Medicaid and Medicare Open Enrollment: Remember Medicare is Not Medicaid
Do you get mixed up between Medicaid and Medicare? During Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period, it is important to remember that Medicare is not Medicaid. Let us highlight four differences to keep in mind. 1. Qualifications. Medicare covers adults aged 65 and older and...
Why Estate Planning Awareness Week Matters More than Ever During COVID
Estate Planning Awareness Week, which falls on October 19th to 25th this year, can be a time to review financial wellness and, if you have not done so already, take action to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your assets. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, now more...
Plan for the Financial Strain from Substance Abuse Disease
Did you know that, each September, tens of thousands of prevention, treatment, and recovery programs and facilities around the country celebrate National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month? They speak about the gains made by those in recovery and share their...
Can An Alzheimer’s Patient Sign Legal Documents?
September 21st is World Alzheimer’s day, sponsored by Alzheimer’s Disease International, to raise awareness and challenge the stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Currently, an estimated five-million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, yet its...
Can Mom Get All of Dad’s Income? Yes! How to do It.
THE BACKGROUND STORY A few times every year, I visit with an adult child and their mother at my office. They explain that "Dad" is in a nursing home, and isn't able to come home. They realize that the safest place for him is in a nursing home. But Mom can't afford the...
How Can Having a Strong Power of Attorney Help You?
Did you know that a durable power of attorney (DPOA) may be one of the most valuable estate planning moves you can make? Imagine for a moment that the power to manage your legal and financial affairs is a magic wand only you can wield. The DPOA is a tool designating...
Six Questions to Ask Your Aging Parents
When we were younger, our parents tried to help us plan for the future to protect our best interests. Now, the time may have come, if you have an aging parent, to assist them in making plans for the future as well. Where do you start? Even though there may be a lot of...
Tips for Seniors in Preparation for Hurricane Season
As storm season approaches, the safety of our senior loved ones is a high priority. Have you considered the importance of the actions we take now to prepare for evacuating in the time of COVID-19? Let us review our hurricane preparedness checklist to help you...
Three Reasons Not to Put Off Estate Planning
Do you have an estate plan yet? If not, why not? Be honest. Have you been procrastinating? If so, you are not alone. Many people put off making an estate plan. They may procrastinate because they think they do not have enough assets to make it worthwhile. Some people...
4 Mistakes Families Can Make When Advocating for Senior Loved Ones
How do you respond to a health care emergency involving a senior loved one? The COVID-19 crisis has forced millions of families to confront this important question. The pandemic has hit elder adults disproportionately harder than the rest of society. Too often...