Dear Commander Bun Bun, My neighbor, Shirley, meditates every day. She says it helps with several aspects of her health, including retaining memories. Do you know anything about this? Anita Relax — Dear Anita, Meditation has been scientifically proven in many studies to be an effective tool for mental, physical, and emotional senior health. In fact, many […]
Ask the Expert: Can You Deduct a Toupee from Taxes?
Q. My boyfriend, Richard, became self-conscious about his baldness last year and went out one day and purchased a toupee. We also took in a foster cat, landscaped our property, and installed an in-ground pool to help us stay fit. I know these things sound random, but I read online that you can deduct some […]
Want Free Long-Term Care? Try Medicare Part G.
Q. Nursing homes are so exorbitantly expensive. There is no way I can afford long-term care for myself, when the time comes, or for my husband, Morty. Is there any way to qualify for free long-term care in this country? A friend told me there’s a Medicare Part G that pays for free long-term care, […]
Spending Forever with Your Pet
Dear Saki and Alley, I am very attached to my cat, Jessie. We have been through thick and thin together. When I die, I would like to be buried with her. Is this a possibility? Love, Mike Att-Forever —————– Dear Mike, 62% of households own and love pets, including cats, dogs, birds, fish and more. When it comes […]
Hospice Care For Mom? But, She Isn’t Dying.
Q. My mother, Roxanne, 76, has suffered from lung disease for ten years. She still has her wits about her, and spends her days knitting, reading historical novels, and sipping tea. Recently, her doctor recommended hospice care, and I was perplexed by his recommendation. She has been living fine for a decade with her lung […]
Beating the Winter Blues
Dear Saki and Alley, I get depressed at this time of year, ever since my husband passed away. I had a full house for the holidays and everything seemed great, but now that it is over and the tree and decorations are gone, I am sad. I have physical and financial limitations that keep me […]
Would You Want This In Your Advance Medical Directive?
Jerome Medalie can’t imagine life with Alzheimer’s. And, he has made it known that he doesn’t want to be around if he can’t “recognize his loved ones” or “articulate coherent thoughts and sentences.” He did so formally and legally in his Advance Medical Directive. According to a recent New York Times blog post, if Jerome […]
Can Pets Get Dementia?
Earl and Linda’s silver poodle, Sophia, is fifteen years old. Recently, they have come home from work to find Sophia wandering aimlessly through the house and have noticed the trouble she is having finding the doggie door. Sophia used to jump up and twirl on her back legs for a treat, but she seems to […]
Helping Seniors with Winter Hazards
Dear Commander Bun Bun, My 80-year-old mother is having a rough time with this winter weather. Do you have any suggestions to help her deal with winter hazards? Thanks for your help, Cole Dowthere —- Dear Cole, The frigid winter weather we are experiencing can present severe challenges and potential hazards for seniors. Luckily, there […]
Common Estate Planning Mistakes Baby Boomers Should Avoid
Baby boomers, or those born between 1946 and 1964, are starting to retire in droves. For these people (and everyone else), it is important to create an estate plan to help protect assets and ensure that wishes are met in the event of death or incapacity. In doing so, it is critical to avoid mistakes […]
Stricter Law for Mature Drivers Goes into Effect in VA on New Years
As we age, specific abilities needed to drive safely — such as vision, memory, physical strength, reaction time, and flexibility — may decline. Although some seniors are among the safest drivers on the road, those driving with declining faculties can make it dangerous for themselves and others. To address the issue, Virginia will join 33 […]
Finding the Right Nursing Home
Carol and Bob invited his mother, Ginny, to spend the holidays with them, as she does every year. This year, her live-in caregiver expressed concern that it was not a good idea because Ginny’s dementia has gotten worse and she may not recognize her own grandchildren. Ginny cannot do much independently anymore and needs help […]
Reducing Holiday Stress for Seniors & Caregivers
Mary Ellen’s father, Hal, suffers from dementia and his health is declining rapidly. Her husband travels often and her mother recently had knee replacement surgery and has trouble getting around. Every night after work, she drops her children off at dance, tae kwon do, or soccer, and goes over to her parents’ house to help […]
Ask the Expert: 2015 Key Medicaid Dollar Amounts
Q. Every year your firm provides the key dollar amounts that are frequently used in elder law, including Medicaid figures, long-term care insurance deductibility limits, Medicare premiums, Social Security Disability, and Supplemental Security Income. Are these figures available for 2015 yet and, if so, can you tell me what some of the changes are for […]
MIT AgeLab’s Amazing Innovations for Seniors
Picture: Inside the MIT AgeLab, from telematicswire.net In 1900, life expectancy was just under 50. Today, people are living well into their 80’s, 90’s, and beyond. How can we make the most of the “bonus 30 years” we now have? According to the MIT AgeLab in Boston, MA, “longevity requires new thinking.” The MIT AgeLab was […]
Amazing Pets – Saving Senior’s Lives
Q. My mother, Jessica, lives alone and is considering adopting a pet. I am all in favor, but know it is a lot of work and vet visits are often expensive. For me, these things are certainly worth it. Despite the grooming costs, the heartworm pills, and the occasional sick visit, I wouldn’t give up […]
News from the Dementia Consortium
Yesterday, one of our staff members attended the Northern Virginia Dementia Care Consortium in Alexandria, VA. At the conference, leading experts on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias offered insights and shared best practices for caregivers and senior-serving professionals. The following is a compilation of some helpful information that our staff member gleaned from the presentations: […]
Caregiving in Other Countries- What We Can Learn
Each November, National Family Caregivers Month focuses on the challenges facing family caregivers. Sponsored each year by the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), this commemorative month recognizes more than 50 million family caregivers who spend an estimated 30 billion hours every year providing emotional, financial, nursing, social, homemaking, and other services to friends and loved ones. The estimated value of these caregiving services, if paid, would […]
Halloween Can Be Scary for those with Dementia
Q. My mother-in-law has dementia and lives at home with a caregiver to assist her with activities of daily living. Before she was diagnosed, she loved Halloween, especially all the decorations, seeing the grandchildren dressed up in costumes, and the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. The children also loved trick-or-treating at her home, because she would go all […]
Grandma Loves Halloween Candy: Tips for Eating Healthier
Dear Commander Bun Bun, My grandmother has gone through two bags of Halloween candy and there haven’t been any trick-or-treaters yet. At this rate, she will have to hang up a no more candy sign before school even lets out. This is not just the case on Halloween. She beelines for the candy aisle at […]