Critter Corner: Medicaid and Prepaid Funerals

Dear Angel,We are considering whether to prepay for my husband’s funeral to lock in prices, to relieve the burden of family members during what will surely be a stressful time, and to ensure his personal wishes are carried … [Read more...]

What is the Difference Between Alzheimer’s and Dementia?

Recently, Gina’s mother told her the devastating news that her Uncle Jack had been diagnosed with dementia. When Gina’s husband got home from work, she quickly told him about her uncle’s “Alzheimer’s” diagnosis. Gina, her mother, … [Read more...]

CMS Finalizes Commitment to Person-Centered Care for Nursing Home Residents

Q. My father has Alzheimer’s, and he is no longer able to live safely on his own. Since my mother died, I have been his caregiver, and although trusting his care to strangers isn’t going to be easy, I know a nursing home is the … [Read more...]

Hospice Care for Healthier Patients. . . Something Isn’t Right!

Linda Rodgers was shocked to see her father in so much pain when she visited him at his hospice facility. In a letter she wrote to the editor of USA Today, she described how her father had his pain controlled by medication while … [Read more...]

How to Live Past 100

Q. This past year, I became interested in genealogy, and have been compiling my family tree using online resources. With some research, I found that generations before mine have included not-so-distant relatives who have lived … [Read more...]

New Apps for Dementia Patients

Many of us have grandchildren who are preteens. They play sports, enjoy video games and texting, and spend a lot of their time socializing with their friends. Academically, many preteens are discovering STEM subjects (Science, … [Read more...]

Who Will Be There for Me if I’m Aging Alone?

Q. I am currently 82 years old, and I live by myself in the home I purchased 40 years ago in Northern Virginia. Most of the people I know have grandchildren and evengreat-grandchildren. Throughout my life, I put my career first, … [Read more...]

Even Experts Need an Elder Law Attorney

Laura Katz Olson, 71, is an academic, who is quite knowledgeable about Medicare and Social Security. In fact, she taught health-care policy for decades at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania.  She considers herself an elder-care … [Read more...]

The Little-Known Pitfalls of Medicare Advantage Plans

Author Wendell Potter’s mother had a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, with premiums that increased significantly over the years. Despite the increasing premiums, she didn’t feel she had any real motivation to disenroll. This was … [Read more...]

Critter Corner: Meditation and Alzheimer’s

Dear Baxter,My sister meditates daily. She told me that, among other benefits, it helps prevent Alzheimer’s. Is this true? Do you know of any research about this?Thanks for your help!Maddy Tayshun --- Dear … [Read more...]

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