Medicare has published new rules spelling out the changes, and an education campaign aimed at healthcare providers began in January. But many healthcare providers haven't grasped it, either. As you may know, Medicare has recently undergone a big change affecting long-term care and the availability of skilled nursing or therapy.…
“Young people may be eager to marry for love, but older couples are more practical and worry about paying the bills,” says Pepper Schwartz, professor of sociology at the University of Washington. These days, more and more Americans are meeting new loves or (finally) their true loves later in life.…
A spouse who inherits an IRA has a choice. The surviving spouse can move the account into an inherited IRA to keep the tax shelter. Or she can choose to roll the account into her own IRA. There are some unique rules that go into effect when an IRA is…
Reverse mortgages, which allow homeowners 62 and older to borrow money against the value of their homes that need not be paid back until they move out or die, have long posed pitfalls for older borrowers. Although a reverse mortgage has some advantages, such as offering a means of cash…
Adult day care centers provide care and companionship in a group setting to seniors who need supervision during the day, allowing their caregivers to go to work or take a much-needed break. The balancing act of caring for an elderly loved one can be difficult, expensive and exhausting. You want…
Time, it seems, has healed past wounds enough to leave us remembering Grandpa Oscar with a smile. Very belatedly the violin has served its purpose. We can hold on to the memories and let go of the object. Family heirlooms seem to have special powers over the family. Memories and…
“This time it’s not about the beginning of life or how babies are made. It’s about the end of life — yours — and the many issues and decisions that will confront you and your children.” Back when the kids were kids, it seemed like the “birds and the bees”…
Alzheimer’s patients live for years with diminished mental skills, which makes it crucial that they make decisions early on about how their care should proceed. Planning for one’s estate and for one’s late-in-life plans requires more than a bit of wherewithal. This is not only an empirical fact but also…
Much is undoubtedly delivered with great love and compassion. But, sadly, it is also provided by family members who have no caregiving skills. Deciding on medical care later in life or setting it up for a loved one is a difficult process that should be thoroughly evaluated. While there are many…
Stop saying everyone knows what you want. Everybody probably doesn’t know. Or in their grief, they may not be able to make the decisions you would have preferred. If you don’t leave written instructions, emotions or unresolved issues can get in the way. The amount of frustration a family goes…