Archive for December 2017
Virtual Dementia Tour
Trying to mimic the feelings of a person with dementia, caregivers often go through a virtual tour, aiming to increase empathy for dementia patients. Some of their experiences include the following feelings and emotions. It was dim; my world was reduced to shadows but the worst part were the spikes inside my shoes. Then there…
Read MoreImportance of a will for Medicaid planning
For married couples, updating wills and beneficiary designations are important parts of Medicaid planning. Most of our clients have “I Love You” wills that leave everything to their spouse after their death. Likewise, their assets have their spouses as the Payable on Death Beneficiaries. This can be a huge issue if the spouse is receiving…
Read MoreHow often should I update my will?
“Do I need to update my will? My situation is very straightforward, and I don’t think anything has changed.” We are often asked this question, and everyone hopes that the answer is: “No—whatever you put in place 15 years ago is probably still fine.” Unfortunately, there are many reasons your will might need to be…
Read MoreCan my dad create a new will even if he has dementia?
We often hear from family members that assume it’s too late for their loved one to create and sign a new will because the person has dementia. Yes, at some point in the disease process, a person living with dementia will lose the capacity to sign legal documents. Having a diagnosis of dementia, however, does…
Read MoreLearning About Hospice
Hospice has been covered by Medicare since 1982. Health-care providers have to certify that a patient is terminally ill, with six months or less to live, which can be difficult to predict, according to both Diane Meier, director of the Center to Advance Palliative Care and professor of geriatrics and palliative medicine at Mount Sinai…
Read MoreDealing with Properties in Other States: How Preplanning Can Help You Avoid Multiple Probates
If you own property in different states (say you live in New York but winter in Florida or live in Georgia but have family property in Ohio), your estate could be complicated for those that survive you one day. Real estate is governed by the laws of the state in which it is located, not…
Read MoreHospice Care – When to Begin?
Many people who are near the end of life wait too long to enter hospice care, according to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. In hospice care, attempts to cure a disease are usually replaced with treatments solely for pain and suffering, delivered by a specialized team. It usually…
Read MoreCaregiving is Risky Business
Retirees have been hearing a steady drumbeat of warnings about the threat of high long-term health care expenses. Many articles about long-term care discuss strategies from the perspective of retirees who eventually might need care near the end of their lives. These articles encourage retirees to take responsible steps to pay and arrange for care,…
Read MoreAvoid Holiday Stress
The holiday season is often a stressful time for those with dementia and their caregivers. The celebrations, decorated spaces, visitors, and interruptions in routine can leave those with dementia feeling agitated, confused and overstimulated. The caregivers are often frustrated and anxious. The Alzheimer’s Association offers the following guidelines to minimize discomfort during this time of…
Read MoreMoving Your Parent To Your Home
Remodel, accommodate, share, prepare, budget – these are just the beginning concerns to prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for the move-in. Setting expectations about private versus shared areas of the home, determining who is in charge and what the financial expectations are will have to be immediately determined. Some initial objectives include providing the proper…
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