Dear Angel, We have a few more days left in the year to make gifts but we may hold off until next year. I heard the gift tax and estate tax limits went up for 2020. What will they be for the coming year? Will they stay that way with the election on the horizon? […]
How to Broach the Topic of Estate Planning During the Holidays
Dear Rune, We are hosting Christmas dinner this year and the entire family will be there. While we are all in one place, I was thinking it would be a good time to talk about estate planning and incapacity planning. What is the best way to broach the topic without causing family strife? Thanks! Taka […]
Current Tests for Alzheimer’s Disease
Dear Magic, After spending 30 minutes hunting for her car the other day in a parking lot and leaving the oven on in another instance, my mom thinks it’s time to ask her doctor for an Alzheimer’s test. I remember when my dad got tested a few years ago and he answered questions for his […]
Been the victim of a Social Security Scam? There’s a New Online Form for That!
Dear Magic, My mother was the victim of a Social Security scam. I told her she should report it, but whenever she tries, she is on hold for what seems like forever. Is there another way? Thanks, Ree Portit — Dear Ree, Social Security scams are the #1 type of fraud reported to the Federal […]
Keeping Your Digital Assets Safe and Up to Date
Dear Oakley, I completed my estate planning documents three years ago and haven’t thought about it since. My 30-year old son brought up a good point the other day that got me thinking: what about my online photos and videos and other digitally stored files, and even my social media and email accounts? I am […]
Open Enrollment 2020: How Veterans Can Best Maximize Their Benefits
Dear Rune, I am a veteran who wants to add Medicare Advantage benefits during open enrollment this year. I have a few questions about my veterans benefits and Medicare plans, and I’m hoping you can help. First, can Medicare Advantage and VA benefits work together? Also, are there any specific Medicare Advantage plans for veterans? […]
Retirement Expenses You May Not Think About
Dear Angel, My husband and I are planning for retirement and trying to figure out our expenses. We have considered fun expenses, such as travel and hobbies and many not-so-fun expenses, including health care, day-to-day bills, mortgage, and many other things. Are there any common expenses that seniors sometimes don’t think about when planning for […]
Convincing My Brother to Do Estate Planning
Dear Oakley, Welcome to the Critter Corner team! I’m really hoping you can help me with my dilemma. My wife and I recently did our estate planning, and I am convinced my twin brother’s family should too. He is reluctant to do so because he doesn’t think they need one, being 45 and in good […]
How Can You Get a Professional Evaluation of a Senior Loved One’s Driving?
Dear Hayek, My mother and I are concerned about my father’s ability to continue driving. He is confident, however, that he should still be on the road. He even offered to be evaluated by a professional. How do you go about doing so in Virginia? Does Medicare pay for driver evaluations? Thanks for your help, […]
Virginia and Washington, DC Both Earn ‘A’ on National Palliative Care Report Card
Dear Magic, I recently read that the state of Virginia and Washington, DC both received an ‘A’ grade for their palliative care offerings. Can you explain the difference between palliative care, hospice care, and end-of-life care? Thanks for your help! Palli Attive — Dear Palli, End-of-life care is the term used to describe the support […]
What Happens to Adults with Autism Who “Age Out”?
Dear Bebe, There is a lot of funding for research about early diagnosis and early intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, there doesn’t seem to be much attention paid to adults with ASD. My daughter is 18 and has ASD. What information can you provide to help someone who will be “aging […]
Were You Double Billed by Medicare in September?
Dear Rune, Welcome to the Critter Corner! I hope you can help me. I believe I may have been double billed last month by Medicare. Is t his something that you have heard about, and if so, what should I do? Thanks for your help! Bill Twyce — Dear Bill, Thanks! I am very glad […]
Adaptive Equipment Can Increase Driver Safety
Dear Angel, My sister loves to drive her Mini Cooper with the roof down when the weather is nice outside. She has some physical ailments that I feel make it unsafe for her to drive, though. This makes me worry when she is on the road. For instance, due to neck pain, her peripheral vision […]
A Friendship Line for Lonely Seniors
Dear Ernie and Janette, My father died earlier this year and my mom lives alone. She has friends she sees sometimes, but I can tell she is lonely. I talk to her as much as my schedule allows, but unfortunately, that’s not enough. Is there a place that you know of that she can call […]
Tips for Seniors Who are Downsizing
Dear Magic, My parents are downsizing and don’t know where to begin. You seem like a neat bunny without a lot of stuff. What advice can you give seniors who are downsizing? Dawn Sizing — Dear Dawn, World-renowned organization expert and author Marie Kondo’s methods are very helpful for seniors who may need to downsize. […]
What if the Bank Refuses to Accept a Power of Attorney?
Dear Bebe, My friend’s brother had a stroke and is now incapacitated. As his agent under his Power of Attorney, my friend needs to take over his finances. She recently went to his bank and was told that the bank will not accept his Power of Attorney because it was set up 14 years ago […]
Are We Nearing the End of Medicare’s Three-Day Rule?
Dear Ernie and Jannette, I recently saw a tweet from Seema Verma, the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). She made it sound like an end is in sight for Medicare’s Three-Day Rule. Do you know if this is true? Thanks for your help! N. Dinsite — Dear N. Dinsite, For […]
Supported Decision-Making Instead of Guardianship in DC
Dear Hayek, I read that once a senior is declared incapacitated and has a guardian placed on him or her, it is really hard to terminate the situation. Is that really the case? I heard about some positive change happening as far as guardianship and senior rights in DC. Can you tell me more […]
New Virginia Law Removes Age Cap on Autism Coverage
Dear Magic, Our daughter, Rachael, has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Since she was a toddler, we have been taking her for every early intervention therapy there is, including Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), speech, and occupational therapy. We are thankful that these are mostly covered by insurance, or we’d likely be broke. Rachael is in middle […]
Fospice Care for Senior Pets in Fairfax
Dear Angel, I know when humans are in their last months of life, their families may opt for hospice care. What happens to animals in their last months of life if they don’t have a loving home? Karen Forpetz — Dear Karen, Some pets may be elderly with cancer, limited mobility, or no teeth, but […]
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