If you are one of those people who waited until the very last minute to complete and send in your taxes, you want to make sure you take all of the deductions you’re entitled to. Last month, I wrote a blog post with some often overlooked deductions. Today, I will share some of the wackiest […]

Q. My next door neighbor is a retired financial planner. We walk every morning to stay in shape and maintain good health. This morning, I brought up the topic of whether my father’s IRA would be countable if he applies for Medicaid. Due to the complexity of Medicaid, she suggested that I ask an experienced […]

Q. My sister, Peggy, recently became a full-time caregiver for our 72-year old father, Joe. Since he served during the Vietnam War, he has had flashbacks that still affect him and keep him up at night. He suffered at least one stroke in the last 5 years, has trouble walking, seeing, and hearing. My sister […]

Over the past several weeks, hundreds of Fairfax County residents have received phone calls from scammers who tell them “Your driver’s license has been suspended. You will be arrested. You will be deported. We are on our way to your home right now.” These are just a few of the many threats that scammers are […]

John’s mother, Elizabeth, was always close with John’s 10-year old daughter, Anna. Before she Elizabeth diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she lived in John’s home and watched Anna for years while John was at work. As Elizabeth’s disease progressed, spending time with her became difficult for Anna. There was no easy way to explain to Anna how […]

Mt. Vernon at Home Village Residents Playing Pool Q. I grew up in Northern Virginia and raised three children here. Now, they’re spread out across the world – one in Florida, one in Oregon, and one in Texas. All three children have invited me to move closer to them, but I prefer to remain in […]

Q. My mother, Sheila, and my father, Tim, always lived in the moment and steered clear of discussions about getting older, retirement, and planning for the future. They lived in a rural part of Virginia and were convinced that Social Security and Medicare would be enough for them to get by on when they retired. […]

Q. My 6-year-old son, Jackson, was recently diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To better his chances for a productive life, I signed him up for play therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, as the developmental pediatrician suggested. However, despite all of the help and suggestions from the therapists, it is often hard to understand his perplexing and often difficult behaviors. Honestly, […]

An estimated 5.4 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, and 70% are cared for in the community by family members and friends. Unfortunately, most people with dementia who live at home have multiple unmet health needs, any number of which could jeopardize their ability to remain home […]

The Medicaid program is our country’s largest health and long-term care insurer, covering one in six Americans, including two-thirds of nursing home residents and one in five persons under 65 with chronic disabilities. A look at the facts about Medicaid uncovers many common misconceptions about the program that are simply myths. Today, we will take […]

As tax time draws near, you want to make sure you file all the proper forms and take all deductions you’re entitled to. The following are some helpful but often overlooked deductions to keep in mind as you prepare your 2013 taxes: Estate Planning Attorney Fees: If you met with an estate planning attorney within […]

Joyce Griffen, a retired anthropology professor at Dartmouth University, spends many hours a week rehearsing and playing different roles. She’s not involved in theater and hasn’t been since college. However, in a week’s time, she can assume the role of someone with dementia, Parkinson’s, chronic pain, and other age-related disorders. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 90% of Americans who need long term care get it […]

Q. My mother, Bunny, was told she is being discharged from the nursing home in which she resides. She and I are completely against this. For what reasons may a nursing home discharge a resident and what recourse do we have? A. Nursing homes are required to follow certain procedures before discharging a resident, but a facility […]

In the past, our newsletter featured a series of articles entitled “Lessons Learned from Estate Planning Mistakes of Celebrities,” demonstrating why probate is such a nightmare and lessons that can be learned from the costly mistakes of celebrities. Celebrities, including James Gandolfini, Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse, Etta James, and Michael Crichton, who made estate planning […]

Cremation is quickly becoming a preferred method of memorial in the U.S., and it is projected that 40-45% of those who pass away will be cremated this year, according to the Cremation Association of North America. Projections are that nearly 60% of the U.S. population will be choosing cremation by the year 2025.  Many people […]

Q. I am a caregiver for my husband of 10 years, Frank, who is 75 and has dementia. As his dementia is worsening, bills are piling up and decisions about long-term care need to be made. I am feeling alone, exhausted, and overwhelmed, and could use some help from my husband’s two adult daughters from […]

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 35% of Americans over 65 are considered physically fit. Many people don’t realize the countless benefits of exercise, including how it helps:  reduce the risk of many diseases; stave off depression; manage stress; and keep our minds sharp. In some instances, exercise can even lower […]

Mary is a caregiver for her mother, Charlotte, who is in the early stages of dementia. She has seen her mother’s symptoms of forgetting who family members are, having difficulty communicating and remembering the right words to use, and becoming irrationally suspicious of those around her. She has witnessed her mother forgetting how to turn […]

An estimated 5.2 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s disease. This includes an estimated 5 million people age 65 and older and approximately 200,000 individuals younger than age 65. When Alzheimer’s disease touches someone close to you, it’s natural to want to honor or remember the person in a special way. Now, you can […]

LGBT married couples can now celebrate another important victory in their fight for equal rights. The U.S. Justice department will soon grant them the same rights in legal matters as married heterosexual couples. These new guidelines are the latest effect of the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage that struck down the Defense of Marriage […]