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 […]

Every year, thousands of Medicare patients spend time in the hospital for “observation,” but are not officially admitted. Many Medicare recipients don’t realize that the time they spend in the hospital under “observation” status cannot be counted towards the 3-day inpatient hospital stay required for Medicare coverage.  In these cases, Medicare will not cover any medications the hospital provides for pre-existing health problems. In addition, the biggest problem is […]

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that impairs motor skills and speech.  In its advanced stages, sufferers could become disabled, with problems feeding themselves, talking, and walking. Nearly 1.5 million Americans live with Parkinson’s disease (PD), and there is no cure. In a recent study published in Neurology Magazine, researchers […]

Over 3 million Americans receive care in nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities each year, and nearly one million persons reside in assisted living facilities. Data about infections in long-term care facilities are limited, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 million to 3 million serious infections occur every year. […]