Parkinson’s disease affects one out of 100 Americans over the age of 60.  When it comes to neurodegenerative diseases, it is second only to Alzheimer’s. Symptoms may be mild at first but tend to worsen over time. There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but there are many medications available to treat the symptoms. […]

Ethical Wills are a way to honor the past, remember family and community, understand your own life better, and provide a lasting legacy for your family for generations to come. Ethical Wills enable you to document and share (in writing or via an audio or video recording) your values, your spiritual beliefs, and your “life’s […]

Attend our Senior Financial Wellness event on Monday, January 14 from 6-7:30 p.m. RSVP here. Are your file cabinets filled with old checks, bank statements, and pay stubs? While it’s sometimes tempting to keep every piece of paper in case you need it, there are documents you can go ahead and pitch.  Reducing that burden […]

  Proper preparation will keep your important documents safe and ensure that you have peace of mind during hurricanes or in any emergencies or natural disasters.   At Farr Law Firm, P.C., we offer a service called DocuBank to ensure that that important legal documents will be there when you need them most, such as when […]

The number of Alzheimer’s patients in the U.S. is expected to go from the current 5.4 million to 16 million by 2050.  Costs for care, mostly assumed by taxpayers, could rise from $200 billion this year to $1.1 trillion in 2050.  The few treatments that are currently available only ease symptoms temporarily. Patients and families […]

Last week, the “Fiscal Cliff” was averted and a budget agreement was signed into law by President Obama.  The “Fiscal Cliff” Deal will raise about $600 billion in taxes over the next decade, and includes two key actions that will impact people receiving and providing long-term care. One significant measure in the “Fiscal Cliff” Deal […]

The first week of January is usually a busy week for everyone. We set personal goals, get excited about the promises of a new year, and often just take time to catch up after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. In addition to being the start of a new year, this week is […]

As lawmakers left the Capitol for Christmas break, efforts to thwart the year-end “Fiscal Cliff” were in disarray.  If negotiations between Obama and Congress collapse completely, 2013 looks like a rocky year for seniors and all Americans. The following could happen: Taxes would jump $2,400 on average for families with incomes of $50,000 to $75,000.  […]

Happy New Year!  January is Financial Wellness Month.  It comes at a great time, since many seniors resolve to save money in the coming year.  What better way to start the year than by evaluating your Financial Wellness and learning tips to protect the money you have spent most of your life earning and saving.  […]

Yesterday, we reported about the changes to the criteria and categories of Autism Spectrum Disorders that are planned for the DSM-5.   Other changes in the DSM-5 include:•    A new diagnosis for severe recurrent temper tantrums – Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD). Some critics say this new diagnosis will cause some children who have normal […]

If you have a family member with autism, you have likely heard of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).   The DSM is published by the American Psychiatric Association and it is the primary manual used by clinicians to provide a formal diagnosis of autism and related disorders.  The 4th edition of the […]

The Veterans Administration has tightened restrictions on the room and board a veteran may deduct from income when applying for V.A. pensions and pensions with Veterans Aid & Attendance benefits.   For applications pending or submitted on or after October 26, 2012, room and board at a residential facility may be deducted as an unreimbursed medical […]

Human rights are the fundamental rights which every living person is entitled to, and are considered to be universal rights or laws regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. President Obama proclaimed this week, December 10-17, as Human Rights Week to encourage greater awareness of human rights and promote fairness and equality.  In light […]

After months of waiting for an answer about partial expansion of Medicaid, states received a reply from the Obama administration that if they partially expand Medicaid coverage, they will not receive the enhanced funding that would come with a full expansion. The Health and Human Services Secretary wrote a letter to governors Monday about the […]

Medicare was established in 1965, providing health insurance for people 65 and older, regardless of income or medical history.  Throughout their working lives, people pay into Medicare based on the assumption that they will have secure health coverage when they retire. Before Medicare, an estimated 50% of seniors had no health insurance, due to lower […]