Coping with the “Transfer Trauma” of Moving a Loved One

Rachel, a caregiver for her mother who is in the early to mid-stages of dementia, is on the emotional roller coaster of moving her mom to an assisted living facility. It’s taking quite a toll on her and her mother, because … [Read more...]

Will My Mother Face Financial Ruin Paying for a Nursing Home? 

Q. My mother has Parkinson’s, and it is progressively getting more difficult for her to do things on her own. She has fallen several times and is having trouble swallowing. We have an aide who comes to help her, but this level of … [Read more...]

The Best Holiday Gifts for Nursing Home Residents 

Dear Hayek,  This year is my mother-in-law's first Christmas in a nursing home. What are some thoughtful gift ideas to brighten her holidays, and what are some things we should keep in mind when shopping for her? Thanks so much … [Read more...]

Can You Reside with a Loved One in a Long-Term Care Facility when Your Health Situations Are Different?

Q. My parents just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They are one of those happy couples who spend every waking moment together and are still as much in love as the day they met.  My mother has memory issues that are … [Read more...]

Jimmy Carter Enters Hospice Care — What That Really Means!

Former US President Jimmy Carter, 98, is both the oldest living and longest-lived US president. Recently, after a series of short hospital stays, he announced that he will spend his remaining time at home with his family and … [Read more...]

How to Put a Stop to Illegal Nursing Home Debt Collection Tactics

Q. Happy New Year! My mother has dementia, and we are looking into nursing home options. I had lunch with a friend today, and she told me a horror story that involved debt collectors. My friend was surprised and incredibly upset … [Read more...]

Assisted Living Is Failing to Meet the Needs of Seniors in the US

The senior population in the United States has quadrupled since 1900 and is expected to continue growing significantly, with 46 percent of the baby boomer generation now age 65 and up. According to the Administration for Community … [Read more...]

Critter Corner: Am I Financially Liable If I Sign a Nursing Home Agreement for Someone Else?

Dear Oakley, When a loved one enters a nursing home, who is the person who signs the legal documents? Would it be the individual themselves, the spouse, or the children? Does signing the papers make the person who signed … [Read more...]

Is Nursing Home Eviction Ever Legal?

Q. My Aunt Betsy, who has dementia, was in a nursing home. She sometimes has issues with aggression and had a bad episode recently. She was admitted to a local hospital and when she was discharged, her children tried to get her … [Read more...]

Critter Corner: What Do You Do if You Are Threatened with Eviction from a Nursing Home?

Dear Hayek, I heard about a court case involving a woman with dementia who was evicted from a nursing home. I worry this could happen with my sister, as she has dementia and can become angry and aggressive. What does someone do … [Read more...]

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