FARR LAW FIRM

Protecting Seniors and their Families by Preserving Dignity, Quality of Life, and Financial Security.

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Elder Law, Medicaid, Estate Planning, and Much More: Explore Topics Below by Clicking a Category

Elder Abuse is a “Public Health Crisis”

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Q. Not long ago, my mother, who is in her 80s, was the victim of financial exploitation by an in-home health aide. It started with trips to the grocery store and small loans. Before long, the caregiver was regularly taking my mother and her credit card to the mall to purchase clothes and other items […]

8 Things You Can Do to Prevent Elder Abuse

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Dear Commander Bun Bun, I heard that elder abuse can include physical, financial, emotional, or psychological abuse, or abandonment and neglect, and am alarmed at how common it is. What are some ways to prevent elder abuse in my family and in the community?  Best, Anita Stoppitt —— Dear Anita, Every year an estimated 5 million older Americans are victims of elder […]

How to Make Your Own Bucket List

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 Michael Ellenbogen skydiving (from YouTube) After more than a decade of having symptoms, Michael Ellenbogen was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at 49. He is one of an estimated 1.4 million people worldwide who have been diagnosed before 65. After receiving the diagnosis, he decided not to let it get him down. Instead, he felt empowered […]

Be Informed, Entertained, and in the Know.

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We post up-to-the-minute news on topics that matter to you: elder law, estate planning, Social Security, retirement, caregiving, and more. To “Like us on Facebook,” click the graphic above or follow this link. Once you are on our FB page, click the “like” button. Thank you and enjoy!

Have a Piece of Cake. . .

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It’s Medicaid’s 50th Birthday! Q.  My son, Sam, turns 50 this year. Besides his birth, I know that something else significant happened in 1965 — President Lyndon Johnson signed Medicaid into law. I know you help people apply for Medicaid to protect their hard-earned assets from the catastrophic costs of long-term care, so I thought you […]

Want to lower your risk for Alzheimer’s? Babysit your grandkids!

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Dear Commander Bun Bun, I take care of my 3 year old grandson, Jake, every day, and boy does he keep me moving. I read somewhere that spending time with grandchildren can help stave off Alzheimer’s. Have you heard anything about this? B.Z. Nanna ——- Dear B.Z., Grandchildren keep seniors joyful and active. And you […]

Can Family Caregivers Get Compensated?

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  Q. My father, Jack, is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and has limited mobility due to other ailments. He currently lives alone at home and needs a lot of assistance. He has been a great dad, always putting my needs before his own. Now, I am doing the same for him. I recently got […]

PBS Releases “Caring for Mom and Dad” Documentary

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Graphic from pbs.org. Chris Olson was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and her husband, Brent, has prostate cancer.  They lived alone, 300 miles away from their nearest daughter, and needed assistance. Their daughter, Breanna, who was beginning a promising political career, and her sister Shanna, a working mother of two, decided to put their careers on […]

Protecting My Mother from Scams

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Dear Angel, I recently visited my 80-year old mother, who is in the early stages of dementia. I noticed boxes of items that were mailed to her, including tons of magazines about body building and deep sea fishing (both of which don’t interest her), and a pile of sweepstakes she entered. I would like to […]

Landmark Supreme Court Marriage Case May Affect Planning Choices

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Image from USNews.com Gay marriage is currently legal in 36 states, mostly because of the decision in the 2013 case of Windsor v. United States, in which the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Two years later, the issue is back in the Supreme Court. And, by the end of this […]

Alzheimer’s Diagnosis is Rarely Disclosed to Patients

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Q. My mother, Lorraine , is in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s. We think it began ten years ago when she started showing signs, but no one knows for sure. She went to a doctor for physicals every year, and seemed to be in good health, except she had what we thought were “senior moments.” When […]

Informal Home Care Could Result in Medicaid Ineligibility

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Betty Jensen was an elderly woman with dementia, who resided in her home in Muskegon, Michigan. In May 2011, when she needed assistance, her concerned grandson, Jason, acted on her behalf and hired a non-relative, Teresa Alexander, to serve as her Caregiver. Hiring a Caregiver When hiring the Caregiver, Jason entered into an informal agreement […]

Seniors Should Consider Cruise Ships Rather than Nursing Homes

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About 2 years ago my wife and I were on a cruise through the western Mediterranean aboard a Princess liner.  At dinner we noticed a senior lady sitting alone along the rail of the grand stairway in the main dining room. I also noticed that all the staff, ships officers, waiters, busboys, etc., all seemed […]

How Close Are We to a Cure for Alzheimer’s?

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Q. I just found out that my favorite Aunt, Norma, is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. I was heartbroken at first, but am optimistic that with all the research being conducted, we could be close to a cure. Sure enough, this morning I was on Facebook and saw a post about a study where […]

Alzheimer’s Accountability Act Signed Into Law

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Dear Ernie and Jannette, I heard that the Alzheimer’s Accountability Act was signed into law recently as part of a federal funding bill. Does this mean more money for Alzheimer’s research? Thanks! Nida Cure-Now —- Dear Nida, Sadly, Jannette has gone to froggie heaven, so it is just me answering your question. – Ernie Alzheimer’s is […]

Did I Read That Right? Rates for Long-Term Care Insurance Rose 9% This Year!

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Q. My wife and I like to plan ahead. Unfortunately, both of her parents and three of her aunts died of Alzheimer’s, and we want to make sure we are prepared should one of us need long-term care in the future. We are aware of the astronomical costs of long-term care and are considering LTC […]

What is Partnership Qualified Long-Term Care Insurance?

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Dear Saki and Alley,I heard about Virginia’s Partnership Qualified Long-Term Care Insurance. Can you tell me more about it as part of a Medicaid Asset Protection Plan? Thanks! L.T. Cayre ——- Dear L.T., Virginia’s Long-Term Care Insurance Partnership Program allows consumers to obtain Long-Term Care (LTC) Insurance as part of a Medicaid Asset Protection Plan, […]

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