PHOTO BY GLENN TR IEST
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Knowledge is king, say authors of
publications for senior citizens.
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STEVE STEIN STAFF WRITER
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Mr. Stern's book, which
he published himself, has
sold 13,000 copies since its
release last July. An up-
dated version, with a press
run of 30,000, will be re-
leased this summer by Ca-
reer Press in New Jersey.
The four-year-old
newsletter has 15,000 sub-
•
scribers across the country.
Mr. Stern is close to se-
curing actor Tom Bosley as
the spokesman for the
book, newsletter and six
one-hour audio cassettes,
based on Senior Saavy,
Anita Kremer talks with Mrs. Ruth Stotsky at Windemere Skilled Care Residence in
which are scheduled to be
West Bloomfield.
available in August.
Both of Mr. Stern's publica-
tions focus on ideas designed to
hey live thousands of miles apart, help individuals who are trying
but their objective is the same: to retire, those who are already
They are determined to provide retired or those caring for an el-
information for senior citizens derly person.
that allows them to live their lives
Topics include the effect of
to the fullest.
health-care reform, how to make
Former Farmington Hills res- sure a stay in a long-term care fa-
ident Ken Stern, who now calls cility doesn't leave a family pover-
San Diego home, has written a fi- ty-stricken, avoiding scams and
nancial-help book titled Senior rip-offs, estate planning, wills,
Savvy.
trusts, joint tenancy, strategies
The lecturer, teacher and dai- to be savvy with money and tech-
ly radio talk-show host in San niques for lowering taxes.
Diego also is the editor of The Ma-
The impetus to launch the
ture American newsletter. Be- newsletter and write the book
cause of his publications and came from the types of questions
frequent speaking engagements, Mr. Stern fielded from senior cit-
Mr. Stern has been a guest on ra- izens on his radio show, which of-
dio and television shows across fers financial advice to the public.
the country.
"It seemed like there was
Meanwhile, Anita Kremer of nowhere for senior citizens to
Southfield distributes a free, twice- turn to get unbiased information
yearly Guide to Senior Living Al- about their important financial
ternatives publication for senior matters," said Mr. Stern, a grad-
citizens in southeastern Michigan. uate of North Farmington High
It has done so well that Ms. Kre- School and the University of Den-
mer is getting ready to launch a ver.
Chicago edition in the fall.
"Our lawmakers love to make
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life complicated to get more mon-
ey out of us. If we don't do any-
thing, they can get away with it.
The only way to stop them is just
to do something.
"My work has been very re-
warding. I've gotten a lot of nice
letters from senior citizens I have
helped through the years. I call
them my happy notes."
Mr. Stern will be home for a
week this month. It's both a busi-
ness and a personal trip. Among
six speaking engagements on his
agenda are talks to senior citizens
at noon May 18 at Temple Israel
and 1 p.m. May 19 at the
Maple/Drake Building of the Jew-
ish Community Center.
"I really enjoy coming to De-
troit and speaking to senior- cit-
izen groups," Mr. Stern said.
Mr. Stern, who is single, is
president of Segue Capital Inc. in
San Diego, a company he found-
ed in 1989.
With the senior-citizen popu-
lation in the United States ex-
pected to double to 62 million by
the year 2025, the question of
where the elderly can live com-
fortably is becoming crucial for
more and more families.
Ms. Kremer's publication is de-
signed to provide answers. It is
distributed in Oakland, Wayne,
Macomb, Washtenaw, Monroe
and St. Clair .counties at places
frequented by senior citizens.
The first issue of Senior Living
Alternatives had a press run of
20,000. Some 36,000 copies of the
fifth edition (winter/spring 1994)
are now being distributed.
"A publication like mine was
needed because senior citizens
and their families had no place to
look for complete housing infor-
mation," said Ms. Kremer, who
is publisher, author and adver-
tising saleswoman.
"Senior Living Alternatives
gives everyone a chance to com-
pare items like services and rates
and see what's available in dif-
ferent locations," Ms. Kremer
said. "It also gives the owners of
facilities an opportunity to pro-
mote themselves.
"Now, families can make hous-
ing decisions based on facts, not
what happens to be the most con- (
venient place."
The guide is divided into re-
tirement residences, assisted-liv-
ing care centers and nursing
homes. In addition to detailed in-
formation about the facilities in
each category, there are check-
lists and forms.
The publication also has in-
formation on topics like Medic-
aid, Medicare, the Alzheimer's
Association, community services,
home- health care, living wills
and 800 phone numbers.
Before getting into the pub-
lishing business, Ms. Kremer spe-
cialized in marketing and
management in the housing in-
dustry.
She was director of new mar-
ket development for the Village
Green Management Company in
Farmington Hills from 1983-86;
vice-president, redevelopment for
First Property Management
Company in Chicago from 1987-
1990; and vice president, opera-
tions for the Solomon Group in
Troy in 1990.
For information on Mr. Stern's
publications, call 1-800-728-8901.
For information on where to ob-
tain a copy of Senior Living Al-
ternatives, call 350-0770.