Author Archives: Site Administrator
Alzheimer’s Disease Medicare, Medicaid, and Out of Pocket Costs
The Alzheimer’s Association has published its 2020 report entitled Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures (alz.org). The findings give pause when contemplating the future of many Americans who will be living with crippling dementia. Health care and long-term care costs for individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) are staggering as dementia is one… Read More »
Telehealth Replaces Many In-Person Medical Appointments
Through the use of videoconferencing over wireless devices and remote health tech monitoring, telehealth can connect patients to vital health care services. According to the American Hospital Association (AHA), fully 76 percent of US hospitals are using some form of telehealth for their patient groups. During this COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government has freed… Read More »
Elder Abuse Continues as a Billion-dollar Problem
Aging baby boomers are a giant target for scammers. A report issued last year from a federal agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau highlighted the growth in banks and brokerage firms that reported suspicious activity in elderly clients’ accounts. The monthly filing of suspicious activity reports tied to elder financial exploitation increased four times… Read More »
How Does Planning for a Special Needs Child Work?
Funding a Special Needs Trust is just the start of the planning process for families with a family member who has special needs. Strategically planning how to fund the trust, so the parents and child’s needs are met, is as important as the creation of the SNT, says the article “Funding Strategies for Special… Read More »
What Is a Testamentary Trust and Do You Need One?
A couple doing some retirement planning has an updated will and a medical power of attorney in place, prepared with the help of an estate planning attorney. They own some rental property, a small business and life insurance, but their estate is not large enough for them to worry about the federal estate tax…. Read More »
Steps to Take When a Loved One Dies
This year, more families than usual are finding themselves grappling with the challenge of managing the affairs of a loved one who has died. Handling these tasks while mourning is hard, and often families do not have time to prepare, says the article “How to manage a loved one’s finances after they die” from… Read More »
How Can I Add Charitable Giving to My Estate Planning?
One way many people decide to give to charity, is to donate when they pass away. Adding charitable giving into an estate plan is great way to support a favorite cause. When researching this approach, you can easily become overwhelmed by all of the tax laws and pitfalls that can make including charitable gifts… Read More »
How Do I Start My Estate Plan?
The decision to start an estate plan is critical for all families, but it can also be a challenge. In many cases, the greatest impediment families face initially is discussing death, especially the deaths of family members. Forbes’ recent article entitled “Estate Planning 101: Tackling Your Estate Plan” suggests several life events that will… Read More »
Does Medicare Cover COVID-19-related Medical Expenses?
Knowing the way in which Medicare is offering coverage for COVID-19 can help seniors protect their health and their finances at the same time. Motley Fool’s recent article entitled “How Will Medicare Cover COVID-19? Your Top Questions Answered” answered some common questions seniors have about the COVID-19 pandemic. Will Medicare cover COVID-19 testing? The… Read More »
What Can I Do to Plan for Incapacity?
Smart advance planning can help preserve family assets, provide for your own well-being and eliminate the stress and publicity of a guardianship hearing, which might be needed if you do nothing. A guardianship or conservatorship for an elderly individual is a legal relationship created when a judge appoints a person to care for an… Read More »