July “Senior Sense” Caregiving from a Distance: Learning to Make the Best of It
In the middle of the night, I hear my iPhone ring. With a groan I look over, half-expecting it to...
Money & planning
August “Senior Sense” – Are you your parent’s keeper?
To understand the nuances of caregiving and how to navigate this uncertain terrain, I had a chance to interview Jody...
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,...
What ‘Succession’ and Sumner Redstone can teach us about planning ahead for senior care
Many of us have read the titillating and tragic story of Sumner Redstone, the former executive chairman of Viacom, and the...
The Medicare card scam every senior should beware of
In an effort to reduce identity theft and fraud, new Medicare cards were sent out beginning in April to more...
December “Senior Sense”: The Hidden Costs of Alzheimer’s Disease
By Jody Gastfriend, LICSW, VP Senior Care | Recently published on Forbes.com When Rick could not remember where he kept...
Caring for an aging parent? Try these 8 tips to smooth the transition from child to caregiver
It may seem strange to become a caregiver to the person who once changed your own diapers. But caring for...
January “Senior Sense”: Want To Enjoy Old Age? This 90-Year-Old Has One Simple Trick, And Science Backs Her Up
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...
Having the inheritance talk with parents brings both sadness and relief
Several months ago my sister made a surprising suggestion: Let’s sit down with Mom and figure out how this whole...
February “Senior Sense”: We Are Not Our Parents’ Parents
By Jody Gastfriend, LICSW, VP Senior Care | Recently published on Yale University Press I often refer to my 89-year-old...
Should you write your own will or hire a lawyer?
If you don’t yet have a last will and testament, you might be wondering if you really need to hire...
March “Senior Sense”: How to Talk to Parents About Needing Care
By Jody Gastfriend, LICSW, VP Senior Care Clara always had a contentious relationship with her fiercely-independent mother, and things didn’t...
5 top online, low-cost will services for estate planning
According to a recent Gallup poll, 56% of Americans do not have a will. Dying without a will means that state laws will...
Why more people are using advance directives for people with dementia
Financial planners, family-law attorneys, and medical professionals have long urged people to write advance directives—legal statements that stipulate what sort of...
April “Senior Sense”: What To Expect When You’re Expecting An Inheritance
By Jody Gastfriend, LICSW, VP Senior Care Several months ago my sister made a surprising suggestion: Let’s sit down with...
What is a trust—and why they’re not just for the super wealthy
You might think trust funds are reserved for the super-wealthy, but in reality a trust can be a smart estate-planning...
Trust vs. will: Which is better for you?
Determining if you need a trust or a will can get confusing, because on the surface both appear to do...
May “Senior Sense”: 5 Unexpected Ways Life Changes when you Become a Caregiver to your Parent
By Liz O’Donnell I heard about parenting all the time: “Your life completely changes when you become a parent,” my...
How to make a living will
A living will is a straightforward, easy-to-complete document that allows you to specify what should happen in the event that you’re...
Checklist: Everything you need to do after someone dies
After a loved one dies, it can be hard to think of anything beyond your immediate sadness and grief. But...
Life insurance: What are the types + how to buy it
Don’t have life insurance? You’re not alone. Over 100 million Americans don’t have a policy, according to Life Happens, a...
How to spend down your assets to qualify for Medicaid
Many aging adults need help with daily personal tasks—things like bathing, dressing, eating, using the toilet, or taking medications. Medicare doesn’t...
When does your loved one need a guardian or conservator?
Choosing to become a loved one’s guardian or conservator is a serious matter that requires court approval. This role requires...
4 ways to avoid probate
It is a truth universally acknowledged that probate is a major pain. It requires that an executor or other representative appear in...
What is an executor and what do they do?
Naming an executor is one of the most important elements of a last will and testament. After all, an executor...
Should you set up a testamentary trust? What you need to know
The two most common types of trusts are revocable living trusts and irrevocable living trusts. But those are hardly your...
Should you consider an irrevocable trust?
The word irrevocable evokes permanent, set-in-stone arrangements. And that’s exactly what it means in describing this type of trust. Once...
Digital estate plans: Why you need it and how to create yours
You already know an estate plan can make it easier to transfer your financial assets and physical property after death....
Do you need a health care proxy if you’re married?
A health care proxy, also known as a durable power of attorney for health care or a medical power of attorney, is...
Best online end-of-life planning and document services
The multitude of documents required to create an end-of-life plan can feel overwhelming. For health care, there are medical directives...
The 6 steps of probating an estate
After a person dies, it can be difficult to know what is to be done with the property and possessions...
How to select the right insurance advisor
When it comes to buying insurance, these days many of us turn to the Internet first. Nearly three-quarters of consumers in the...
Financial caregiving: 10 essential tips
Your parents took care of you, and at some point, there’s a very good chance you’ll do the same for...
June “Senior Sense”: I Spent 30 Years Advising Families On Senior Care And I Still Wasn’t Ready To Care For My Mom
By Jody Gastfriend, LICSW, VP Senior Care | Recently published on Yale University Press “I’m sorry for keeping my phone...
How to be a strong advocate for your elderly parents
It was close to midnight. I was worried, tired and cold. Why are emergency rooms always so cold? A few...
August “Senior Sense”: How to be a Strong Advocate for Your Elder Parents
By Liz O’Donnell It was close to midnight. I was worried, tired and cold. Why are emergency rooms always so...
What is the lifetime cost of caring for a person with Alzheimer’s?
Dementia takes an enormous emotional toll on the people with the disease and their caregivers, but it can also be...
October “Senior Sense”: Self Care Tips for Alzheimer’s Caregivers on the Brink of Burnout
Caregiving for a family member with Alzheimer’s or dementia is a full-time commitment. Even if you’re not living with your loved one full time,...
November “Senior Sense”: 6 Simple Ways to Make a Home Safe for Seniors to Age In
By Marisa Cohen Enjoying post-retirement in the home you raised your children in — or in the comfy condo you...
December “Senior Sense”: The Top 5 Steps to Take for Long-Term Care Planning
By Harry Margolis Unfortunately, with longevity comes the increasing likelihood of needing care, whether due to cognitive decline, short-term injury...