Virtual Reality for Seniors: Traveling Through Time and Reducing Pain

Helen, 83, loved recounting “the good old days” with friends at her assisted living facility. She would talk about her old neighborhood in Roanoke, the neighbors across the street, riding her bicycle with her friends, and swinging … [Read more...]

$10,000 – $12,000? That’s for a Year, Right?

Q. I read in one of your recent newsletters that nursing homes in the metro DC area cost $10,000 - $12,000 a month. I think you made a typo, and I wanted to bring it to your attention. Those amounts are for a year, right? If … [Read more...]

How Caregivers Can Collect Social Security Benefits and Reduce Work Hours

Q. My mother had a stroke and really needs my help until we can find other arrangements. I’m afraid I’ll lose my job and wind up unemployed if I take time off work to care for her. Do you know if I have any rights under the Family … [Read more...]

Critter Corner: Should I Have a Caregiver Contract?

Dear Angel,I will be quitting my job to care for my father next month. He will be paying me, since I have no other income to support myself.  My dad used to have a caregiver through an agency, and the agency had a written … [Read more...]

Alzheimer’s Lost Memories May Be Recoverable

Jennifer was 42 years-old when she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s.  She was heartbroken at first, wondering if she would remember the details of her first love, her child's wobbly first steps, her overseas travels, or … [Read more...]

Long-Term Care Insurance: Yes or No?

Q. Long-term care is a subject we’ve been avoiding for years, but as we are getting older and less able to do things for ourselves due to physical ailments, my wife and I finally sat down to talk about it. At first, long-term care … [Read more...]

What Aging Parents Really Want from Their Adult Children

Ellen, 75, was thrilled at first when her daughter, Samantha, moved back to Northern Virginia with her family. She loved seeing her grandchildren and enjoyed being there for their concerts, soccer games, and birthday parties. Her … [Read more...]

Enough is Enough! I Quit.

 Every day, Rebecca goes to her mother’s house in Oakton, gets her out of bed, gives her breakfast, and dresses her. She spends the day with her, as she is working from her mother’s home. Sometimes, when Rebecca arrives, her … [Read more...]

Critter Corner: Should I Prepay for My Funeral?

Dear Angel,My family recently sat down to discuss the difficult topic of death and dying. Thinking about it brought to mind our funerals.  During a time of grief, I would hate to put my family through funeral planning and have … [Read more...]

Her Hospital Bracelet Said She Was “Admitted.” But We Found Out After Her Discharge That She Wasn’t.

This question was sent in by J.R., in response to my article about observation status in the March 2016 Golden Gazette.  See also our recent blog posting on this topic:  … [Read more...]

Thank you for your upload