Health Reform: Changes in Store for the Elderly

After a year of legislative wrangling and premature forecasts of death, historic legislation overhauling the nation's health insurance system passed the Congress and has been signed into law by President Obama.  Among some of the … [Read more...]

New Medical Conditions — Including Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease — Now Qualify for Automatic Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits are paid to individuals who, after having worked for many years, develop a disabling condition, prior to their normal retirement age, that is so severe that they are no longer able to … [Read more...]

How to Make the Best Nursing Home Placement for Your Loved One

Most nursing home admissions happen under extremely stressful circumstances. If you are faced with the overwhelming task of finding the best nursing home placement for a loved one, where do you begin? Although this is a job that … [Read more...]

Upcoming Seminars for Lawyers and Clients

 I'm conducting two seminars this week on the topic of Income Only Trusts. The first one is a teleseminar for attorneys around the country who are members of the professional group ElderLawAnswers.  Entitled Using Income Only … [Read more...]

Using a Reverse Mortgage to Pay for Home Care

Many of my clients ask me how I feel about reverse mortgages, and even more so this past week because of a favorable story that appeared in last week's Washington Post entitled "Reverse Mortgages are Not the Next Subprime."  This … [Read more...]

Major Change in Estate Tax and Capital Gains Tax for 2010

Because of a Congressional failure to act before the end of 2009, there's good news and bad news to report on the Estate Planning and Elder Law front.  The good news is there's no Estate Tax if you die this year.  The bad news is … [Read more...]

Important Elder Law and Estate Planning Numbers for 2010

Under current law, there will be no cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in Social Security in 2010 — the first time that has happened since automatic cost-of-living adjustments began in 1975. Several bills before Congress would grant … [Read more...]

Who Was Supposed To Be Watching Grandma?

There is a popular tune played this time of year called “Grandma Got Run Over by A Reindeer” which relates that Grandma -- after drinking too much eggnog -- went out into the winter cold to get her medication and was run over by a … [Read more...]

Helping Your Older Parents Stay Happy and Healthy

by Robert Stall MD, GeriatricianIf you're fortunate enough to have one or both parents still living, you may have noticed a role reversal taking place in your relationship. Remember the days when Mom shuttled you to the doctor … [Read more...]

Did you see last Sunday’s Washington Post article?

Did you catch last Sunday's Washington Post article by David Hilzenrath, about the October bankruptcy filing of Erickson Retirement Communities? My phone has been ringing all week with people concerned about this news, because … [Read more...]

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