Q. My grandmother is really excited about Christmas this year. In the spirit of the season, she is considering making a truly meaningful gift of $5,000 to the local animal shelter, and giving another $5,000 to her church. She also told me that she will be giving my husband and me $2,000 for a backyard […]
$10,000 a month! Why don’t they take it seriously?
Q. My parents are in their 70’s and I am a caregiver for them, while working part-time and raising a family. My father has had Parkinson’s for fifteen years and is no longer mobile. My mother is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. As much as I love them dearly, it is becoming a real […]
Landmark Supreme Court Marriage Case May Affect Planning Choices
Image from USNews.com Gay marriage is currently legal in 36 states, mostly because of the decision in the 2013 case of Windsor v. United States, in which the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Two years later, the issue is back in the Supreme Court. And, by the end of this […]
Alternative Ways to Stave Off Parkinson’s
Fred Ransdell, who has had Parkinson’s since 1996, is an avid runner. (Source: The Dallas Morning News) Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative movement disorder of the central nervous system, was discovered nearly 200 years ago. Since then, no single test exists that can definitively diagnose the disease, and doctors rely on the appearance of certain symptoms […]
The Healing Power of Music — “Alive Inside”
Music has power—especially for individuals with dementia. When used appropriately, it can help shift mood, manage stress, reduce agitation, stimulate positive interactions, and can even triumph where prescription medication falls short. Even in the late stages of dementia, the healing power of music has been known to spark compelling outcomes. How do we know this? […]
Alzheimer’s: Preserving Family Memories
Every year, Carol Magro would prepare a delicious Italian feast for the holidays. Five years ago, her daughter Barbara noticed that her mother was getting tired, confused, and didn’t remember the ingredients for some of the dishes that she had prepared for nearly 50 years. A few months later Carol was diagnosed with early stage […]
LGBTQ Marriage Ruling Brings New Planning Choices
LGBTQ married couples can now celebrate another important victory in their fight for equal rights. Yesterday, the Supreme Court ruled to let the appeals court rulings allowing same-sex marriage in five states stand, clearing the way for same-sex marriages in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin. Now, same-sex couples can marry in 24 states, along […]
Joan Rivers Death Reminds us to Have End-of-Life Conversation
Q. I am very close with my in-laws, who are both in their late 70’s, and all I want for them (and for everyone I care about) is to live a long happy life. Unfortunately, the inevitable happens to us all, and when it does happen, I really want my entire family to be prepared […]