Technology is playing a larger role in the lives of seniors, enabling them to be engaged, connected, mentally active, and physically safe. In fact, boomers are a part of one of the fastest growing demographics in terms of usage of social media and other technologies. It’s not surprising that the marketplace for technology for aging […]
Should I Prepay for My Funeral?
Dear Angel, My family recently sat down to discuss the difficult topic of death and dying. Thinking about it brought to mind our funerals. During a time of grief, I would hate to put my family through funeral planning and have them incur thousands of dollars in costs for a plot, burial, a service, and more. So, […]
How Presidential Candidates Stack Up When it Comes to Pets
Dear Angel, I am a pet lover who is undecided about who to support for president. Do you know where the candidates stand when it comes to animals? Kat Endogg-Luverr —- Dear Kat, Now this Is an important issue, especially when it comes to cats! In a nutshell, here is the information I was […]
Cats for Seniors Who are Allergic
Dear Angel, My mother loves pets, especially cuddly cats like you. She enjoys coming to Mr. Farr’s office to see you, but she needs to take an allergy pill every time. She is lonely and would really like a cat of her own, but is unwilling to take allergy pills every day or get allergy […]
Exciting Age-in-Place Technology from the 2015 mHealth Summit in DC
In Touch Health Robot When loved ones are living independently and you can’t be there all the time, you often worry about their safety and well-being. You may wonder if they are eating often enough, taking their medications, or what would happen if they fell. Now, with age-in-place technology, you can remotely monitor your loved […]
Multigenerational Playgrounds
Dear Commander Bun Bun, Last time my daughter, Katie, visited her grandmother, she mentioned that they went to a “playground for grandma.” I can’t imagine my 70- year old mother on the swings or climbing on the monkey bars. Katie reiterated that “it was a playground for grandmas and grandpas, and kids.” I never heard of such […]
Halloween Tips for When a Loved One has Dementia
Dear Commander Bun Bun, My mother has dementia and recently moved into our home. Before she was diagnosed, she loved Halloween, especially all the decorations, seeing the grandchildren dressed up in costumes, and eating the chocolate. This year, I am concerned about the stress that the doorbell ringing, the costumes, and the decorations may cause […]
New iPhone App Could Transform How We Diagnose Autism
Dear Commander Bun Bun, I heard somewhere that a new app has been developed by Apple that can be used to diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using facial expressions. Since you are attuned to what’s going on with technology, have you heard anything about this and how it works? Thanks, Di Agnosis —- Dear Di, […]
Is Estate Planning Needed for Cohabitating Couples?
Dear Commander Bun Bun, I live with my boyfriend, Rich, in a house we own together. For a number of reasons, we have decided not to get married, but will continue to cohabitate for the foreseeable future. Why would people in our situation need to do estate planning? Thanks! Liv Togeth-Herr — Dear Liv, Even though cohabitation may be […]
What Does CELA and CAP mean after Mr. Farr’s Name?
Dear Commander Bun Bun, I noticed that Mr. Farr has the letters “CELA” and “CAP” after his name. What do they mean? Thanks, Aubrey Veations —- Dear Aubrey, Good question. I used to ponder the same thing myself. I found the answers online on the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and the National […]
New IRA Rules Close the Loopholes
Dear Commander Bun Bun, I heard that there are some new rules that were proposed by President Obama that IRA owners should know before planning their estate or transferring money between IRAs. Do you know about them and, if so, can you explain? Thanks for your help! Ira Nurooles —- Dear Ira, Under President Obama’s […]
Amazing Technology to Age-in-Place (But Mom is Reluctant)
AliveCor Mobile ECG Q. My mother-in-law, Veronica, who is in her 70’s, shys away from anything that involves technology. She refuses to carry a cell phone, try an iPad, or send an email. My children would love to Skype with her, but she can’t figure out how to use Skype. My husband, on the other […]
What is the NOTICE Act?
Dear Baxter, I read that the Notice of Observation Treatment and Implication for Care Eligibility (NOTICE) Act passed the US Senate earlier this week. Can you explain what observation care means, and what this new law would entail? Thanks, Inda Hospitalle —- Dear Inda, Observation care is a hospital classification used when patients are not […]
Caregiving for a Veteran: Programs Mentioned at WHCOA
Dear Commander Bun Bun, In Mr. Farr’s recent article on the White House Conference on Aging (WHCOA), he talked a lot about caregiving, but didn’t mention anything about veterans, in particular. Can you elaborate on anything discussed at WHCOA that has to do specifically with caregiving and veterans? Thanks for your help! Cara Giver-Foravett —- […]
How to Transport Cremains
Dear Angel, My grandmother, who lives in California, indicated in her Advance Medical Directive that when she dies, she wants to be cremated and scattered with my grandfather at their favorite spot in Virginia. Is it possible to fly with cremated remains or send them in the mail? Thanks, Flynn W. Ashes — Dear Flynn, […]
Celebrating July 4th With a Loved One Who Has Dementia
Dear Commander Bun Bun, Every year, our neighborhood has a big July 4th celebration, with a fireworks display and a picnic. This year, my mother moved into our home and she has dementia. Do you have any recommendations for celebrating the 4th with someone with dementia? Thanks! Indy Pendens-Daye — Dear Indy, The July 4th […]
What are some of the free preventative health services provided under the Affordable Care Act (ACA)?
Dear Angel, I heard the good news about yesterday’s ruling that the ACA is here to stay. Can you tell me about some of the preventative health services I am eligible for under the ACA? Thanks, Anita Call Adocta —– Dear Anita, The ACA mandates expanded preventive health services for all Americans, including Medicare beneficiaries. […]
Want to lower your risk for Alzheimer’s? Babysit your grandkids!
Dear Commander Bun Bun, I take care of my 3 year old grandson, Jake, every day, and boy does he keep me moving. I read somewhere that spending time with grandchildren can help stave off Alzheimer’s. Have you heard anything about this? B.Z. Nanna —– Dear B.Z., Grandchildren keep seniors joyful and active. And you […]
Appliances That Speak to Each Other, and Other Incredible Aging-in-Place Technology
Robear Robot When Carol’s mother, Eleanor, had a stroke a few years back, she and her husband moved in with her. Eleanor was not very steady on her feet, and surfed the furniture to get around. Carol and her husband were always worried about her falling, especially in the bathroom. They became reluctant to leave her alone so, like Eleanor, they too became housebound. Carol and her […]
Are There Monetary Benefits for Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
Dear Commander Bun Bun, I write to you because I too was a Commander (in the U.S. Navy). I suffer from PTSD, and often have severe nightmares and flashbacks. I have been going to therapy for years, and even tried biofeedback, but it is becoming quite costly. Do you know of any benefits available to […]