Critter Corner: What If I Claimed Social Security Too Early?

Dear Magic,In June of 2010, when I was 62 years old, I decided to quit working and take Social Security. I was afraid Social Security might go away before my full retirement age, or that I might die before that time, so I went … [Read more...]

Paying for Long-Term Care . . . through Payroll?

Laurie Jinkins, a state representative in Washington state, has a mother-in-law who is 92, and who has dementia. She recently needed nursing home care, and qualified for Medicaid. Norm Johnson, also a state representative in … [Read more...]

Do You Need a Representative Payee for Social Security if You Have a Financial Power of Attorney?

Q1. My long-time friend, Ellie, is a widow who lives alone and never had children. Without family members to help, and dealing with her own dementia-related challenges, she’s finding it more and more difficult to manage her … [Read more...]

Are Filial Responsibility Laws Preempted by the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act?

In October 2010, Doris Pike was admitted to Corry Manor, a nursing home in Pennsylvania. At that time, her husband, Levere, signed an agreement with the facility, promising to use his wife's assets to pay for nursing home care … [Read more...]

Should Dad Give Up His Guns?

Q. My father loves three things most in life: his antique cars, his dogs, and his guns. The shooting range has been like a second home to him since mom died. It's the place he gathers with buddies to socialize and let off … [Read more...]

Those Late-Night Golden Girls Reruns Could Be Bad for Your Health

Joan is tired all the time. It could be because she's a night owl who reads books and doesn't like putting them down, or because she watches reruns of the Golden Girls and Frasier late at night. Joan's daughter began noticing … [Read more...]

They Never Visit, and It’s Killing Me!

Q. I live an hour away from both my daughters and their families, but they never visit me. I am aware that they are busy with soccer games and other activities, but I wish they could make the time to come see me once in a … [Read more...]

Dozens of Dementia Treatments Have Failed. Will This One Work?

Peter Wooding (77) is among the 5 million Americans who are facing Alzheimer’s disease, one of the most devastating diagnoses today. Happily married for more than 50 years, Peter and his wife Joanne are not going to sit back and … [Read more...]

Critter Corner: I Am My Mother’s Financial Caregiver. Now What?

Dear Bebe,When my mother did her estate planning several years ago, I was told I would be the trustee for her trust and the agent under her Financial Power of Attorney, should there come a time when she can no longer handle … [Read more...]

Can a Marriage Survive Caregiving for an In-Law?

Q. When my husband, Paul, first met my parents, they didn't hit it off. He can be stubborn sometimes, and mom is difficult, and she never thought that he was good enough for me. After Thanksgiving dinner, when we announced we were … [Read more...]

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