glory of their golden years, and one really good reason: the discounts. Seniors no longer have to eat Denny's omelets or buy movie tickets to save a little cash. With a little ingenuity, seniors can save money on just about everything.
Businesses in Willow Glen and around the country offer a cornucopia of discounts and services that are a big chip off the old checkbook. There are several websites that specialize in senior services and discounts to keep those piggy banks full.
Center for Savings
The Willows Senior Center in Willow Glen is a virtual gold mine for local seniors, who can take advantage of the cheap and often free services the center provides.
Anthony Bryan, WSC gerontology specialist, says the most popular service is already booked through September. Senior Adult Legal Services is open to seniors (by appointment) on the first Thursday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Seniors can also take advantage of a free wills workshop once a month.
Bryan says seniors can take advantage of nearly all of the center's services without becoming a member. The center is a great place for seniors to interact, be social and take advantage of some great deals, Bryan says.
Retired professionals from the legal field often lend a hand to seniors at the center. In a limited-time program, attorneys help out senior homeowners and renters by answering questions and assisting with paperwork. The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program sends a representative to the center bimonthly to discuss Medicare, Medi-cal and private insurance.
Seniors can save cash at the center, too. Seniors age 65 and over can purchase a $16 BART ticket for just $4. Monthly Flash Passes for VTA buses are also available to seniors 65 and over for only $9.
Searching for great senior discounts doesn't always mean shopping at the senior center. Making a few phone calls or surfing the web can equal savings.
WSC members can take SeniorNet computer classes at the center for $20. Memberships are $35 per person or $40 per couple. Courses include an introduction to computers, word processing, spreadsheets, databases and other applications that can put seniors on the fast track to mastering the computer.
Web of Savings
If you need something, chances are you'll find it on the Internet. And whatever you're looking for, chances are you'll find it cheaper on the Internet.
Websites devoted to the needs of seniors offer housing resources, retirement planning and senior discounts. If you find a good deal online, print the advertisement and bring it along when cashing in on the deal.
Log onto friendly4seniors.com and you'll discover over 100 discounts for seniors. Some discounts are state specific, but here seniors are sure to find savings at pharmacies and hotels. Other senior perks include discounts that can be used for golf, taxi cabs, dental work and plumbing. Medical supplies, including hearing aids and hearing aid batteries, are also available at discount.
Seniors-to-be can read about housing options, including assisted living, golf communities and nursing homes. Friendly4seniors.com provides seniors with links to other associations and information about local agencies on aging. Seniors can research Alzheimer's disease and medical equipment. Information on recreation, transportation, community resources, books and publications are senior friendly at this site.
Another website, 4seniors.com, specializes in retirement planning and senior travel. But the site also offers advice on health and fitness, senior housing, elder law, support for seniors and technology for seniors.
Photograph by Skye Dunlap
Nice Descenders: Ann Thompson, center, teaches a class in calligraphy at the Willows Senior Center, but it's not the only thing she knows: she also teaches a class in memoir writing.
Seniors can read up on air travel tips and even learn how to get the best deal on flights out of town. Seniors will discover other travel opportunities, such as Elderhostel. Elderhostel allows seniors the opportunity to access programs at universities, national parks, and museums in the U.S., Canada and 80 other countries without spending too much cash.
The 4seniors.com "Take the money and run" retirement portion has a wealth of information and links to helpful sites. Learn how to retire in 13 easy steps, map out your future or build a retirement fund.
At seniors.com, seniors can explore elder care options, doctors, hospitals, health plans, health news, health insurance, estate planning, homeowners insurance, auto insurance and car values.
The senior web resource offers senior chat rooms and forums. Seniors.com also has senior news, computing, entertainment, religion, health and money news.
The Senior Advantage
While seniors are usually considered to be 65 years old, some businesses offer senior discounts to anyone 50 or older. There are plenty of discounts available and seniors usually just need to ask.
Some of the biggest savings for seniors can be found on travel. There are several money-saving tricks for seniors who are driving, flying or cruising to their destination.
Want to visit those cute grandchildren across the state? Amtrak offers a 15 percent discount to anyone 62 years and older. Greyhound offers 10 percent discounts to seniors 62 and up. And American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) members can get up to $200 off when buying tickets on a major cruise line.
Dozens of corporate hotels offer up to 25 percent discounts to seniors. Hotels such as Ramada, Hilton, Sheraton, Days Inn and Howard Johnson offer some senior discount.
There are plenty of other places to tap in on the senior discount, such as car repair shops. Corporate car repair shops often give seniors a 10 to 15 percent discount on car parts and service. Most banks offer free checking and savings accounts to seniors, while some charge a monthly checking account fee of $15. Seniors could save up to $180 yearly.
The federal government is cutting working seniors a break, too. Working seniors, 65 to 69, who earn over $17,000 won't be taxed on their Social Security benefits. Local Social Security Administrations can answers questions about exemptions for seniors.
But don't forget: the key with any senior discount is to always ask.
And in Willow Glen, hundreds of seniors already take advantage of services at the Willows Senior Center, but Bryan says there are always more out there who aren't.
For more information on the many perks of being a senior, call the Willows Senior Center at 488.6400.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
