Jane and Ron are both veterans in their 70’s who live at home, and unfortunately, both are experiencing serious health issues. In addition to their health problems, Jane and Ron are struggling financially and contemplating bankruptcy. To complicate things even further, both of their children live more than six hours away. Jane and Ron are […]
Does the VA Prioritize Mental Health Care?
Supporting and appreciating our nation’s Veterans is vital. This month, in addition to being Military Appreciation Month, is also Mental Health Awareness Month, and today is Military Spouse Appreciation Day (their biggest supporters of all)! These observances make this an ideal time to recognize our Veterans and look at what is being done to address […]
Is There a Check-in Service Specifically for Veterans?
Dear Kiwi and Mango, Recently, Mr. Farr wrote an article about a check-in service for seniors to combat loneliness and keep those who are aging in place safe. I was wondering if there are any similar programs specifically for Veterans. Thanks for your help! Buddy Chequer — Dear Buddy, You are correct. Mr. Farr recently […]
Special Client Alert: Recent Ruling Affects Veteran Clients and Their Families
Today we are issuing this Special Client Alert based on a recent Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) Decision (the “Decision”) about irrevocable trusts and qualifying for Veterans Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefits. If you are a Level 3 client of our firm and a wartime veteran, please read and pay careful attention to this entire […]
Which Veteran’s Benefits are Expanding and Increasing in 2021?
Chris, a 75-year-old Vietnam veteran, is planning on moving to Northern Virginia to reside with his son and his family. He is eager to remain at his son’s home for as long as possible, but is concerned he won’t be able to manage without help. Chris, and his son who is a more recent 9-11 […]
VA Caregiver Support Program Expansion Begins: What it Means for Veterans and Caregivers
Q. I am a caregiver for my father, a U.S. Navy veteran. He and I recently celebrated Veteran’s Day and my understanding is that it is National Family Caregiver’s Month all through November. In light of these two important observances, I was hoping you could update me on the VA Caregiver Support Program expansion, which […]
Mission Accomplished or Mission Impossible: Is the MISSION Act Really Benefitting Veterans?
Q. As a veteran, my father used to have to wait weeks to see a VA doctor, and that doctor was more than 35 minutes away. I heard about the MISSION Act, where he will have access to community care and can find a doctor who is closer to his home, much faster than before. […]
Are VA Nursing Homes Free for Veterans?
Q. My father is a Vietnam Veteran who will almost certainly need nursing home care in the future. Will the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) nursing home system take care of him for free? Are VA nursing homes as good as private ones? Are there many VA nursing homes in the DC Metro area? And […]
Veteran’s Benefits for Spouses
Dear Hayek, Welcome to the Critter Corner team! I’m hoping you can help answer my question about veteran’s benefits. My wife was a veteran before she passed away last year. I miss her dearly and am just getting around to figuring everything out. I am wondering if you can tell me what veteran’s benefits […]
Veterans Benefits for Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Q. I read that Veterans who experienced brain trauma in the course of their service are at a 60% higher risk for developing dementia, while those who have experienced PTSD are twice as likely. My father is a Vietnam Veteran who suffers from PTSD. His family also has a history of dementia. With his risk […]
Yikes! Our Top 10 Scariest Articles of 2018
Believe it or not, in Elder Law, Estate Planning, and Special Needs Planning, there are some news stories that sound more like the scary plots of horror movies than real life. The topics can be so horrifying that suddenly, you need to turn on all the lights just to read the news stories and do […]
Changes to Veterans Pension Rules Are Looming — Plan Now!
Q. I’ve been an avid reader of your newsletter for many years. A couple of years ago, you published an article indicating that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was proposing significant changes to needs-based benefit programs, such as the Veteran’s Aid and Attendance pension. You mentioned that the new rules were going to include […]
Can Your Spouse Get Paid for Being Your Caregiver?
Joseph quit his full-time job to provide full-time care for his wife, Stephanie, who is suffering from early-onset dementia. He bathes and dresses her, prepares her meals, takes her blood pressure, gives her prescribed medications twice a day, and takes her to all of her medical appointments. Joseph had to quit his job to fulfill […]
Programs Affecting Veterans and Progress this Year
There are currently more than 25 million veterans who served our country during wartime and may be eligible for some form of veteran’s benefits. Many of these veterans and their caregivers, who need assistance, don’t realize that they may be eligible for certain benefits that will help them. In this article, we will look at […]
Military Families Feeling Financially Stretched by Elder Care
Captain David Steere’s father was a Class of 1931 Naval Academy Graduate. At the end of his life, he was living in assisted care and having trouble making ends meet. David is now retired from the Navy himself, and is concerned about his own ability to afford long-term care, should the time come when he […]
The Death of Long-Term Care Insurance?
Maureen’s husband is retiring within the next few years, and her family is now planning in advance for long-term care, in case the need should arise in the future. Recently, in doing some research on long-term care insurance, Maureen read that John Hancock is leaving the long-term care market early next year. She couldn’t believe […]
Veterans May Have a Higher Risk of Getting Alzheimer’s
Currently, 1 in 9 Americans over the age of 65 (44 million people worldwide) live with Alzheimer’s disease. These numbers are staggering! Even more startling, is research cited in the Los Angeles Times that reveals that veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are 60% more likely to develop Alzheimer’s or a late form of […]
Veteran Caregivers and Spouses: Benefit Clarification
Q. My 76-year old father, Larry, served during the Vietnam War, and suffers from Parkinson’s Disease and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). My mother, Anne, is his caregiver. They live on Social Security checks and his pension, and I help them out whenever I can. In my opinion, there have to be more benefits that […]
What Veterans Aid and Attendance Will and Won’t Cover
Dear Commander Bun Bun, My grandfather is a veteran who may be eligible for Veterans Aid and Attendance. What does it cover and what is not covered by it? Thanks for your help! Aidan Atendans —- Dear Aidan, The Aid and Attendance benefit helps veterans to offset the high cost of medical care and access […]
Does Medicare Pay for Hearing Aids?
Sid watches the baseball game with the television turned really high. His wife has been noticing that it is getting louder and louder. In fact, she can hear it outside the house in her garden and the neighbor said he can even hear it. She also noticed that she has to repeat things she says […]