Louise and Mark were married 50 years when Mark fell and broke his hip. Following hip surgery, Mark went to a nursing home for routine therapy. A previous stroke a few years before this had significantly weakened his body; thus, he was now unable to rally and achieve mobility again. For the past several years, […]
What is the Difference Between a NORC and a NOSS?
Q. My parents are deciding whether to stay in their home or to downsize to an apartment. Currently, they live in a single-family home in an established neighborhood, where most of their neighbors are original owners who have lived in their homes since 1965. The location they live in is so convenient, so most people […]
Reverse Mortgages: Yes or No?
Q. I retired last year at the age of 64, and my wife has been a homemaker for quite a while. We are glad that I am retired and we are free to do what we want (we have quite a lengthy bucket list!), but we came to realize that, despite my pension, we just […]
What’s Your Secret, Michael J. Fox?
Michael J. Fox has had Parkinson’s Disease for 26 years. Yet, he is still smiling. At 55, the father of four is happily married to actress Tracy Pollan, and his mind is still as sharp as a tack. Against all odds, he has continued to act, earning his 18th Emmy nomination last year for his […]
Overcoming the Fear of Death
Q. My mother always said that there are two topics to avoid in conversation, whenever possible: religion and politics. Unlike some of my Facebook friends and others I have known, I took this advice to heart and don’t have many enemies. Now that she is in her 80’s, and I am in my 60’s, and my daughter is nearly […]
New Technology for Better Aging
GPS SmartSole Many of us want to age-in-place as we get older. Unfortunately, in most cases, safety, health issues, and social isolation can interfere with that plan. This is why a growing number of seniors and their caregivers are turning to technology that helps them to age comfortably in their homes for as long as possible. New technology, including gadgets and apps, can remind seniors to take their medication and let others […]
How to Minimize Family Conflict Over Your Estate Planning Wishes
Q. My children are very different, and sadly they don’t get along. My son, John, has been a PhD student for more than 10 years now. He insists that his research is going well and that he will be done soon. At the age of 45, he still lives in our basement with his wife, and their two children, because they can’t afford their […]
I Don’t Want Your Vacation Home, Mom!
Dear Commander Bun Bun, My mother just did her estate planning and she told me she will be leaving us her vacation home. My father is deceased, and I am an only child. Despite her generosity, my family doesn’t want the home, and we told her that in the nicest way possible, but she still […]
Part 2 of 2: Natural Remedies for Dementia
Dementia is a devastating disease. Most of us have seen or experienced the toll on families that comes with caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Currently, there are an estimated 8.5 million family members providing dementia care at home and, with no cure on the horizon, this number is expected […]
When They Ask if You Can Hear Them, Say “No!”
Q. I think my mother was the victim of a scam. She had some suspect charges on her credit card last month for more than $500 and was quite upset when the bank called and told her that her bank card was compromised, as well. I asked her if she gave her credit card number […]
How to Care for a Loved One When You Are Sick Yourself
Q. I am a new caregiver for my mother, who has had Parkinson’s for nearly a decade. My father passed away recently, so now it’s just me, my mom, my two children, and my husband, who travels frequently for work. We have no other family living nearby, unfortunately. Last year, I had the flu and […]
Family Caregivers in 35 States Now Get More Support from Hospital to Home
A few years ago, Gwen’s mother, Emily, was discharged from the hospital after a short stay. When Emily was ready to go home, Gwen arrived to find her mother dressed and sitting in a wheelchair with a list of medications on her lap. Gwen was never given instructions on her mother’s new prescriptions, and assumed […]
But I’m NOT Sick!
Q. Sometimes when I walk my dogs, I see my neighbor Adam swinging on the swing his parents installed on their front porch. I am a pretty friendly person and usually greet all of my neighbors when I see them outside, and make small talk. Adam is a little different, however. He is in his […]
Bipartisan Efforts to Help Those with Mental Illness
Dear Angel, My son has bipolar disorder, and he was taking advantage of mental health treatment services under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Since the new administration took office, I know some changes will be made to mental health service offerings with the introduction of the ‘repeal and replace’ proposal. Do you know about any major changes that are being proposed? What can we do to plan for our son’s future well-being, should something happen […]
Dementia Therapies That Really Work
Mary’s husband passed away after 55 years of marriage. She was diagnosed with early stage dementia, and lived alone for a while. She was depressed and didn’t make much contact with others. Her daughter convinced her to move to an assisted living community before her disease progresses, so she would have others to talk to […]
Tax Advantages and Overlooked Deductions for Retirees
Q. April 15 is quickly approaching, and my husband and I are planning on doing our taxes soon. As retirees, I know that there must be some deductions that we may be overlooking. Of course, similar to most seniors on a fixed income, we want to deduct all we can. Are you aware of any tax advantages or overlooked deductions for retirees for 2016 taxes? A. Tax season is here and, as you mentioned, it’s important to be […]
The Financial Problems of CCRCs
A Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) is an age-restricted community where, in most cases, incoming residents must be at least age 55 or older. The facilities offer independent-living units, assisted living units, and skilled nursing all in the same building or on the same campus. In addition to paying a sizable entrance fee, residents pay […]
Have You Prepared for Your Digital Afterlife? Most People Haven’t.
Q. My mother is very tech savvy. She is always on Facebook posting pictures, articles, and recipes. She uses online bill pay to pay most of her bills, and Microsoft Office 365 to keep a daily diary in Word and her monthly budget in Excel. She uses different passwords for everything, since she feels like […]
Military Families Feeling Financially Stretched by Elder Care
Captain David Steere’s father was a Class of 1931 Naval Academy Graduate. At the end of his life, he was living in assisted care and having trouble making ends meet. David is now retired from the Navy himself, and is concerned about his own ability to afford long-term care, should the time come when he […]
What Exactly is a CCRC and Is It Right for My Mom?
Dear Ribbit, We are looking for the right living arrangement for my mother. We have considered assisted living (AL), but she will likely need more care that an AL facility can provide in a couple of years. I heard about Continuing Care Retirement Communities, but don’t know much about them. Can you tell me more […]
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