Moviegoers and members of the motion picture academy were captivated this year by Julianne Moore’s performance as a 50-year-old college professor diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in the film “Still Alice.” Based on the 2009 novel of the same name by neuroscientist Lisa Genova, the film has raised awareness of the realities faced by patients […]
Few people are fully comfortable thinking about getting older. Whether we are contemplating ourselves getting older or our loved ones, most would prefer not to think about the aging process and the various physical and cognitive deteriorations that tend to accompany that process. As life expectancy has increased over time, the portion of people who […]
A 79 year old woman named Kay was afflicted with some arthritis in her knees, but was generally in good health and enjoyed her daily walks and traveling. On a recent trip overseas last year, she missed a step and lost her footing. She could no longer stand; and with that misstep, Kay suffered multiple […]
When applying for Medicaid benefits to help pay for long-term care, the applicant must list the value of all of their assets that are “countable” under the eligibility rules of the program, as administered in this state by the Connecticut Department of Social Services (“DSS”). Some assets are fully exempt and we will describe those […]
As individuals get older, they often need more and more help with their personal and financial needs. It becomes harder to do a whole host of things ranging from paying bills and balancing a checkbook to keeping track of medications, transportation to medical appointments, and bathing. While that help may be delivered by a home […]
Over the years, many women decided that they didn’t want children. Their decision was made not necessarily because they were selfish; many were career-oriented and received fulfillment through their work. But as these women age they wonder who will care for them, especially when they watch their friends’ children help them through illness or life […]
U.S. Trust conducts an annual survey of high net worth individuals to prepare a comprehensive report it calls the “Insights on Wealth and Worth” (“Survey”). While there are many fascinating observations and conclusions that may be drawn from the 2014 Survey, we have highlighted a few below that have a direct bearing on our practice […]