Dear Hayek, My husband doesn’t always make the best decisions about money. He has come close to being scammed in the recent past. Do you know of any training he (and I) could take to protect us from financial exploitation? Also, are there any tips you can provide? Thanks for your help! Munn Knee — […]
Benefit Programs for Eligible Retirees
Dear Hayek, My wife and I recently retired and are finding it hard to keep up with day-to-day living costs. Are there any benefits that we may be eligible for that can help? Thanks so much! Ben A. Fitz — Dear Ben, A retirement crisis is emerging in America, with most retirees falling far short […]
It’s International Fraud Awareness Week— Things to Know!
Dear Oakley, Senior fraud seems to be on the rise. I have had several friends who have been affected by it, unfortunately. I understand that it is International Fraud Awareness Week. What are some common types of fraud I should know about so I don’t fall victim? Thanks for your help! Farah Aud — It’s […]
What Can You Learn from 3,000 Years of Collective Life Experience?
Emmy Cleaves, 86, is a yoga teacher who discovered Bikram Yoga after suffering a brain hemorrhage at age 35. Emmy continues to teach at a studio, inspiring students of all ages to heal their bodies and improve their lives with Bikram Yoga. According to Emmy, “I teach because I think it’s so important. It’s a […]
Spending Memorial Day with Senior Loved Ones
Dear Hayek, My dad, an Army veteran, comes from a long line of US military veterans from all branches. He is in the early stages of dementia, but Memorial Day has always been important to him. Since we’re all vaccinated, we can do more this year. What are some good ways to spend Memorial Day […]
Help for Depression in Seniors During Mental Health Awareness Month
Dear Angel, I have been home since the Coronavirus pandemic began and still haven’t ventured out. Recently, I’ve been feeling sad and withdrawn. Things that used to interest me don’t anymore and I can’t sleep at night. Is this a normal part of getting older? Does Medicare cover treatment of depression? Thanks for your help! […]
How to Reclaim Your Independence After a Health Crisis
Dear Oakley, In October, my mother (80) was hospitalized for a week as a result of a urinary tract infection, but she doesn’t seem to be recovering from her hospital visit. She came home from the hospital feeling a level of weakness and fatigue she had never experienced and it hasn’t subsided. No amount of […]
There is So Much That Seniors Need to Know About the New Coronavirus Relief Package
Q. You recently published an article about the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for businesses. You mentioned that there is a second stimulus check and some new benefits for seniors, but mostly elaborated on benefits for small businesses. Can you expand on some of the benefits of the second Coronavirus Relief Package for seniors? Thanks so […]
Grandparents Are Experiencing Better Emotional Well-Being Than Others During The Pandemic
Dear Magic, My grandmother lives alone in a rural part of Virginia. We are concerned about her emotional well-being during the coronavirus pandemic, but don’t want to visit in fear of bringing germs to her home. I hear that older people are managing the best out of everyone on the mental and emotional front. Have […]
Should Nursing Homes Reopen to Visitors?
Q. My mother, Betty, is in a nursing home in Richmond. Although she has advanced dementia, I could tell that she always enjoyed our family’s visits. Her face always brightened when she saw me, my wife, and her grandchildren. She would smile when we looked through old photo albums, listened to her favorite songs, or […]
How the CARES Act Helps Older Adults
Q. My husband owns a small business and recently the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) established by the CARES Act helped provide his business with funds to pay 10 weeks of payroll costs. This act pretty much saved his business. I also heard that through the CARES Act, nearly a billion dollars is going towards senior […]
When a Pandemic Makes You Feel Like an Inmate
Mark, 82, moved into assisted living a month ago, just before the coronavirus pandemic. He needed more help than could be provided in his home by his daughter. He also wanted his daughter to have the opportunity to go back to work full-time, as he knew she really wanted to do. The decision seemed like […]
Will Getting a REAL ID be a REAL problem for Seniors Who Can’t Make it to the DMV?
Q. My mother is 73, lives in Virginia and doesn’t have any immediate travel plans, but her driver’s license has expired. She is housebound for the most part due to physical ailments and doesn’t drive. I have been hearing a lot about the REAL ID and she and I are confused about it. What do […]
Important Laws that Help Seniors May Soon Be Expiring
Q. I recently moved to the DC area to be closer to my children and grandchildren. I figured since I was in DC, I would follow government and public policy a little closer, mostly focusing on issues that affect seniors. I began watching local and national news channels, but they aren’t focused on such things […]
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 […]
What the ACA Verdict Means for Seniors
Q. I recently read that a federal court ruled to strike down the Affordable Care Act? Sounds kind of scary if you ask me. How is this going to affect seniors and people with disabilities? A.You are correct. US District Court Judge Reed O’Connor rendered his decision to invalidate the entire Affordable Care Act. According […]
Is the Charitable Tax Deduction Gone for 2018?
Q. I give to charities every year during the holiday season. However, I’m concerned about the ramifications of doing so this year with the new tax law. Can I give as I usually do and take tax deductions, or is there something different I should know? Also, my husband, John, is 80 years old and […]
What Older Voters are Focusing on in the Midterm Elections
Q. I’ve been voting since I was able to do so, which is more decades ago than I’d like to mention. After all, voting is a responsibility! I know that seniors like me care about a broad range of issues, not just those commonly associated with aging. Can you run through some of the issues […]
Internet Scams Targeting the Elderly
Q. My Aunt Julie was recently the victim of tax-related fraud. She explained what happened and I knew right away that it was a scam targeting the elderly. Someone claiming to be from the IRS called her and told her that she owed back taxes and threatened that, unless funds were wired immediately, legal action […]
These are Responsible for 40% of All Injury Deaths
Q. Recently, we got a call from the emergency room that my husband’s grandmother fell outside of a store and fractured her wrist. It was a rainy night and she slipped on the ramp walking out of the store. Typically, when you hear about falls, you hear about instances where they occur on a rug that […]