Q. Last summer, you wrote about a veteran named Larry Cook who was a victim of financial exploitation. He was scammed out of millions of dollars in Virginia before he died. Mr. Cook was very careful with his money and would never have allowed himself to be exploited so badly had he been in his […]
Important Client Update About Medicaid Redeterminations
Enacted soon after the beginning of the pandemic, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act included a requirement that Medicaid programs in every state, in order to receive enhanced federal funding, keep people on Medicaid who enrolled on or after March 18, 2020, regardless of changes in their circumstances, through the end of the month in […]
Two New Virginia Resources for Loved Ones with Dementia
Dear Angel, My father was just diagnosed with dementia. He will be moving in with my family and me in our Northern Virginia home. What are some resources that are available in the area and/or state to help us as caregivers, and to help my father with his new diagnosis. Thanks for your help, Rhys […]
New Virginia GrandDriver Resource Available Just in Time for the Holidays
Dear Hayek, My dad is in the early stages of dementia and I’m concerned about him driving. He’s gotten lost several times because he forgets where he is going. Is there a resource that can help me talk to him and offer suggestions for alternatives to him driving places, especially since he hopes to visit […]
How Do Directed Trusts Work?
Q. I recently read about what is called a directed trust, where an individual has power to direct the trustee on some aspect of the trust, such as investment management, administration, and distribution decisions, powers usually reserved to the trustee. By using this strategy, I understand that control over the assets can remain with a […]
Maryland Repealed Filial Responsibility Laws. What’s Going on in Virginia?
—- Q. My mother has had dementia for the past three years. As her condition is getting worse, we’re having trouble caring for her at home. I heard recently that if she goes into a nursing home and she can’t pay, then the nursing home can come after us (her children) for the money. Is […]
Virginia, Maryland, and DC Now Allow Visitors in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities
Q. Last month, we had a scare when the nursing home where my mother, Marcia (85), who has dementia, resides called and said that she stopped eating and seems depressed and withdrawn. Although she doesn’t quite know who we are, my mother used to light up when we visited and brought the grandchildren. The nurse […]
Virginia Allocates $246 million to Help Long-term Care Facilities After COVID-19 Pandemic
At a retirement community in Springfield, the last scheduled event that Lea (88) attended was a Valentine’s Day dance in February. Since then, there have been no more potluck dinners, card games, special outings, or other social activities scheduled at Lea’s complex. And even as Virginia enters phase 3, it’s unclear to her when things […]
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 […]
Alexandria, VA becomes Fifth Dementia Friendly Community in Virginia
Every day, Nico Bins goes to his favorite newsstand to buy a newspaper. The owner greets him with a smile as he scrambles for change to pay. They make conversation about the escalating cost of newspapers, and then Nico goes about his day and the shopkeeper hers. From a distance, the transaction seems unremarkable. But, […]
Where Not to Die This Year
Q. I own a home in Bethesda, MD, but was told I should sell it and move to another state. My 96-year old best friend Sheila insists that “it is expensive to die in Maryland” and I’m beginning to think she is right. Sheila lives in DC, and from what I gather, it is expensive […]
The Cost of Long-Term Care is On the Rise
Stanley and June Blum have been married for more than 75 years and are approaching the second century of life. Stanley is 97 and June is 96. Stanley is a retired shoe-industry executive who paints and writes poetry, while June is a psychologist who still works part-time. They own a home in the city and […]
Should new Virginia residents Update their Out-of-State Estate Planning Documents?
Dear Ernie and Janette, I recently moved to Northern Virginia from Florida to be near my children and grandchildren. Although I really miss the warmer weather, I adore having family close by. I went to an estate planning attorney when I was in Florida and got all my documents done. Do I need to update […]
Taxes in the DMV Area For Retirees
Dear Bebe, My husband and I live in our family home in Northern Virginia, and are both recently retired. What state exemptions and deductions are available for retirees? Could you also tell me about Maryland and DC, since we have family and friends in both places. Thanks for your help! Virginia Seenyor —- Dear Virginia, […]
Medicaid CCC Plus Rolls Out in Northern Virginia on December 1, 2017
Q. My mom, who you recently did asset protection for and got qualified for Medicaid, recently received a letter in the mail from the Virginia Department of Medical Services that welcomed her to Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC Plus), Virginia Medicaid’s new, required managed care program. The letter mentions that her mandatory enrollment in the CCC Plus […]
The CCC Program When You’re Already in a Nursing Home
Dear Angel, My mother received a letter in the mail about the mandatory Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC Plus) Medicaid Managed Care Program. However, she is in a nursing home. Can she remain living at her current nursing facility, and what if anything will change? Al Reddy-Thayer Dear Al, Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC Plus) […]
Playgrounds for an Aging Population are Popping Up in Fairfax and Worldwide
Megan called her parents the other day to check-in and see how they are doing. She was surprised when her dad told her that her mom was at the playground. How could that be? Her only close-by grandchildren were at camp that day! Her dad explained that she goes to the senior playground once or twice a week […]
ABLEnow is Open for Enrollment in Virginia
Millions of individuals with disabilities and their families depend on a wide variety of public benefits for income, health care, food, and housing assistance. Many of these benefits require meeting a means or resource test that limits the eligibility of individuals who report more than $2,000 in cash savings, retirement funds, and other items of […]
Top 16 Articles of 2016
From the presidential candidates’ views on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, to a new president being elected, we covered a lot of ground in 2016. It was a year that included the passing of the Special Needs Trust Fairness Act to help special needs individuals, overtime pay for caregivers being instated and subsequently shut down […]
New Virginia Regulations Limit Caregiver Pay
Stephen Grammer suffers from cerebral palsy, a physical disability that makes it impossible for the 36-year-old to walk, feed himself, or go to the bathroom on his own. Currently, he’s able to live alone in an apartment because he has caregivers with him 16 hours a day. However, Grammer worries that his independence is in […]