Elder Law & Estate Planning News

On January 2, 2025, President Biden signed into law the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act.

The Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law on January 6, 2025, by President Biden. The bill will boost monthly Social Security benefits for nearly 3 million people.

Winter can be an enjoyable time of the year, but it can bring challenges, especially for older adults. Here are some ways seniors can stay safe and warm during the winter months.

Medicare is a complex program with many benefits. Knowing about the options available to beneficiaries will help you understand and navigate the system. Let’s look at Medicare’s annual wellness visits.

Research shows that nearly 70% of seniors will require long-term care at some point in their later years. Although it does add another expense to one’s life, long-term care insurance can be helpful.

Each year, the feds issue updated guidelines outlining how much of a couple’s assets a healthy spouse can keep while their Medicaid spouse gets the long-term care support they need.

As the population ages, the number of people affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia continues to rise. For family caregivers, this role comes at a substantial cost.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the 2025 figures for Medicare. As in 2024, these health care costs are going up across the board.

The future of Medicare-reimbursed telehealth services will largely be shaped by ongoing legislative efforts. Congress has introduced several bills aimed at extending many of the temporary telehealth expansions or making them permanent.

The Older Americans Act seeks to promote the well-being, dignity, and independence of older Americans. By providing billions of dollars in funding for essential services, the OAA helps seniors live in their homes and communities for as long as possible.

You generally must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and Part B before you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. To join a Medicare Advantage plan, contact the plan and ask if it is accepting new member enrollments or if it has a waiting list. 

Medicare open enrollment is on the horizon. Start thinking about changes you may want to make to your coverage. Some significant changes have come along for Medicare, with more taking effect in the near future.

Hearing loss is common in older adults, but many still don’t wear hearing aids. In addition to helping people to hear better, hearing aids have been demonstrated to have a positive impact on physical and mental health.

Keeping track and making sense of government policies and presidential candidates’ promises can be daunting during any election year. This year is no exception.

A fundamental aspect of a representative democracy is the right to vote, shared by all eligible citizens, whether or not they have full cognitive abilities.