What can you give an aging parent who has everything this Holiday Season? Try the “gift of paying attention”. At no cost to you, this simple and invaluable gift can bring much peace and joy to entire families. As your parents age it is inevitable that we’ll see changes in their health, their ability to care for themselves, and their cognition. For those of who see our parents infrequently, the holidays are an excellent time to pay attention and look for some of the changes that I, as a Geriatric Care Manager, often see in the aging population. Here are some light-hearted, but practical perspectives to adopt that I often find myself “coaching” children of aging parents on:
AgingOptions
Signs to Look For in Your Elderly Loved Ones This Holiday Season
The holidays often means spending close time with relatives. It also makes for a good opportunity to monitor your aging loved ones for signs that they may be in need of assistance. This article on maryland.va.gov lists out several very good ones to watch for, such as forgetfulness, neglect, and falls, and what you can do … Read more
The Challenges of Family Caregiving – What Experts Say Needs to Be Done
One problem that you can do something about. It is a thankless task that falls mainly on loved ones and family who quickly can get overwhelmed with the process, while trying to address the needs of their aging loved one. But, as these authors find, there are common sense things that can make the journey … Read more
How much can I earn and not lose my social security disability benefits?
Will you lose your Social Security benefits if you work and earn money? That depends on how much money you earn. Special rules make it possible for people receiving Social Security disability benefits to work and still receive monthly payments. See their explanation on Social Security Online. We would love to here first hand examples. Do … Read more
Alternatives to AARP
This past Saturday on the AgingOptions Radio Show a listener by the name of Tricia called in to inquire as to whether there might be some good alernatives to the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons)… similar organizations that could offer the same benefits associated with AARP’s vast membership “clout” in procuring savings on things … Read more
Social Security's Benefits for Spouses
Social Security doesn’t just pay retirement benefits to retired workers; in some circumstances, it also provides benefits to a worker’s spouse or ex-spouse and to a deceased worker’s surviving spouse. Here are the ins and outs of spouse and survivor benefits. Spousal Benefits Spouses are entitled to benefits if the marriage lasted at least 10 … Read more
Medicare Beneficiaries: Make Sure Your Equipment Supplier Works With Medicare
In October, Medicare beneficiary David P. (not his real name), was shocked to see a charge of more than $1,000 on his credit card statement. The charge was for the complete cost of renting a machine he needed to help him recover from knee replacement surgery. The equipment is covered by Medicare, so Mr. P. … Read more
Why Do Individuals Retire When They Do…
… And What Does It Mean For Their Retirement Security? Prudential Financial sponsored research by the University of Missouri to identify the key factors that impact when individuals choose to retire. This research identified several factors that make individuals more likely to retire in any given year, including strong equity markets performance, the retirement status … Read more
Road Map to a Housing Rebound
Yes, as we all know… just as with politics, and Tip O’neil’s famous mantra, “All politics is local”… so, with real estate, “All real estate is local”. Having said that, this article in US News and World Report is instructive in that it lays out 5 general factors that we can, and should, pay attention … Read more
Put Caregiving Arrangements in Writing, Lawyers Advise
When one family member becomes a caregiver for another, it”s important to put in writing the terms of the arrangement, according to elder law attorneys interviewed by The Cincinnati Enquirer. AARP estimates that more than 20 million Americans currently care for ill parents, other relatives or friends. Problems can arise if the caregiving arrangement is … Read more