In February 2021, Evan Farr co-led Positive Aging Sourcebook’s “Meet the Elder Law Attorneys – Monthly Discussion Series.” Click below to view a recording of the dynamic discussion.
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 […]
Getting Loved Ones the End-of-life Care They Deserve
Q. My mother is in her 80’s and has been in the hospital several times this year with pneumonia and urinary tract infections and has been suffering with Parkinson’s for decades. There have been times when I’ve visited her and a doctor hadn’t been in in a couple of days, other times when she is […]
2020 Key Elder Law Dollar Amounts
Every year we release the key dollar amounts that are frequently used in elder law, including Medicaid figures, Medicare premiums, Social Security Disability, and Supplemental Security Income. Since most of these figures have been released, we are happy to provide details on what has changed for the coming year. Be sure to check back here […]
The Risks of Dementia Denial
Pete’s father, Frank, has always been a positive, happy person. He lives for the moment, doesn’t take many things too seriously, and when it comes to something potentially stressful, he subscribes to the notion that “ignorance is bliss.” Everyone who knows Frank loves his positive attitude and his optimistic outlook on life. Sounds like a […]
How to Make a Smart Phone Easier to Read for a Senior
Dear Bebe, I recently bought my mother a smart phone for her birthday. I figured it would be a great way for her to communicate with the grandchildren, and to have in case of an emergency. There are also some great apps to challenge her brain, to track medication intake, and to keep better […]
When Your Adult Child Distances Themselves
Carla, age 38, is a helpful and caring adult daughter. She lives five miles from her parents and assists her mother with caregiving for her father, who suffers from early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. She scaled back her hours at work and made arrangements for aftercare for her children so she could stay with her father longer. […]
Questions to Ask at a Family Meeting
Dear Ernie and Jannette, My wife and I have a family meeting planned where we will be discussing senior housing and end-of–life options for her mother, who is in the initial stage of Alzheimer’s, so now is a good time to figure out the best way to proceed. I know with all of the different […]
What to Do When a Loved One is Terminally Ill
When Leanne’s father was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), his family knew the prognosis was not good. The average survival time for FTD is typically 3-5 years, and Leanne’s father has already had the disease for two years. Leanne and her brother really want to spend quality time with their father, but they’ve come to […]
Can Dementia Symptoms Come and Go?
Q. My husband, my kids, and I visited my mother this year for the holidays. Mom was diagnosed with dementia last year, so I took some of Magic the bunny’s advice from Critter Corner on how best to celebrate the holiday with her. We gave her space during the festivities, and for the most part, […]
Having a Dementia-Friendly Holiday
Dear Magic, You look so cute in your Christmas tree headband that I thought I would ask you this question. My mom is coming for Christmas and will be at my home for several days. I haven’t seen her for a while, and my brother, who is her caregiver, told me that she is a […]
Should You Talk About Death During the Holidays?
I saw the following quote on Facebook today, and it really resonated with me. It made me think about my own mortality and about my loved ones, who I will be seeing during the holidays: “None of us are getting out of here alive, so please stop treating yourself like an afterthought. Eat the delicious […]
Including Grandchildren in Caregiving
Dear Magic, My mother moved close by after my father passed away. She suffers from diabetes and has hip problems. My 13-year-old daughter, Bella, and my 9 year old, Rex, want to visit to help with grandmother’s caregiving and spend meaningful time with her. What are some ways that young Bella and Rex can help […]
Are Faith Leaders Trained to Talk to About End-of-Life Topics?
My wife and I are over 65, and are both ready to discuss the topic of death and end-of-life planning. We spoke about it amongst ourselves, but need some guidance. We are religious, and would like our religious leader’s advice in this area before we make any decisions, but are concerned that he may not […]
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 […]
U.S. Life Expectancy Has Declined for the First Time Since 1993
Last Wednesday, The Economist’s “Business of Longevity” conference took place, attracting world-renowned experts in aging. One of the main themes of the conference was the need to change the way we think about longevity, as we are living longer, more productive lives. Coincidentally, on the same day the conference began, a study was released that […]
A Parent has Alzheimer’s and a Gun. What Do You Do?
Ever since Gregg Schnepp retired, his favorite activity has been gathering with his friends at the shooting range. According to his wife, Joanne, who is a strong believer in the right to bear arms, “shooting is about his only interest in life.” However, as a 70-year old with both mental and physical decline, it is becoming unsafe for Gregg to carry a gun. Joanne knows she has to talk to her […]
April 29 Marks the End of a Major Social Security Loophole
Q. I remember reading an article that you published last fall about The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, where you mentioned that the end of file-and-suspend would be happening in six months. I am concerned about the impending deadline. Can you explain exactly when it is and what it means for those who would still […]