You’ve recently been told by a doctor that your mother has Alzheimer’s. She doesn’t know yet. What is the best way to tell her about the life-changing diagnosis? Before informing your mother (or any close loved one) about an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, it is important to take some time to plan your approach and to anticipate […]

Since 2010, April has been designated as Parkinson’s Awareness Month by the US Senate.  The purpose of Parkinson’s Awareness Month is to reach out to others to promote understanding of the disease, gain support from the community, and further the extensive research already being done to find new treatments and a cure. Parkinson’s disease is […]

This past week marked the third anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Let’s celebrate by looking at some of the provisions that directly (and positively) affect seniors.   The ACA: Prohibits health insurance companies from imposing lifetime or annual benefit caps on health insurance policies and consumers; Requires health insurances to cover proven clinical […]

There really is no easy way to explain to your children how a patient with Alzheimer’s acts. With your help, your children can begin to understand what’s happening, and even play a role in maintaining the grandparent’s quality of life. You can simply explain to your children that when people get older, they sometimes need […]

In order to begin to understand Medicaid eligibility, you first need to understand how Medicaid will treat your assets. When you apply for Medicaid benefits, your assets are placed into two categories: “exempt” and “non-exempt” assets. “Exempt” assets are those that the applicant is permitted to retain and still become eligible for Medicaid.  However, “non-exempt” […]

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates 22% of the nation’s dogs and 25% of the cats live in a single-person household. If these people have no spouse or children, what will happen to their pets when they become incapacitated or pass away? Until around 10 years ago, pet owners had no formal legal way to leave […]

Pet Trusts: Ensuring Your Pet is in Good Hands The U.S. Census Bureau estimates 22% of the nation’s dogs and 25% of the cats live in a single-person household. If these people have no spouse or children, what will happen to their pets when they become incapacitated or pass away? Until around 10 years ago, […]

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Twenty million American families have at least one member with special needs.  Special needs individuals typically require assistance for disabilities that may be medical, mental, or psychological, and for impairments that could include autism, Down syndrome, mental illnesses, and blindness, among others. During his or her lifetime, your special needs child may depend on government […]

Incapacity Planning documents, including a Financial Power of Attorneyand Advance Medical Directive, only do what you want them to do if your loved ones know they exist and can locate them when needed. What if you don’t want to be hooked up to machines or be subjected to other medical heroics when you are in […]

In a recent study in Sweden, diabetes in mid-life was found to be associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s in later life. The study tested more than 2,000 men for blood glucose levels at age 50 and then tested them again 30 years later. Those with insulin problems at age 50 were nearly […]

If a member of the LGBT community fails to properly plan, the result can be devastating to his or her partner and family. Having no estate plan is tantamount to giving up control of one’s estate and management of one’s well-being in times of incapacity.The need for an estate plan is critical in case of […]

Having a loved one in a nursing home can be an emotional experience. You want to make sure their needs are met by the facility and that they are being given the care that was promised and that they deserve.  How do you ensure that this is happening? Start with your loved one, who will […]

Caring for a loved one with dementia poses many challenges for families and caregivers. People with dementia have a progressive brain disorder that makes it more and more difficult for them to remember things, think clearly, communicate with others, or take care of themselves. In addition, dementia can cause mood swings and even change a […]

Earlier this year, low-income Maryland residents with disabilities filed a class action lawsuit against the Maryland Department of Human Resources (DHR) over extensive Medicaid delays. The named plaintiff, Mary Lou Magee-Kern, lost her insurance benefits after her husband was laid off due to the economy. When she became unable to pay to see doctors to […]

A key feature of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the expansion of Medicaid to millions of low-income Americans, many of whom are uninsured.  Medicaid Expansion has been one of the most controversial parts of the new health care law, and some states are still deciding whether to take part in the expansion, including Virginia. […]

Just as a car needs regular maintenance, your estate planning documents need to be updated from time to time. Changes to the law and significant events in your life could alter the way that you originally meant to apportion assets in your estate planning documents. The only way to ensure that your estate plan truly […]