September “Senior Sense” Explaining Dementia to Children
“Mom, how come Grandma doesn’t remember my name? I keep repeating it, but she doesn’t recognize me.” For young children,...
“Mom, how come Grandma doesn’t remember my name? I keep repeating it, but she doesn’t recognize me.” For young children,...
Many of us have read the titillating and tragic story of Sumner Redstone, the former executive chairman of Viacom, and the...
In an effort to reduce identity theft and fraud, new Medicare cards were sent out beginning in April to more...
By Jody Gastfriend, LICSW, VP Senior Care | Recently published on Forbes.com When Rick could not remember where he kept...
It may seem strange to become a caregiver to the person who once changed your own diapers. But caring for...
By Jody Gastfriend, LICSW, VP Senior Care | Recently published on Forbes.com As Bette Davis famously quipped, “Old age ain’t no place for sissies.” My...
Several months ago my sister made a surprising suggestion: Let’s sit down with Mom and figure out how this whole...
By Jody Gastfriend, LICSW, VP Senior Care | Recently published on Yale University Press I often refer to my 89-year-old...
If you don’t yet have a last will and testament, you might be wondering if you really need to hire...
When it comes to your last will and testament, you’ve probably got questions — lots of questions — about this...
By Jody Gastfriend, LICSW, VP Senior Care Clara always had a contentious relationship with her fiercely-independent mother, and things didn’t...
According to a recent Gallup poll, 56% of Americans do not have a will. Dying without a will means that state laws will...
Financial planners, family-law attorneys, and medical professionals have long urged people to write advance directives—legal statements that stipulate what sort of...
By Jody Gastfriend, LICSW, VP Senior Care Several months ago my sister made a surprising suggestion: Let’s sit down with...
For many seniors, making the switch to assisted living can come with a host of challenges — not the least...
You might think trust funds are reserved for the super-wealthy, but in reality a trust can be a smart estate-planning...
Determining if you need a trust or a will can get confusing, because on the surface both appear to do...
Who would you pick to make medical decisions for you if you were no longer able to make them on...
By Liz O’Donnell I heard about parenting all the time: “Your life completely changes when you become a parent,” my...
A living will is a straightforward, easy-to-complete document that allows you to specify what should happen in the event that you’re...
After a loved one dies, it can be hard to think of anything beyond your immediate sadness and grief. But...
Don’t have life insurance? You’re not alone. Over 100 million Americans don’t have a policy, according to Life Happens, a...
Many aging adults need help with daily personal tasks—things like bathing, dressing, eating, using the toilet, or taking medications. Medicare doesn’t...
Taking care of an aging parent is full of challenges. So on first thought, opening a joint bank account with...
Choosing to become a loved one’s guardian or conservator is a serious matter that requires court approval. This role requires...
It is a truth universally acknowledged that probate is a major pain. It requires that an executor or other representative appear in...
Naming an executor is one of the most important elements of a last will and testament. After all, an executor...
Revocable living trusts are one of the most common forms of trusts that people put in place to protect their...
The two most common types of trusts are revocable living trusts and irrevocable living trusts. But those are hardly your...
The word irrevocable evokes permanent, set-in-stone arrangements. And that’s exactly what it means in describing this type of trust. Once...
You already know an estate plan can make it easier to transfer your financial assets and physical property after death....
You’re asked to name a beneficiary many times over throughout your lifetime—each time you start a new job that offers...
A health care proxy, also known as a durable power of attorney for health care or a medical power of attorney, is...
The multitude of documents required to create an end-of-life plan can feel overwhelming. For health care, there are medical directives...
After a person dies, it can be difficult to know what is to be done with the property and possessions...
When it comes to buying insurance, these days many of us turn to the Internet first. Nearly three-quarters of consumers in the...
Picture it: 10, 20, 30 years ago. Your past, responsible self purchased life insurance that would keep your family covered...
Your parents took care of you, and at some point, there’s a very good chance you’ll do the same for...
By Jody Gastfriend, LICSW, VP Senior Care | Recently published on Yale University Press “I’m sorry for keeping my phone...
It was close to midnight. I was worried, tired and cold. Why are emergency rooms always so cold? A few...