Susan and Joe never thought that they would need long-term care. They were both healthy eaters, marathon runners, and world travelers. To their surprise, when Joe was 67 years old, he developed Parkinson’s. At first, it wasn’t too bad, and he continued enjoying his hobbies with his wife. But as his condition worsened, his motor […]
What’s the Difference Between a Revocable and an Irrevocable Trust?
Q. I read your recent article about wills and probate last week. I decided that I love my family way too much to put them through such a nightmare, costing them their privacy, time, frustration, and money. We’ve decided that a trust is the way my husband and I should go when it comes to […]
Questions to Ask at a Family Meeting
Dear Ernie and Jannette, My wife and I have a family meeting planned where we will be discussing senior housing and end-of–life options for her mother, who is in the initial stage of Alzheimer’s, so now is a good time to figure out the best way to proceed. I know with all of the different […]
Division One Cheerleader at Mason is Breaking Barriers
Ann Catherine Heigl, a 19-year-old with Down syndrome, graduated from high school and became a student of George Mason University, through their LIFE program, a full-time college program for intellectually and developmentally disabled students. It’s one of only a few full-time college programs for people with special needs. Not only is Ann Catherine an engaging […]
He Built Me a She-Shed, and Now He Wants to DIY Everything!
Q. My husband, James, retired last year after 35 years of teaching middle school history. He loved to teach, so in his spare time, he now tutors students. Besides tutoring, he loves working with his hands, so he became a Do-it-Yourselfer. To my surprise, for my 60th birthday, he built me a “she-shed,” where I […]
Is a Last Will and Testament Enough?
Dear Angel, My sister wants to save money on estate planning. She is considering Do it Yourself (DIY) forms that she saw online, or if she does go to an attorney, she said that a Will should be enough. Is that true? Thanks for your help! Will Snaughtenuff—Dear Will, It is commendable that your sister […]
Take Advantage of This Popular Social Security Claiming Strategy Before It Ends This Year
Fred is 68 and collecting Social Security. His wife Lisa will be 66 in the spring and plans to retire. To maximize her Social Security, Lisa is considering filing for spousal benefits at 66 and then delaying the filing for her benefits until her full retirement age of 70. She is wondering if this is […]
What to Do When Long-Term Care Insurance Premiums are Skyrocketing
Q. Last week my friend, Patty, received notice of a substantial increase in her long-term care insurance premiums. She was so upset that she fired off an email to the Virginia Insurance Commissioner, Scott White, exclaiming how appalled she is that he gave his okay to such an egregious increase. Patty and her husband, Frank, […]
The Home Genetic Test Told Me I Had the Alzheimer’s Gene
Dear Magic, I got a home genetic test for Christmas last year. I found out I am Irish, so this year I will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day for real! When I got the results back, they gave me the option to do the health screening. I paid the extra money and got those results, […]
Is Alzheimer’s Linked to Gum Disease?
Barbara recently went for her semi-annual dental cleaning and check-up and was told she has gingivitis (gum disease). She wasn’t surprised, as she has had a history of tooth decay and gum disease since she was a child. She always took care of her teeth, but she was told she is “more susceptible” to such […]
What to Do When a Loved One is Terminally Ill
When Leanne’s father was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), his family knew the prognosis was not good. The average survival time for FTD is typically 3-5 years, and Leanne’s father has already had the disease for two years. Leanne and her brother really want to spend quality time with their father, but they’ve come to […]
Caregiving for Veterans — There’s a Map for That
John was an Army officer who was struck by a bomb blast that threw him 20 feet from where he was standing while on a patrol. After a few months of recovery, John’s family realized something was very wrong. He began having spells of confusion and memory loss, and as he got older, things got […]
A BOLD Step in the Fight Against Alzheimer’s
Q. I have a close friend who was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She is one of many family friends and relatives that have the debilitating disease. When I think about them and the health crisis that Alzheimer’s has become, I think how there should be more laws out there and more funding for education and […]
Can the Dangerous Consequences of Hearing Loss be Lessened by OTC Hearing Aids?
Dear Magic, My daughters and I suspect that my wife is experiencing hearing loss, but hearing aids are so expensive. I heard something about legislation that passed making them available over the counter. Is this true, and if so, do you know when this will start? Also, is it true that untreated hearing loss can […]
The Cost of Long-Term Care is On the Rise
Stanley and June Blum have been married for more than 75 years and are approaching the second century of life. Stanley is 97 and June is 96. Stanley is a retired shoe-industry executive who paints and writes poetry, while June is a psychologist who still works part-time. They own a home in the city and […]
Top 18 Articles of 2018
From consequences related to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to changes in Veterans’ Pension Laws, we covered a lot of ground in 2018. It was a year that marked the passage of the CHRONIC Care Act, the ACA being struck down by a Federal District Court, and amazing new technological innovations […]
Why Seniors Should Consider Making New Year’s Resolutions
Dear Ernie and Jannette, Happy New Year! I typically don’t make New Year’s resolutions, because I know I won’t keep them. But, this year, I want things to be different. I read somewhere that setting resolutions has practical value for older people and can impact your overall health positively. Can you help me pinpoint resolutions […]
Can Dementia Symptoms Come and Go?
Q. My husband, my kids, and I visited my mother this year for the holidays. Mom was diagnosed with dementia last year, so I took some of Magic the bunny’s advice from Critter Corner on how best to celebrate the holiday with her. We gave her space during the festivities, and for the most part, […]
Alzheimer’s Breakthroughs in 2018
Dear Bebe, I have read so many stories about Alzheimer’s “breakthroughs” this year. What are some of the most promising ones? Thanks, Bray Kathrews Dear Bray, Despite millions of dollars and years of research, there is still no cure for Alzheimer’s. One promising thing to note is that this past year, the National Institute of […]
What the ACA Verdict Means for Seniors
Q. I recently read that a federal court ruled to strike down the Affordable Care Act? Sounds kind of scary if you ask me. How is this going to affect seniors and people with disabilities? A.You are correct. US District Court Judge Reed O’Connor rendered his decision to invalidate the entire Affordable Care Act. According […]
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