Dear Baxter, My grandfather insists on taking my brother and me camping every year. My mother has Lyme Disease, so she is very aware of how it spreads, and protects us with natural repellants. My grandfather throws caution to the wind, and won’t use sprays and wears shorts. Are tick bites especially dangerous for seniors, […]
Some Amazing Apps Moms (and Everyone Else) Need in Their Lives
Q. My mother has had the same outdated phone for five years now. It is small and slow, and she squints when she tries to read emails, articles, or books on it. She has been learning a lot about technology and things she can do on the phone from her 8-year-old grandson, and has […]
This Virginia Law Makes It A MUST to Do Medicaid Planning for Married Couples
Louise and Mark were married 50 years when Mark fell and broke his hip. Following hip surgery, Mark went to a nursing home for routine therapy. A previous stroke a few years before this had significantly weakened his body; thus, he was now unable to rally and achieve mobility again. For the past several years, […]
When They Ask if You Can Hear Them, Say “No!”
Q. I think my mother was the victim of a scam. She had some suspect charges on her credit card last month for more than $500 and was quite upset when the bank called and told her that her bank card was compromised, as well. I asked her if she gave her credit card number […]
Massive Amount of Romance Scams Target Older Victims
Q. My brother is a disabled older adult living in a group home. He has no assets that he can access himself but does have significant assets in a special needs trust with me as the trustee. Recently, he has been asking me for money to send to his new “girlfriend” who he met online. […]
One Typo Could Cost You Your Computer
Q. My sister-in-law Janet is always on Facebook. She loves seeing what her children and grandchildren are up to, catching up with old friends, and playing Scrabble. She is a quick typist, and one day, in her haste, she recalls accidently typing “www.Facebookc.om.” Before she could correct it, she was redirected to a series of […]
Home Modifications for Fall Prevention
Dear Angel, We just found out that my father will be moving in with us. He is in his 70’s, has Parkinson’s, arthritis, and is in a wheelchair a lot of the time. We don’t have much money to renovate, but we want to make sure our home is safe and comfortable for him. Also, […]
A New White House Report on Technology for Seniors
Technology is playing a larger role in the lives of seniors, enabling them to be engaged, connected, mentally active, and physically safe. In fact, boomers are a part of one of the fastest growing demographics in terms of usage of social media and other technologies. It’s not surprising that the marketplace for technology for aging […]
Beware of Woodchucks
Dear Angel, The other day a man from a “tree company” came to my door, and pressured me to cut down branches that he said would damage my house in the next big storm. He asked me for payment upfront. When my wife came home, she said it looked as if nothing had been done, […]
State of the Union: Status of Senior Programs
Q. My husband and I watched the State of the Union address on Tuesday night, until we fell asleep. We heard a little bit about Social Security and Medicare, but couldn’t get the complete gist of what President Obama was saying. If you watched, what do you think are some of the key takeaways for seniors, about important programs such as […]
Don’t Become a Victim of Phishing
Dear Commander Bun Bun, I was baking cookies with my mother the other day, when she took a break to check her email. She told me that one of her emails from the bank seemed really important and she thought she should answer it right away. I observed her providing all kinds of personal information for what seemed […]
Seniors Should Be Thankful For This. . .
This week, we celebrate Thanksgiving, making it an ideal time to give thanks and reflect on the positive things that have happened over the past year. Below are twelve of our blog articles from 2015 that make us and many of our clients thankful (chronologically listed from newest to oldest): Amazing new technology helps seniors […]
What Happens When Seniors Can No Longer Care for Their Pets?
Dear Angel, My miniature poodle, Moose, and my cat, Scooter, have been my constant companions since my husband died six years ago. They are the only warm blooded creatures that really depend on me. My dog and I usually take a two hour walk every day and I spend hours at night brushing and petting […]
Is Tai Chi for Me?
Dear Ernie and Jannette, My neighbor, Harry, is 80 years old and has gotten really into Tai Chi. He says it helps him stay fit, maintain balance, and avoid falls. I am 77, have arthritis and high blood pressure, and am not sure if Tai Chi is for me. Before I sign up, do you […]
MIT AgeLab’s Amazing Innovations for Seniors
Picture: Inside the MIT AgeLab, from telematicswire.net In 1900, life expectancy was just under 50. Today, people are living well into their 80’s, 90’s, and beyond. How can we make the most of the “bonus 30 years” we now have? According to the MIT AgeLab in Boston, MA, “longevity requires new thinking.” The MIT AgeLab was […]
Parent of a Graduating Senior? Avoid this “Nightmare” Scenario
Your graduating senior may always be your baby, but in the eyes of the law, he or she is now an adult. You need to understand that you can no longer make important medical or financial decisions for your child without their permission. This can be problematic when your adult child still is relying on […]