Critter Corner: Often Overlooked Tax Breaks for Seniors

Dear Ribbit,I read recently that Trump’s Tax Plan may eliminate the ability for seniors to deduct their medical expenses. That would certainly be a horrendous result, as my husband and I depend on that deduction. For future … [Read more...]

Gifting and the 2018 Gift and Estate Tax Exclusion Numbers

Q. Our daughter got married a few months ago and she and her husband found the perfect starter home in Springfield. The owners accepted their offer and my daughter and her husband asked me for $20,000 to help with the down … [Read more...]

Watch Out for These Scams During Medicare Open Enrollment!

Joanna received a call last week from a man claiming to be from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Joanna was told that she was entitled to money back because of "changes” that were made by Medicare. The man on … [Read more...]

The Ugly Side of Hospice Care

Q. My mother is ready to transition to hospice care. She has very advanced dementia, severe arthritis, and is immobile. With all of the assistance that she needs, we can no longer care for her in my home, even with the help of … [Read more...]

Alzheimer’s Turns 100 – Bill Gates is on a Mission to End It Now!

100 years ago, German physician Dr. Alois Alzheimer first wrote about “a peculiar disease.” He described the case of a woman named "Auguste D," who was experiencing significant memory loss, severe paranoia, and other psychological … [Read more...]

Bill to Support 40 Million Caregivers Becomes Law

Q. My friend, Molly, is the primary caregiver for her mother, Anne. Anne suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure, among other things. After a hospital stay for an infected gall bladder, she came home and the responsibility … [Read more...]

Is Alzheimer’s a Spectrum Disease, Similar to Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Mary, a retired college professor, was unhappy when her ophthalmologist insisted that she stop driving. It happened when Mary informed her about her Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Mary’s vision hadn’t changed in 10 years, and she felt … [Read more...]

Planning Ahead for Grandchildren

Q. Two years ago, our daughter Meredith got married. Today, she called to tell us that she is expecting twins! My husband and I are overjoyed, as they will be our first grandchildren. We want to make sure we include them in our … [Read more...]

Simplifying the Medicare Process

Q. I am a few months away from my 65th birthday, and I am aware that it is time to begin thinking about enrolling in Medicare. I started researching Medicare online, and I realized that enrollment is much more confusing than I … [Read more...]

VSED — Please Stop Feeding Me!

Last weekend, I presented at the Positive Aging Fair, and my PR Director, Renee, staffed our expo booth. Renee told me and Jeannie about another booth at the expo that was particularly memorable, because the representative brought … [Read more...]

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