Elder Law & Estate Planning News
Senators Propose Boosting Seniors’ Social Security Benefits
In late March 2024, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act. The Act centers on changing the formula that the SSA uses to calculate Social Security benefits for older adults.
Could Medicaid Payback Rules Come to an End?
As of late 2023, the median monthly cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home in the U.S. was close to $9,000. The vast majority of people cannot afford to pay these prices out of pocket over the long term.
States With the Highest and Lowest Assisted Living Costs
Seniors seeking information on assisted living options may find recent data from the Seniorly Resource Center useful. Its new 2024 report sheds light on the costs of assisted living – from the most to the least expensive – across the U.S.
Avoiding Property Tax Foreclosures for Older Adults
If you are a homeowner who is falling behind on your real estate taxes, you may end up facing foreclosure on your property. Because your property taxes hinge on the value of your property, you may find your taxes rising beyond what you can afford.
Medicaid Spend Down: Pay for More Than Just Medical Bills
To qualify for Medicaid, you must have limited income and assets (in most states, no more than $2,000 in your name). If you have more than that, you may find yourself having to “spend down” your extra assets to meet the $2,000 limit.
Which States Have the Best Protections Against Elder Abuse?
Each year, 10 percent of older adults experience some form of abuse. In addition to physical harm, elder abuse can also encompass financial exploitation, neglect, and emotional abuse. WalletHub has evaluated elder abuse protections in the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Retirees: Deduct Your Long-Term Care Insurance Premium
Even if you have a long-term care insurance policy, you may likely be hoping that you won’t ever have reason to use it. Regardless of what the future holds, there’s one silver lining of which you may not be aware. That is, premiums on many long-term care insurance policies are in fact tax-deductible.
Getting Help When Providing Care at Home for Aging Parents
As they grow older, your parents may prefer to continue living in their home rather than moving to a long-term care facility. They are not alone in this; more than three-quarters of adults over the age of 50 say they would prefer to age in place.
2024 Standard Protections for Spouses of Medicaid Applicants
Each fall, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) renews the federal guidelines that seek to protect individuals whose spouses are applying for or receiving Medicaid long-term care benefits.
Selling Your Life Insurance Policy to Help Cover Expenses
The National Council on Aging reports that more than 16.5 million adults 65 and older experience economic insecurity. Rising housing and health care bills can also burden seniors on fixed, limited incomes.
What Are the Different Types of Adult Day Care?
Caregiving is hard work and it is easy for caregivers to get burned out. Adult day care centers provide care and companionship in a group setting to seniors who need supervision during the day, allowing caregivers to go to work or take a much-needed break.
Getting Social Security Checks While Living Overseas
Many retirees look forward to traveling in their retirement. More and more are actually retiring overseas, in part as a way to stretch savings. But what happens to retirees’ federal benefits while they are out of the country?
Is an Independent Living Facility Right for Me?
An independent living facility is a housing arrangement that caters to older people, usually aged 55 and older. Some people may refer to these facilities as 55-and-over communities, active adult communities, or retirement communities.
Notarizing Documents for Seniors With a Dementia Diagnosis
An Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis can be a challenging journey for the person and family alike. When the diagnosis occurs, a ticking clock begins on the timeline for getting proper and sound notarizations done for crucial legal documents.
Can Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Prevent Dementia?
For older adults experiencing hearing difficulties, over-the-counter hearing aids could improve quality of life, preserve social connectedness, and prevent cognitive decline.