Q. I know that the Medicare Open Enrollment Period starts next month. Have there been any changes that I should know about in response to the coronavirus? Do you have any tips for Open Enrollment? This is my first one. Thanks for your help! A. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the United States for six […]
Does COVID-19 Have Any Connection to Parkinson’s Disease?
Dear Hayek, My uncle, Ronnie, died of complications from Parkinson’s Disease last year. He suffered for a long time with deteriorating mobility, speech issues, and inability to swallow. Eventually, he was diagnosed with dementia and succumbed to his illnesses. It was sad watching him, and now I am concerned about something I heard–that coronavirus may […]
Grandparents Are Experiencing Better Emotional Well-Being Than Others During The Pandemic
Dear Magic, My grandmother lives alone in a rural part of Virginia. We are concerned about her emotional well-being during the coronavirus pandemic, but don’t want to visit in fear of bringing germs to her home. I hear that older people are managing the best out of everyone on the mental and emotional front. Have […]
How Virginia, Maryland, and DC are Using Strike Teams to Combat COVID-19 in Nursing Homes
As of August 31, 2020, there are over 6 million cases of COVID-19 in the US and 183,000 people have died. There are many horrific tragedies that have occurred over the past six months, but one of the worst is how coronavirus decimated many nursing homes across the country. More than 70,000 people who were […]
More Caregivers are Experiencing Increased Burnout During Coronavirus Pandemic
Q. I have been the primary caregiver for my father with dementia for three years now. It was stressful before, but now even more so because of the pandemic. My new emotions deal with fear and anxiety over the virus and guilt about going out with friends or going shopping for fear of bringing home […]
Choosing a Nursing Home for a Loved One During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Q. My mother has dementia and seems to be declining rapidly. Her needs are becoming more than my father and I, and a nurse’s aide, can handle at home. We’ve decided the time has come to consider nursing home care. All of the news stories I have read about long-term care facilities during the coronavirus […]
Virginia’s Nursing Homes Prepare for New Testing Requirement
Dear Angel, My father is in a nursing home in Spotsylvania County. I am concerned about his safety during the coronavirus pandemic. One concern is staff coming to work sick or asymptomatic, which happened in a nursing home where his friend resides. How often are Virginia nursing homes supposed to conduct testing of staff? Thanks […]
Extra Financial Assistance for Caregivers at This Time
Dear Oakley, I am a caregiver for my aunt who has dementia, and who is also a veteran. I used to work part-time in addition to caregiving, but lost my job during the COVID-19 pandemic. Do you know of any extra financial assistance programs during this time? Thanks for your help! Keir Giver — Dear […]
Now May Be a Good Time to withdraw $100K from Your Retirement Accounts, Penalty-Free!
Q. My wife, Patty, and I are in our late 50’s and have been hit hard by COVID-19. Luckily, neither of us got the virus, but financially, we have been struggling. I got furloughed from my job and Patty teaches yoga, and the yoga studio where she teaches, like so many others during this pandemic, […]
Virginia, Maryland, and DC Now Allow Visitors in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities
Q. Last month, we had a scare when the nursing home where my mother, Marcia (85), who has dementia, resides called and said that she stopped eating and seems depressed and withdrawn. Although she doesn’t quite know who we are, my mother used to light up when we visited and brought the grandchildren. The nurse […]
Virginia Allocates $246 million to Help Long-term Care Facilities After COVID-19 Pandemic
At a retirement community in Springfield, the last scheduled event that Lea (88) attended was a Valentine’s Day dance in February. Since then, there have been no more potluck dinners, card games, special outings, or other social activities scheduled at Lea’s complex. And even as Virginia enters phase 3, it’s unclear to her when things […]
Futuristic Post-Pandemic Changes Coming to Senior Living?
Dear Angel, With the spread of COVID-19 in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and the danger it poses to residents, some things need to change now and for the future. What changes are being implemented and/or planned? Thanks! Chan Jess — Dear Chan, While it’s uncertain how or when the COVID-19 pandemic will end, […]
Keeping Seniors Safe as Things Reopen
Q. My granddaughter, Hailey, called the other day and she sounded happier than she has been in months. Her small business and other stores and restaurants in the DC Area are beginning to reopen starting today (Friday, 5/29). She told me that the stay-at-home order has been lifted and that several malls and restaurants will […]
Helping Veterans with PTSD During COVID-19
Q. I’m a new caregiver for my father, Ted. Since I began a few months ago, most of my caregiving has been at a distance, due to the coronavirus. Dad has Post-traumatic Stress Disorder from his time in the Vietnam War. What can I expect, as far as typical symptoms for PTSD? What can be […]
Resources for Veterans (and others) with PTSD During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Dear Hayek, My father is a veteran with PTSD who is being cared for at home by my mother. I know the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t been easy on them, having to stay at home all time and not being able to see their grandchildren in person. What can my mom do to help my dad […]
Should Nursing Homes Reopen to Visitors?
Q. My mother, Betty, is in a nursing home in Richmond. Although she has advanced dementia, I could tell that she always enjoyed our family’s visits. Her face always brightened when she saw me, my wife, and her grandchildren. She would smile when we looked through old photo albums, listened to her favorite songs, or […]
New Fairfax County Grocery Shopping and Pharmacy Pick-up Service for Older Adults
Dear Magic, My 85-year-old neighbor, Ruth, goes to the supermarket, but not often. Even with her facemask and rubber gloves, she doesn’t want to risk anything. She is not technologically savvy, so she cannot order online. I’ve helped a few times by picking her up some essentials, but I am so busy with my job […]
How the CARES Act Helps Older Adults
Q. My husband owns a small business and recently the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) established by the CARES Act helped provide his business with funds to pay 10 weeks of payroll costs. This act pretty much saved his business. I also heard that through the CARES Act, nearly a billion dollars is going towards senior […]
How the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Helps Feed Seniors in Need
Dear Angel, I heard about the CARES Act and how it helps seniors, as well as small businesses, and others during the coronavirus pandemic. Are there any other laws to help seniors with nutrition services? They are needed now more than ever, since it’s safer for seniors to remain in their homes to protect themselves […]
If You Needed a Ventilator, Would You Really Want One?
Q. My niece, Rebecca, was hospitalized with coronavirus last month and was placed on a ventilator. When her temperature was quite high and her oxygen levels were low and she needed life-saving measures, she didn’t have an advance medical directive in place to indicate her preferences, so they just went ahead and hooked her up […]