On June 26, 2015 United States Supreme Court issued an opinion of great importance in the area of estate planning for same sex couples. In Obergefell v. Hodges the Court addressed two questions. First, does the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution require all states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples? Second, are […]
Summer often brings to mind vacations and taking time off from everyday stress. Caregivers of loved ones living with dementia-related diseases know that caregiving can be a full-time job in addition to the responsibilities associated with employment and raising families. The Alzheimer’s Association really says it best on their page about respite care: “Caregiving is […]
If you are a Medicare beneficiary receiving skilled care for a chronic condition, you no longer have to show improvement in order to have the care covered, but your provider (such as a doctor, home care agency, or nursing home) may not know this. Even though a recent lawsuit settlement mandated a nationwide educational campaign […]
Many retirees look forward to traveling in their retirement, and more and more are actually retiring overseas, in part as a way to stretch savings. But what happens to retirees’ federal benefits while they are out of the country? The short answer is that although Social Security benefits are available to retirees in other countries, […]
How can you make sure your funeral and burial wishes will be carried out after you die? It is important to let your family know your desires and to put them in writing. Just don’t do it in your will. To help your loved ones follow your wishes after you are gone, you can write […]
Retiring to another country can be a very attractive option. Lower cost of living and health care expenses along with exotic locales and temperate climates persuade many seniors to retire outside of the United States. If you want to ensure a smooth transition, however, there are many issues to consider and steps to take before […]
Funerals rank among the most expensive purchases many consumers will ever make. A traditional funeral costs about $6,000, although “extras” like flowers, obituary notices, acknowledgment cards and limousines can bring the total to well over $10,000. Moreover, people often “overspend” on a funeral or burial because they think of it as a reflection of their […]
Combating dehydration is essential at all times of the year, but it is often at the forefront of caregivers’ minds during the hot and humid summer months. Detecting dehydration in an elderly loved one can be difficult, since symptoms can range in severity and may be mis-categorized as symptoms of chronic disease. Signs include dizziness, […]
Here in the great state of Connecticut, there have been several new communities opening and marketed to the older adult population. Communities designated as “Independent Living” (IL) and “Assisted Living” (AL) can be very successful in combating the negative stigma associated with getting older and going into “the home.” They are often very welcoming, well […]
Back in the year 2000, a series of profiles of American centenarians debuted on National Public Radio (NPR) called “One Hundred Years of Stories.” Producer Neenah Ellis later translated those profiles into a book called If I Live to be 100: Lessons from the Centenarians. Ellis recognized that there are more 100-year-olds alive now than […]