Professional geriatric care managers tend to a senior’s unique health care situation needs rather than being responsive to a particular age. The truth is aging is a complex, highly individualized process, and a geriatric care manager (GCM) may be appropriate at age 65 or 105 and any age in between. A geriatric care manager is…

Recent events have caused many of us to consider our mortality and how we can plan to ensure our loved ones are taken care of, especially if the unexpected happens. Life insurance can be an affordable way to provide for our children, a spouse, a sibling, aging parents, and other loved ones. Life insurance can…

It is easy to be overcome with depression at any phase of life. Life is full of surprises and twists, and not all of them have a positive effect on our mental health. However, once a senior is in the grasp of depression, it is often difficult to find release. More than 6.5 million Americans…

I plan to leave bank accounts to my children when I’m gone. Can I make my children joint owners? That idea sounds better than it truly is. Yes, you would avoid court proceedings when you pass. But you’d put yourself at risk, at a time when you might need your money yourself. Your accounts would…

It is nothing short of a national tragedy; 45 percent of aging Americans are not financially able to meet their most basic needs. Many of these older adults must routinely shuffle their available resources in an attempt to keep quality health care, a roof over their heads, lighting, heating and air conditioning, cash resources for…

An inheritance is often the source of costly Medicaid-related mistakes which should be avoided. When a person is drawing Medicaid benefits and inherits money or property, that inheritance jeopardizes the benefits. The inheritance must be handled carefully to minimize expensive penalties. What “careful” means, though, can be misunderstood without the necessary expertise. The Right Steps…

The importance of maintaining family presence and connection in a senior’s life cannot be overstated. Family creates a consistent social network and connection that directly impacts the senior’s overall quality of life. Prioritizing family relationships provides continuity as a senior experiences change in their social network. Friends may change, become ill and unavailable, or even…

Wills and trusts have specific yet differentiating benefits for the purpose of estate planning. Each state has specific laws and regulations governing these legal documents. You can have both a will and a trust; however, the information in each should compliment the other. As a standalone, it is not accurate to say one is better…

“Can’t I just grab a will off the internet, do a transfer-on-death deed for my land, put my kids on my bank account, and be done with my estate plan?” This is a common question we frequently hear. It’s just not a good idea. For the plan to work as you would want it to,…

While aging in place is very popular among the baby boomer generation, about one-third of those retirees might choose to live elsewhere. The family remains the most significant factor when deciding where retirees live, followed by the general livability of an area and desirable weather conditions. The decision about where to live should be a high priority…