Elder Law Q&A: What Is Elder Abuse?
Ten percent of adults 65 and older experience elder abuse each year, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Elder abuse happens when a caregiver or another trusted individual causes physical, mental, or financial harm to an older adult by an act or...
What to Consider When Enrolling in Medicare Part D For 2024
If you are one of the 65 million people receiving Medicare, you may change your coverage during the annual open enrollment period. From October 15, 2023, to December 7, 2023, you can update your 2024 health and prescription drug plans. Changes you make take effect on...
Most US Workers Say They Will File for Social Security Early
To secure the maximum amount in monthly Social Security retirement benefits, Americans must wait until full retirement age to start receiving their payouts. Results from a 2023 survey show that most of today’s workers know about this stipulation – and yet the vast...
What Are Veterans 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 veterans...
What Will Your 2024 Social Security Benefits Look Like?
In 2023, recipients of Social Security benefits saw the biggest increase in decades in their monthly checks. Although their payouts will indeed rise again in 2024, the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will be more modest – just 3.2 percent, versus the nearly 9 percent...
What Married Couples Should Know About Medicaid Eligibility and Spousal Responsibility
As married couples progress through their retirement years, it is vital to become acquainted with the basics of Medicaid in the context of long-term care. Specifically, all married couples should have a working knowledge of the Medicaid laws preventing spousal...
Is an Independent Living Facility Right for Me?
Housing options and the associated costs are among the top priorities for many seniors. Today, the housing market is unpredictable, while many seniors currently living independently may also have concerns about continuing their lifestyles. Moving to an independent...
Medicaid & Long-Term Care: How Does Medicaid Treat Income?
Nursing home residents on Medicaid generally must pay all their income, minus certain deductions, to the nursing home. These deductions include the following: a monthly personal needs allowance (this amount varies by state, currently ranging anywhere from $30 to more...
How Much Money Can You Have and Still Qualify for Medicaid?
In order to be eligible for Medicaid benefits a nursing home resident may have no more than $2,000 in "countable" assets (the figure may be somewhat higher in some states). Note that Medicaid is a state-run program, so the rules are somewhat different in each state,...
What Is Medicaid?
Medicaid (called "KanCare" in Kansas, "MO HealthNet" in Missouri, "Medi-Cal" in California, "MassHealth" in Massachusetts, and "TennCare" in Tennessee....to name a few) is a joint federal-state program that provides health insurance coverage to low-income children,...
Medicaid’s Money Follows the Person Program: Helping Seniors to Receive Care at Home
Congress established the Medicaid Money Follows the Person (MFP) Program to provide states with federal funding to help seniors who are receiving care in institutions but want to live at home. However, it is not a permanent program and is due to expire in September...
Feds Ease Enrollment Process for Medicare Savings Programs
Many Medicare recipients struggle to make ends meet. Special savings programs administered by each state can help cover certain Medicare costs, such as premiums and deductibles. The criteria one must meet to qualify for this assistance, known as Medicare Savings...
Can Alzheimer’s Disease Be Prevented?
While new knowledge becomes available each year about promising potential treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, recent research is also focusing on the prevention of the disease or mitigation of its symptoms. Newly developing treatment techniques and technology may...
TSA Hotline for Air Travelers With Disabilities or Medical Conditions
Concerned about negotiating the airport security checkpoint with a frail elderly or disabled traveler? Now there is a dedicated hotline that travelers with disabilities or medical conditions and their families can call with questions or concerns about the security...
What Are the Different Types of Adult Day Care?
Adult day care, also known as adult day services, includes programs that assist seniors in completing activities of daily living, such as bathing, going to the bathroom, and getting dressed. Adult day services also help older adults remain social as they age, an...