We often hear from older friends and family – or perhaps from yourself – “I had a terrible sleep last night.” Sleep patterns tend to change, and that is perfectly normal as we grow older. Research shows that older adults may require less sleep than in younger years as they typically experience decreased physical activity. […]
Back in 2007, a Maltese pup named “Trouble” was left a trust fund of $12 million by her owner, hotel heiress Leona Helmsley. Pet inheritances have been dealt a dubious reputation ever since. The Value of an Animal Trust for Your Pet For those who care about the well-being of their animals or livestock, animal […]
While probate may sound intimidating, it is a typical legal procedure formalizing how assets pass to heirs or beneficiaries. Whether or not you require probate depends on the type of property and how you own it, and the state laws in which you live. While probate can be a complex process for vast estates, it […]
While is is extremely common for elderly Americans to use a multitude of prescription medications at once, the more medications a person takes, the higher the risk of dangerous drug-drug interactions. There is also an increased possibility of inappropriate prescribing, adverse drug reactions, hospitalization, and even death. Patients who have Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or other […]
According to the American Psychological Society, elder abuse is the infliction of physical, emotional/psychological, sexual or financial harm on an older adult. Additionally, elder abuse can manifest as intentional or unintentional neglect of an older adult by the caregiver. Elder abuse has a variety of causes. It is important that family members and caregivers of […]
Powers-of-attorney documents will convey on other trusted people the authority to act on your behalf. But when it comes to actually using those documents at the time of a health-care crisis, clear and powerful documents are just the beginning. The decision-points can (and must) be put down on paper in advance, but when it comes […]
When people marry for the second time, losing assets to pay for their new spouse’s serious illness is probably the last thing they want to think about when they say “I do.” Current costs for long-term care facilities can run between $70,000 – $150,000 annually. Studies show that 70% of Americans will need that kind […]
With today’s medicine and health care advancements, children with disabilities can live more productive lives than ever before. Many scientists regard the term special needs as a euphemism for disability. Yet, the difference between the two terms is primarily one of acceptance and preference as both terms describe the four major types of disability: physical, […]
Financial difficulties are a reality for many older Americans. One article addressed some of the seniors’ biggest financial challenges and what they can do to fight back. What follows is a summary of the article. Historically Low-Interest Rates For almost a decade, the Federal Reserve has kept the federal funds rate at a record low. […]
Studies have found that over 64% of Americans don’t have an estate plan. Many Americans over the age of 65 believe they lack the knowledge necessary to adequately plan for retirement and are not knowledgeable about basic retirement tools, like 401ks. If you don’t have a proper plan in place, or if your plan is […]
