If you have Original Medicare and want help covering the out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare doesn’t pay — such as deductibles, coinsurance, and co-payments — you probably already have Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Med Supp and Medigap coverage. These plans are sold by private insurance companies but are standardized by the federal government. […]
When the Brain Feels Divine: Seizures, Dementia, and Spiritual Unity
When the Brain Feels Divine: Seizures, Dementia, and the Spiritual Unity Experience Temporal Lobe Seizures, Frontotemporal Dementia, and the Mystery of Spiritual Experience The human brain is capable of extraordinary things. In particular, the temporal lobes — structures nestled on either side of the brain — are deeply involved in memory, emotion, sensory processing, and, […]
FDA Clears First Widely Available Alzheimer’s Blood Test
A Memorial Day Message and a Major Step Forward in Alzheimer’s Diagnosis This Memorial Day, we honor the courage and sacrifice of those who served our country. It’s also a time many families gather — and take a moment to reflect on legacy, aging, and the future. That makes it an especially meaningful time to […]
What’s in a Name? “Rehab” vs. “Subacute Care” in Virginia, Maryland, and DC
When a loved one is hospitalized and begins to recover, doctors and discharge planners will often recommend transfer to another facility for ongoing care. But depending on whether you’re in Virginia, Maryland, or the District of Columbia, the terminology used to describe this next level of care may sound very different — even when the […]
News Alert: Did Yesterday’s Medicaid Payment System “Blackout” Change Anything?
Temporary Medicaid Blackout Yesterday, President Trump’s administration announced a freeze on federal grants and loans to assess their alignment with the administration’s priorities. Although Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid were supposed to be exempt, the freeze (caused by an inadvertent server “outage” according to the Trump administration) temporarily affected Medicaid payment portals, causing great concern […]
Can Used Pacemakers be Donated to Pets?
Dear Raider, In early December, I came across a post on Facebook that showed an X-ray of a dog with an implanted pacemaker. The post read: “If you have a pacemaker, you can put it in your Will to have your pacemaker donated to a dog in need after you pass. Pacemakers cannot be donated […]
Strokes in Younger People Are Increasing Even As New Stroke Prevention Guidelines Are Released
Recently, I’ve met with several married couples in their 50s where one spouse had a stroke and needed nursing home care – one had a stroke in his 40s and has been in a nursing home for many years already. This prompted me to do some research on the subject, and I found that strokes […]
Most Americans Are in Favor of Assisted Suicide for Terminally Ill, Gallup Poll Says
The Room Next Door is a recent film that was adapted from Sigrid Nunez’s novel, What Are You Going Through, and tells the story of two women — Martha, played by Tilda Swinton, and Ingrid, portrayed by Julianne Moore. The former work colleagues reunite after many years under emotionally charged circumstances, when Martha has terminal […]
Ten Things to Know About the New FDA Approved Alzheimer’s Drug, Kisunla (donanemab)
Pat Bishara, 79, was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment in late 2017. Beginning in 2021, she participated in both the phase 3 trial and the extension trial for donanemab. Along with the monthly infusion, she was also regularly evaluated by a psychologist. She had her final infusion last month. When asked about her progress, Bishara […]
Columbian Woman Continues to Offer Clues to Escaping the Genetic Fate of Alzheimer’s
As an elder care law firm, we strive twice a week to bring our readers timely information on developing topics in the field of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. In the past, we wrote about Aliria Rosa Piedrahita de Villegas, a Columbian woman who was remarkably protected from the effects of Alzheimer’s, despite the […]
A Screening Tool Exists that Accurately Predicts End-of-Life
Q. I read somewhere that there is a screening tool that was developed to more accurately predict someone’s risk of dying based on different factors. Do you know more about this or other screening tools that are out there and how they work? Is this too much information, or can people use this information to […]
Can Alzheimer’s Symptoms Be Reversed? Sanjay Gupta Explains in Newest Documentary
Dear Angel, I recently read about “The Last Alzheimer’s Patient,” starring Dr. Sanjay Gupta. The documentary describes Alzheimer’s patient Cici Zerbe, who claims that her early Alzheimer’s symptoms have been reversed. This was after she participated in Dr. Dean Ornish’s clinical trial on how intensive lifestyle changes can halt the progression of early Alzheimer’s. Do […]
Comparing a Typical Advance Medical Directive to the Farr Law Firm’s 4 Needs Advance Medical Directive®
Benjamin Franklin once said “(n)othing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Today (April 16) is National Healthcare Decisions Day, a day for health care decision planning. And, in keeping with Franklin’s famous quote, each year National Healthcare Decisions Day is observed the day after Tax Day. National Healthcare Decisions Day is […]
Speed of Speech, Rather Than Loss of Words, May Be an Early Indicator of Dementia
Years before they were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, subtle changes became apparent in the spoken and written words of public figures Ronald Reagan and Iris Murdoch. During non-scripted public speaking, the late President Reagan showed a significant reduction in the number of unique words he used and a notable increase in the use of fillers and […]
Liability of Drivers (and Their Family Members) Who Drive with Dementia. New Digital Tool Helps Determine When It’s Time to Stop Driving!
Approximately one in nine Americans ages 65 and older, or 6.7 million people, are estimated to live with Alzheimer’s disease, and millions more have other types of dementia. What’s alarming is that the majority of older adults with cognitive impairment are still driving, despite concerns raised by caregivers and others, according to a study that […]
Does Tai Chi Boost Your Memory?
Dear Hayek, A friend of mine does tai chi once a week because she says that it is good for boosting memory. If this is the case, I will sign up myself! Do you know of any research to corroborate her claim? Thanks for your help! Ty Chee — Dear Ty, Exercise is widely […]
Could Forgetfulness and Disorganization in Seniors Be ADHD, and Not Mild Cognitive Impairment?
Q. Lately, I’ve become quite forgetful and have been struggling with paying attention to things, impulsivity, and an inability to plan as well as I used to. When I think of cognitive impairment, I think of short-term memory loss, and that doesn’t exactly describe what is happening with me. Oddly, I feel more like my […]
What Are the “Big Five” Personality Traits that Can Contribute to Dementia Risk?
Roxanne is 76 and recently started hiking and swimming with fellow enthusiasts from different generations. David, a retired attorney in his 80s, got bored and went back to school and studied for his CPA. He works for a few months a year, helping people with their taxes. Ellen, 90, found a way to connect with […]
How Can Alzheimer’s Drugs Get to the Brain Faster?
Q. My sister is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, and she may be a candidate for the drug Leqembi, to help slow down the progression. I read that a way to expedite the process and get Alzheimer’s drugs to the brain quicker was recently introduced. What is this all about? I am hoping that […]
How to Talk to a Child or Grandchild about a Loved One’s Dementia
Q. My father, who has Alzheimer’s, is coming to stay with us for the holidays this year. My children, who are 7, 10, and 13, saw him last year, but his symptoms have gotten a lot more severe since then. We didn’t say anything then because we didn’t think they’d understand. Now, we feel like […]
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