The world is aging so fast that most countries are not prepared to support their swelling numbers of elderly people, according to a global study issued by the United Nations and an elder rights group. The report ranks the social and economic well-being of elders in 91 countries, with Sweden coming out on top and Afghanistan at the bottom. It reflects what advocates for the old have been warning, with increasing urgency, for years: Nations are simply not working quickly enough to cope with a population graying faster than ever before. By the year 2050, for the first time in…
Elderly Americans who live with people under age 18 have lower life evaluations than those who do not. They also experience worse emotional outcomes, including less happiness and enjoyment, and more stress, worry, and anger. In part, these negative outcomes come from selection into living with a child, especially selection on poor health, which is associated with worse outcomes irrespective of living conditions. Yet even with controls, the elderly who live with children do worse. This is in sharp contrast to younger adults who live with children, likely their own, whose life evaluation is no different in the presence of…
Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are among the most significant issues facing the elderly and their loved ones. Because people with dementia often lose the ability to communicate over time, they are especially vulnerable and need special care. To help improve care and the public’s understanding of dementia care standards, the Long Term Care Community Coalition (LTCCC) has developed a new brochure designed especially for families and individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. This resource, Get the Facts about Antipsychotic Drugs and Dementia Care, developed with support from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, will…
Financial scams abound around the holidays, and it's long been known that the elderly are more vulnerable. Now, scientists are learning why: New research suggests age-related changes in the brain make it harder to detect suspicious body language and other warning signs that people may be untrustworthy. The prevalence of the crime has already reached epidemic proportions, according to Sandy Markwood, CEO of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, and will continue to grow as the Baby Boomers age. Financial exploitation of the elderly — from telemarketing scams to identity theft, fake check scams, and home repair fraud…
Depression is a common problem in seniors, but it is rarely diagnosed. Even though those over the age of 65 account for 16 to 25 percent of all suicides in the country, there is very little treatment or services geared towards seniors. How can you make sure your aging parent isn’t in danger? Some Common Causes of Senior Depression Adapting to a move from home to an apartment or retirement facility. Chronic pain. Feelings of isolation or loneliness as children move away and their spouse and close friends die. Loss of independence (problems getting around, caring…
Because elder law attorneys work with a variety of agencies that provide assistance or expert advice for the elderly, they understand the complexities of preparing an advance directive or living will that can be respected and carried out according to your final wishes. If you try to prepare a living will or advance medical directive on your own, you could neglect to include important information that your descendants should have in order to respect your wishes. Someone may have to hire a litigation attorney to sort things out if not everyone agrees on how to proceed. You don’t want your…
Americans over 60 lost at least $2.9 billion in 2010 to financial exploitation, a MetLife study. This 12% rise over two years is leading the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to begin looking into the types of scams affecting older consumers, states the LA Times. Federal regulators launched an investigation into the financial abuse of the elderly, citing a new report that advisors, planners, family members and others were ripping off seniors more than ever. The rise in abusive tactics led the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to begin looking into the types of scams affecting older Americans and coming up with…
In upholding the President Obama's health reform law, the Affordable Care Act, the Supreme Court ensured the preservation and continued roll-out of improvements and protections for older adults. These improvements include the extension of Medicaid’s spousal impoverishment protections to those seeking long-term care in the community, financial incentives for states to keep long-term care recipients out of institutions, the gradual closing of Medicare Part D’s infamous “doughnut hole,” expanded access to preventive services for Medicare beneficiaries, and the Elder Justice Act. The Court did, however, scale back the Medicaid portion of the law, which could mean that fewer near-elderly will…
As an elder law attorney firm, when we meet with clients during our initial consultation, it is necessary for us to obtain information regarding income and assets. Unfortunately, most clients do not have a clear understanding of their financial situation. Consequently, people with an unclear or incomplete understanding of their finances often fail to budget for expenses properly, and may miss important payments which can affect overall credit scores. The elderly, in particular, may fall prey to various financial “scams.” Therefore, family members need to provide assistance to their relatives to avoid these situations. Family members are often reluctant to…
A federally funded National Institute of Justice study found that about ten percent of Americans over sixty had been targeted for some form of financial exploitation. Also, a Met-Life study last year estimated the annual loss from this financial abuse was nearly $3 billion. Scammers target everyone, but seniors often make the ideal target because some have disabilities, may be less knowledgeable about the Internet or tech issues, and often live more isolated lives. To top it off, after a lifetime of building and working, many seniors can be counted on to have some assets and savings used to fund…
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