Don’t Wait Until You’re Sick to Create an Estate Plan
In the wake of the pandemic, rising inflation, mass shooting tragedies, and other events, more people recognize that they need to plan for the future. Yet while financial planning has been at the top of many Americans’ minds, a vast majority of people have stalled in...
When Should I Include a Living Trust and a Pour Over Will in My Estate Plan?
In creating an estate plan, you are proactively taking steps to ensure that your assets will be distributed according to your wishes in the wake of your death. One tool available to you in estate planning is known as a trust. There are numerous kinds of trusts. If you...
What Does Having Power of Attorney With Dual Agents Mean?
A power of attorney is among one of the most important incapacity planning documents you can have. It designates someone you trust with taking care of your affairs if you become unable to do so. In a power of attorney, you give one or more trusted people of your...
Some States Testing Out Medicaid Coverage for Healthy Food
Under a federal pilot program, a number of states are using Medicaid funds to cover healthy food costs for Medicaid recipients. Ultimately, the trial program seeks to determine whether nutrition support can help prevent and manage certain chronic illnesses related to...
When Does Someone Need Financial Guardianship?
When individuals cannot manage their finances, courts can appoint guardians. Financial guardianship is for those who need help handling money. Depending on the jurisdiction, financial guardianship may also be called guardianship of the estate or conservatorship. In...
Study: Certain Social Risks May Cause Early Death in Seniors
Using survey data from more than 8,000 adults aged 65 and older, researchers have identified eight social factors that may lead to early death in older adults. As part of the study, researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of California, San...
Medicaid’s Home Care Waivers Can Help You Avoid a Nursing Home, But the Wait May Be Long
Medicaid long-term care benefits traditionally pay mainly for nursing home care, but the federal government can grant “waivers” to states allowing them to expand Medicaid to include home and community-based services. The downside is that receiving care in a nursing...
Bill Advocates for Seniors Who Seek At-Home Medicaid Care
Seniors who need assistance with everyday activities such as dressing, bathing, and eating are eligible for Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS). Unfortunately, hundreds of thousands of people who qualify for these services – but wish to receive them in...
Developing Financial Skills in Kids With Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. As a spectrum disorder, ASD impacts individuals differently and to varying degrees. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,...
Affordable Housing Options for Low-Income Older Adults
Safe housing that meets older adults’ needs is essential to healthy aging in communities. Many seniors with low, fixed incomes struggle to balance housing expenses with the costs of health care, transportation, and groceries. Finding inexpensive, safe, and accessible...
Are Wills Public Record?
Wills contain important information about who receives money, possessions, and property upon a person’s death. Who can view this information, and is it a public record? Once your will goes through probate, it becomes a public record. The probate court must maintain...
How Intermediate Care Facilities Can Serve Older Adults
Many older adults can no longer safely live on their own. However, they may not need the highly specialized care of nursing homes. Intermediate care facilities present one option for older adults who cannot live independently but require daily assistance. As a...
What Is Respite Care? Can It Help With Caregiver Burnout?
It is easy to burn out when you are responsible for providing full-time care to an aging or disabled loved one. In some cases, caregiver burnout can result in resentment toward the individual they care for, despite their love for them. The fact is, we all need a break...
Aging Care: 6 Tips for Caring for Elderly Parents
Many adult children wonder what their aging parents may need and how can they can help provide it for them. You may constantly worry about your parents or other older loved ones, especially if you live far away from them. You can, however, take some simple steps to...
States Due to Ensure Medicaid HCBS Participants Basic Rights
As of March 2023, states are on the hook to ensure that home- and community-based housing services for its participants are meeting the federal government’s minimum standards. This includes protecting certain basic civil and constitutional rights of the individuals...