Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE Several of the world’s billionaires want to spread as much of their wealth as possible before they die, leaving much of their fortunes to charity. Not everyone stands to gain from such selflessness — namely, the children of these generous donors. The children of these billionaires won’t […]

Many people want to discuss death but feel uncomfortable trying to bring the topic up around friends. A growing trend in gatherings, called Death Cafés, is gaining attention for presenting a comfortable way talk about death with others. Death Cafés bring strangers together in a public setting to increase awareness of death, while sipping coffee […]

A recent study found that nearly 15% of people age 71 and older (3.8 million people in the U.S.) suffer from dementia, which includes Alzheimer’s and other mental disorders. For caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s, understanding the side effects and how to deal with them is incredibly important, especially when it comes to sleeplessness. A […]

Certified Elder Law Attorney Evan H. Farr has been named to the 2014 list of Best Lawyers in America, for the practice area of Trusts and Estates.Best Lawyers is one of the oldest and most respected peer-review publications in the legal profession. Best Lawyers has published their list for over three decades, earning the respect […]

Jonathan is 20 years old, has autism, and is currently receiving government benefits. He is still living at home with his parents, receiving SSI equal to $628 per month, as well as a monthly stipend of $30. His parents want to make sure he is provided for should something happen to them and are considering […]

No one wants to face a situation where they have to deal with losing someone they care about. It’s only made worse if debt is involved. What happens to debt after you die depends on who has signed for it, as well as the laws in your individual state. If you have a joint account […]

Guest Blog Post by Jennifer FitzPatrick, MSW, LCSW-C Attorneys, because of the doctrine of attorney-client privilege, are generally forbidden from reporting any private or confidential information about a client, including reporting suspected self-neglect to Adult Protective Services. However, many other senior-serving professionals are classified as “mandated reporters,” meaning they are required to report suspected abuse, […]

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE What happens when you notice changes in your loved one’s cognitive abilities and you want to suggest a memory screening, but are met with resistance?  When a loved one’s faltering memory causes problems finding words, a detachment from people, irritability, confusion, forgotten appointments or difficulty with everyday […]

Research findings suggest that men and women older than 65 who learn to use Facebook could see a boost in cognitive function. Currently, one in three online seniors use a social networking site like Facebook, according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project. In a preliminary study of older adults aged 68 to 91, researchers out of the […]

A “guardian” of an adult is a person appointed by the court who is responsible for the personal affairs of an incapacitated adult, including responsibility for making decisions regarding the adult’s support, care, health, safety, habilitation, education, therapeutic treatment, and residence.  A “conservator” is also appointed by the court, and is responsible for managing the […]

With Americans living longer and baby boomers hitting retirement age, the demand for long-term care is expected to surge. Long-term care (LTC) insurance is one way to pay for long-term care. But according to a recent three-part series aired on CNBC’s Nightly Business Report, LTC insurance is not ideal for everyone. Watch the CNBC videos: […]

Eric’s mother Joan died after being moved out of an assisted living facility, where she sustained life-threatening wounds. Cheryl’s husband, George — who suffered from dementia — died after he was left unsupervised and drank industrial strength dishwashing fluid.  These true stories and others are exposed on Life and Death in Assisted Living, a documentary […]

Medicare provides access to health care for millions of seniors and those with disabilities. Nearly 50 million Americans—15 percent of the nation’s population and growing—depend on Medicare for health security. New information released this week by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shows a strong Medicare program: Over 6.6 million people with Medicare […]

Family caregivers and home health care professionals (collectively referred to in this article as “caregivers”) provide in-home care for family members or others who are chronically ill, disabled or elderly. Their goal is to help their loved ones or clients remain in their homes as long as possible, or in residential facilities rather than long-term […]

Part 1: Celebrity Series – Guardianship and Conservatorship (Amanda Bynes) A “guardian” of an adult is a person appointed by the court who is responsible for the personal affairs of an incapacitated adult, including responsibility for making decisions regarding the adult’s support, care, health, safety, habilitation, education, therapeutic treatment, and residence.  A “conservator” is also appointed […]

Open enrollment for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D runs from October 15 to December 7. If you are researching and comparing Medicare Part-D and Medicare Advantage plans, the Medicare.gov Plan Finder is a helpful tool. It lists all of the plans available in your area, with details about the premiums, and personalized information about […]