Dear Bebe, I recently bought my mother a smart phone for her birthday. I figured it would be a great way for her to communicate with the grandchildren, and to have in case of an emergency. There are also some great apps to challenge her … [Continue reading]
Doctors Discover a New Type of Dementia
Dementia is an umbrella term used to refer to many types of neurodegenerative diseases—one of which is Alzheimer’s. And while the majority of dementias are diagnosed as Alzheimer’s, a recent study showed that thousands of people diagnosed with … [Continue reading]
When Caregiving Turns into Self Neglect
Q. I am concerned about my mother, Sharon. She is a caregiver for my 92-year-old grandmother, who lives with her and my father, who is not in the best of health himself. I saw my mother the other day when I stopped by for a visit. She looks emaciated … [Continue reading]
Do Caregivers Have a Higher Life-Expectancy?
Dear Magic, I read somewhere that caregivers have a higher life-expectancy than non-caregivers. With all of the stress that goes into caregiving, how can this be true? Thanks for your help! Liv Longer —- Dear Liv, What you read is … [Continue reading]
How Could Something Used to Treat Autism Also Be Used to Treat Dementia?
Kevin’s mother, Lydia, takes him for Interactive Metronome therapy twice a week to improve his focus. She decided to give this therapy a try, with hopes that he could better sit still in class and attend to learning. Kevin has an Autism Spectrum … [Continue reading]
Why Medicaid Planning Is 100 Percent Ethical
Q. My close friend, Paula, invited me to lunch the other day. We got to talking, and I asked her about her father who she told me was in a nursing home. She asked about my parents, and I explained how my mother’s dementia is getting worse, and we are … [Continue reading]
Dispelling Myths About Medicaid
Dear Angel, I have heard several things about Medicaid, and I wanted to see if they are true. One thing that I've been told is that Medicare will cover my health care costs, including long-term care. Another is that you need to be broke to … [Continue reading]
10 Intriguing Things to Do with Your Cremains When You Die
Pictured: Forevurn Kaleidoscope Urn Steve Munt is a cat lover with a keen interest in outer space. While most grieving pet owners keep their furry friends' remains at home in an urn or buried in the yard, Munt wanted to do something special for his … [Continue reading]
Why Am I No Longer Getting My Social Security Benefits Statement?
Dear Hayek, I used to receive a document in the mail from the Social Security Administration every year that explained my benefits. I haven’t seen one in a long-time. Is this something that they eliminated, and if so, how can I access this … [Continue reading]
Does Medicare Cover Annual Physicals?
Q. My sister Amy, 66, recently called her primary care doctor’s office to schedule an annual checkup. She naturally assumed her Medicare coverage would pick up most, if not all, of the tab for the exam. After all, an annual visit is supposed to be … [Continue reading]
More Untrained Caregivers Performing Medical Tasks
At 49 years old, Emily is an accomplished accountant. She worked her way up in a prominent firm, but recently took a leave of absence to care for her father, Sid. She is married to her college sweetheart but doesn’t have any children. The only … [Continue reading]
Can an Eye Exam Predict Alzheimer’s?
Dear Ernie and Janette, I read somewhere that a simple eye exam can predict whether or not someone will get Alzheimer’s. Is this true? Thanks! Cici Cleary —- Dear Cici, You are correct. It may be possible to accurately screen … [Continue reading]
When Mom and Dad Both Have Dementia
Q. My mother, Mary, is in a world of her own. I call it “Mary-land.” She often walks around in circles fussing about the “people who are breaking into the house." We live in a quiet safe neighborhood, which hasn’t had a break-in in at least fifty … [Continue reading]
How to Attend Your Own Funeral
In Diana Gabaldon’s book, “A Breath of Snow and Ashes,” one of the character’s mothers awoke at her own wake. She took notice of her uncomfortable coffin, lack of brooch that she hoped to wear when she was buried, and lack of food for guests. She sat … [Continue reading]
Has Mom’s Social Security Number Been Suspended or Cancelled?
Dear Magic, The phone rings a lot at my mother’s house (she has quite the social life for a 90-year old woman!) One call she received the other day sounded official to her, she explained to me, but she couldn’t get to the phone in time. A person … [Continue reading]
Can I Have a Do-Over When it Comes to Social Security?
Q. I claimed Social Security benefits at 62, and I’m realizing that it’s too early. I am concerned that since I made the decision, I’m going to have to live with it. Will I be stuck with a reduced benefit for life, or can I change my mind? If I can … [Continue reading]
A Moon Landing, an Anniversary, and a Reconciliation
Fifty years ago, Apollo 11 launched from Cape Kennedy carrying Commander Neil Armstrong, and lunar module pilots Michael Collins and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin to the first lunar orbit. Many of us remember Armstrong describing the event on television as … [Continue reading]
Are VA Nursing Homes Free for Veterans?
Q. My father is a Vietnam Veteran who will almost certainly need nursing home care in the future. Will the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) nursing home system take care of him for free? Are VA nursing homes as good as private ones? Are there many … [Continue reading]
Veteran’s Benefits for Spouses
Dear Hayek, Welcome to the Critter Corner team! I'm hoping you can help answer my question about veteran's benefits. My wife was a veteran before she passed away last year. I miss her dearly and am just getting around to figuring … [Continue reading]
Miss Your Grandmother?. . . Then Rent One!
Anna's mother died when she was six, and she was raised by her grandmother, Betty. Anna had a close relationship with Betty and has many fond memories of their time together. Betty lived a long life and died at the age of 92. Anna misses her … [Continue reading]
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