Mike is 58 and hopes to retire from the government in seven years. His wife Diane will be 56 in the spring and plans to retire when Mike does. Similar to most people these days, they are staying at home and have had some time to think about their future and their retirement. Mike and […]
Should I Update My Incapacity Planning Preferences Because of the Coronavirus Pandemic?
Dear Ernie and Jannette, I have seen friends and family fall ill with coronavirus. Luckily, they all survived. It got me to thinking that I need to review and update my advance directives at this time to make sure what I wanted before is still relevant if I should get coronavirus. I did my planning […]
How a 104-year-old Survived Coronavirus
William “Bill” Lapschies, a 104-year-old World War II veteran, has recovered from coronavirus, making him the oldest survivor of the pandemic in the United States. Two others in their 100’s also survived–one in Italy and one in China. Bill, who also survived the Spanish flu, reportedly recovered from coronavirus just in time for his 104th […]
How to Relieve Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Dear Oakley, We’ve been home for a month now and every day is the same. I honestly don’t know what day it is anymore, and I’ve lost that excitement that usually came with Fridays or the anxiety when Monday comes again. It feels like I’m the star of the movie, “Groundhog Day,” where every day […]
Why Special Needs Planning Is Even More Important During a Pandemic (Part 4 of a 4-part Series)
In what was originally a three-part series, I have decided to add one more essential part about special needs planning and why it’s especially important during a pandemic. In part one of this series, I discussed why estate planning is of vital importance during this global pandemic. In part two, I explored elder law and […]
Are They Moving Coronavirus Patients into Nursing Homes?
Q. My mother, Phyllis, is in a nursing home in Northern Virginia. I heard that across the country, they are moving coronavirus patients into nursing homes. I understand that my mom is quarantined to her room, but I still think that this a bad idea given that seniors (particularly nursing home patients) are among the […]
Can Coronavirus Affect Pets?
Dear Angel, I am the proud mom of three dogs, who are getting lots of attention with my husband and I working from home, and with the kids here too. They mostly stay in the house but enjoy long exercise walks around dinner time. We also have a gray outdoor cat, who visits each day. […]
Why Retirement Planning Is Even More Important During a Pandemic (Part 3 of a 3-part Series)
Randy Smythe, 60, took an early retirement last September after a career in e-commerce sales and soon took off to spend a year visiting the national parks while renting out his home. Now, similar to most Americans, he’s stuck at home because of the coronavirus pandemic and still two years away from eligibility for Social […]
Groundbreaking Decision Made on Observation Status Appeals
Q. My mother, Ellen, spent a week in the hospital and ended up having surgery. She was seen by doctors and nurses, given several tests, had the surgery, and then got sent to a nursing home for two weeks of rehabilitation. She is certain that she was “inpatient” and then later switched to “observation status.” […]
Why Long-Term Care Planning is Even More Important During a Pandemic (Part 2 of a 3-part Series)
Suzanne is a family caregiver for her 75-year-old mother who has dementia and for her two young children. She is most concerned about her mother, who has a weakened immune system, and her infant son, being only 2 months old. With no vaccine at the moment, the best thing caregivers similar to Suzanne can do […]
When Your Loved One is in a Nursing Home During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Q. My husband, Bill, is currently in a nursing home with frontotemporal dementia. We are not able to visit him at this time, which is especially difficult for him and for us. He is declining quickly, so I was trying to visit at least twice a week before, but I understand that it’s for the […]
Some Uplifting Nursing Home Stories Amid Coronavirus
Dear Hayek, My grandmother is in a nursing home and I am worried about her. I write her letters and talk with her via phone and FaceTime, but I can tell she is still lonely. Are there any uplifting stories you can share about nursing homes during this difficult time? I’m hoping for some creative […]
Why Estate Planning is Even More Important During a Pandemic (Part 1 of a 3-part Series)
As Millie sits in her kitchen homeschooling her children, she realizes that she really doesn’t remember much of the math she learned in 5th grade. During a break, she turns on the television and a news brief flashes on the screen with Governor Northam informing Virginia residents that schools will be closed for the remainder […]
When Healthcare is Not Accessible
Q. I grew up in Northern Virginia and still live here with my wife and two children. Five years ago, my parents sold their home and moved to a more rural part of the state to get away from the traffic and congestion. My mother passed away since then and my father developed an illness […]
Steer Clear of these Coronavirus Scams
Dear Angel, My mom is home alone during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. She gets lots of calls that seem suspect. For instance, someone called her trying to sell her face masks and someone else called asking for donations, claiming they were from the CDC. What are some of the most common COVID-19 scams out there […]
When a Pandemic Makes You Feel Like an Inmate
Mark, 82, moved into assisted living a month ago, just before the coronavirus pandemic. He needed more help than could be provided in his home by his daughter. He also wanted his daughter to have the opportunity to go back to work full-time, as he knew she really wanted to do. The decision seemed like […]
An Update Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Dear Clients and Friends, As a valued member of the Farr Law Firm family, I appreciate the trust you place in our law firm. I understand that the coronavirus (COVID-19) is worrisome to many in our community, country, and across the world. That’s why I want to personally update you on the steps we are […]