Dear Commander Bun Bun, My mother has dementia and recently moved into our home. Before she was diagnosed, she loved Halloween, especially all the decorations, seeing the grandchildren dressed up in costumes, and eating the chocolate. This year, I … [Continue reading]
Spooky or Reassuring? Posthumous Messages from Loved Ones
Image from express.co.uk Imagine you had a letter from someone who was likely to pass away – could you resist reading it? Morgan received a letter from her cancer-stricken brother-in-law, Jack, to be opened after his death. She put it in … [Continue reading]
Mandating Overtime Pay for In-Home Caregivers
My mother-in-law, Stella, lives alone in her home in Florida, and her health has been declining for some time. About a year ago, we hired an in-home caregiver for her who comes 4 hours every day from a local agency. Now her health is deteriorating … [Continue reading]
I Am A Caregiver Whose Friends Are Deserting Me!
Dear Angel, My mother needs full-time care, so I quit my job and moved in with her. Before doing so, I had a core group of friends that I went to lunch with, to the movies etc. Now, they are not including me anymore. And, it seems they feel … [Continue reading]
Veterans DON’T Delay (3-Year Look-Back is Imminent)
Photo from discoveryvillages.com. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) helps veterans and their families by providing supplemental tax-free income through the VA Special Pension with the Aid and Attendance benefit. The Aid and Attendance … [Continue reading]
New iPhone App Could Transform How We Diagnose Autism
Dear Commander Bun Bun, I heard somewhere that a new app has been developed by Apple that can be used to diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using facial expressions. Since you are attuned to what's going on with technology, have you heard … [Continue reading]
Debunking the Myths About Autism
Image from Pathfindersforautism.org Q. We recently found out that my son, Freddy, has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. After accepting the fact that things will be more challenging for him socially and academically (he is also … [Continue reading]
Preparing Yourself for Medicare Open Enrollment
Every day, an average of 10,000 Americans will become eligible for Medicare as they turn 65 — and face a complex new set of health care decisions. If you're among them, you may feel perplexed about what you need to do about Medicare and when. And, if … [Continue reading]
What She Doesn’t Know About Social Security Could Cost Her Thousands
Q. My mother, Eileen, and her husband, Ray, just recently got divorced after 15 years of marriage. My step-father was the primary breadwinner throughout their marriage, while my mother was a homemaker, who worked a little here and there. Now that … [Continue reading]
When it Comes to Social Security, what does “File and Suspend” Mean?
Dear Baxter, My neighbor mentioned something about a "file and suspend" strategy for Social Security to boost retirement income? Can you explain what that means? Thanks! Clay Min Stratagees --- Dear Clay, For married … [Continue reading]
Giving Money to Your Children (while you’re still alive)
Janet's granddaughter, Grace, recently got accepted to veterinary school. Janet is thrilled at this huge accomplishment, and would like to give Grace a gift of $40,000 ($10,000 a year), to help her pay for school, so she wouldn't have as many loans … [Continue reading]
Don’t Attempt this on Your Own
Image from Scientific American Q. My Aunt Linda is very stubborn. She has been divorced twice, has three kids, two step-children, and a grandchild on the way. She did her estate planning documents when she was married to her first husband, and … [Continue reading]
Is Estate Planning Needed for Cohabitating Couples?
Dear Commander Bun Bun, I live with my boyfriend, Rich, in a house we own together. For a number of reasons, we have decided not to get married, but will continue to cohabitate for the foreseeable future. Why would people in our situation need to … [Continue reading]
Is Alzheimer’s Contagious?
There are currently 5.2 million Americans who suffer from Alzheimer’s, and the number is expected to triple by 2050. It has long been believed that Alzheimer's is caused only by age and genetics, but new research says person-to-person … [Continue reading]
Living with Fewer Rights than a Convicted Felon
Q. My 30-year-old cousin, Donnie, is intellectually disabled. He works at the Wendy's near my house, serving burgers and greeting customers with a smile. He has a bank account, saves most of the money he earns, makes a mean chili, and drives to work … [Continue reading]
Self Care for a Special Needs Parent
Dear Angel, My daughter, Valerie, has autism spectrum disorder (formerly known as Asperger's Syndrome, but now under the ASD umbrella). She is very bright, and for the most part is in an inclusive environment at school. However, when she gets … [Continue reading]
Lending a Paw for Veterans
Robert Soliz, a 31-year-old former Army Specialist, participates in Paws for Purple Hearts. (Joseph Matthews, Veterans Affairs Photo) After being married for just six weeks, Mark, a U.S.Army veteran who was stationed in Iraq, sustained severe … [Continue reading]
Straying from Loved Ones
Q. This past summer, I went to Burke Lake Park with a friend, Mary, who has a child with autism. While purchasing a ticket for the carousel for another child, Mary's son wandered off. After searching for a bit, and involving the park authorities and … [Continue reading]
How Can The ABLE Act Help My Special Needs Daughter?
Dear Baxter, My daughter has intellectual disabilities. I read in one of your newsletters that Virginia was the first state to enact the ABLE Act. I don't know much about it, but it may be something that can help my daughter with her education … [Continue reading]
“Life Reimagined”- Guidance for Retirement Planning
Are you at a point in your life where you’re asking, “What’s next?” You’ve finished one chapter and you have yet to write the next one, and this one involves an empty nest, no more commuting to the office, lots more time for yourself, and limitless … [Continue reading]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 69
- 70
- 71
- 72
- 73
- …
- 113
- Next Page »