What Are Veteran’s Death Benefits?
Although death benefits are available to veterans, as well as their families and veterans who did not engage in combat, less than half of those who are eligible for death benefits use them, according to the American Association of Retired People. Available veteran’s death benefits may include burial in a national cemetery, compensation for expenses, or […]
New Estate Planning Trend: "Ethical Wills"
More and more Americans are viewing their legacy not only in terms of valuables but also in terms of the values they can pass on. To ensure these values are communicated to their children and succeeding generations, many are now writing so-called ethical wills designed to complement conventional wills that bequeath material goods. In these […]
How Your Will Can Protect Your Children With Disabilities
August signifies National Make-a-Will Month. For the one in five families who care for children with special needs, estate planning is crucial. Parents of a child with a disability face numerous challenges and concerns. One 2022 study found that getting sick stands among these parents’ biggest worries of what will happen to their children if they get […]
Home Health Services Underutilized by Seniors, Study Shows
Health Affairs estimates that 4 million older adults can only leave their homes with assistance, making accessing care challenging. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 1.3 million Americans receive care in nursing homes. According to A Place For Mom, more than 810,000 reside in assisted living. Home health care presents an alternative to nursing homes […]
Medicare Fraud Prevention Week: Avoiding Health Care Scams
The week of June 5 marks Medicare Fraud Prevention Week. Seniors and their caregivers should be aware of the risks posed by Medicare scams and how to avoid falling victim to this type of fraud. Each year, Medicare loses tens of billions of dollars to abuse and errors. Older adults who receive Medicare may […]
Federal Law Puts Focus on Preventing Elder Abuse
This is a federal law designed to address the growing problem of elder abuse. The law supports efforts to better understand, prevent, and combat financial and physical elder abuse. The prevalence of elder abuse is hard to calculate because it is underreported, but according to the National Council on Aging, approximately 1 in 10 Americans […]
Is “Aging in Place” Right for Me?
Most older adults want to remain in their homes and communities as they age rather than move into assisted living facilities or nursing homes. For those who wish to maintain their independence and continue living at home as they grow older, taking certain steps to protect their physical, mental, and financial welfare is essential. What […]
2023 AARP Report Recommends Supports for Family Caregivers
Many older Americans choose to have their family members care for them as they age. Yet, despite the comfort a familiar face may provide, there is a significant cost for the loved ones who sacrifice their time, and often their upward economic mobility, to ensure they can secure proper care for their senior parent. […]
Depressive Symptoms in Alzheimer’s Disease Family Caregivers
A new study reveals that 60 percent of family members taking care of loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease exhibited symptoms of depression that worsened over time. Researchers tracked symptoms of depression in family caregivers from when their loved ones were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease until five years later. A third of the caregivers – […]
Feds Announce New Strategy to Support Family Caregivers
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has recently started to focus on finding ways to support family caregivers by assisting them with resources to maintain their health, well-being, and financial security while they act as caregivers. As part of this, it has announced the implementation of a 2022 National Strategy to […]