In today’s economy, it seems that everything old is new again … albeit with a bit of a twist. Years ago, it was common for older couples – and frequently widows – to rent out rooms for extra income. Taking in boarders was a viable way to supplement income. Well, the idea is back, with a bit of a twist. As Baby Boomers face the cold, hard facts of retirement, they are increasingly changing the definition of the term to include at least some form of work. While you may not be ready to hang out a shingle on the…
The study examines the prevalence and impact of elder financial abuse in America today. It demonstrates how these crimes continue to decimate incomes, impact the health and well-being of its victims, and fracture families. Yet it still is underreported, under-recognized, and under-prosecuted. Elder financial abuse continues to the “Crime of the 21st Century,” according to a recently published MetLife study on the financial abuse of the elderly, “The MetLife Study of Elder Financial Abuse: Crimes of Occasion, Desperation, and Predation Against America’s Elders.” The study shows that elder financial abuse falls into three types of crimes: occasion, desperation and predation….
The idea of Assisted Living is tremendously appealing – an older individual receiving necessary care and services in a home-like environment, while retaining choice and autonomy. Most Assisted Living facilities are licensed to care for residents only up to a particular need of care. A generic multi-level system might designate three levels: low, moderate and high. When a resident has low care needs, the resident may reside at any type of Assisted Living facility. When the resident's care needs reach the moderate level, the resident is allowed to reside only at a facility licensed for moderate or high care needs. …
Click for a few of the stories uncovered during The Miami Herald’s yearlong investigation into Florida’s assisted living facilities. Thousands of documents revealed a nearly hidden world of questionable deaths, abuse, and cases of neglect towards the elderly and mentally ill. Their project, “Neglected To Death,” chronicled years of caregiver malpractice, unsuitable living conditions, and exposed Florida’s state regulators’ failure to monitor and enforce the laws protecting some of society’s most vulnerable residents. The Miami Herald and WLRN uncovered 70 questionable deaths within the last decade alone. While Florida supposedly holds some of the strictest elder-abuse laws in the nation,…
In a recent USA Today article called “Most Baby Boomers Lack A Plan To Care For Parents” a majority of Baby Boomers say they are likely to become caregivers for their parents, but only half can name any medications their parents take, a new survey shows. The survey of 600 adults ages 45 to 65, conducted for the Home Instead Senior Care network, also found: •31% don't know how many medications their parents take. •34% don't know whether their parents have a safe deposit box or where the key is. •36% don't know where their parents' financial information is located….
Marriage is a tricky institution, enough so to feed a thriving business for therapists and prime-time sitcoms alike. Re-marriage can be even trickier, especially when it comes to your estate planning. If you are considering re-marriage, you may be well advised to also consider a prenuptial agreement. Though it may not seem the most romantic gesture, a prenuptial agreement is simply an honest disclosure of both parties’ assets and agreement as to their distribution should the union dissolve, or at the death of either spouse. Enter re-marriage without one at your own risk – or that of your estate. Without…
Most individuals avoid planning for his or her funeral. Consequently, they leave the decisions to their beloved ones. Sadly, because of your loved ones emotions, after your death, paying for your funeral may be unnecessarily expensive. Funeral and burial costs can easily exceed $10,000. Therefore, to avoid the guilt of your loved one's spending money on your funeral, you can plan your own funeral. However, it is very important investigate the options and never let your self be pressured into buying goods you do not require. Consequently, you must learn to be an informed consumer. Purchasing a pre-paid funeral, unfortunately,…
In a study in the journal Health Affairs, that expansion of home-based care can save states money over the long run. The paper looked at Medicaid data from 1995 to 2005. States incurred extra cost when they spent to create new social service programs to care for people at home, but that expense, over time, paid for itself because it was cheaper to care for people at home. Policymakers often cite the "woodwork effect" as a reason to worry about expanding home-based care. This is the argument that if states provided people what they want — home-based care — then…
In 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Olmstead v. L.C. said that the unnecessary institutionalization of people with disabilities is a form of discrimination. State Medicaid programs are required to provide alternatives so that the elderly and disabled can choose to get their care at home, instead of in state institutions or nursing homes. But the Supreme Court said there were limits. A doctor, representing the state, has to determine that the person is capable of living at home. The person has to want to get that care at home. And a state when considering its responsibility to move…
Your biggest concern, are they safe and making smart decisions before driving. Your parents have independence through driving, and it is problematic to remove this. However, they will have changes in their vision or hearing. Therefore, their safety is of the utmost importance. So here are some key driving tips. Make Sure They Regularly Have Their Vision and Hearing Checked In Maryland, seniors do not have to take regular driving tests to continue to have a driver’s license. Therefore, it’s important that regular hearing and eye checks are performed. If their hearing and/or vision deteriorates, this creates a slower response…
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