A power of attorney is an important legal document that names a trusted person to act on your behalf. This is necessary for a caregiver when applying for financial assistance, or even paying bills and taxes. This AARP article outlines the importance of having these documents in place early.
It […]
AARP recently published an article on remote monitoring for older adults. Technology has expanded the possibilities for care of older adults, however, it is not without complications. Technical, as well as privacy concerns, can give families pause when implementing devices. This article dives into the possibilities of remote monitoring […]
David Wilson, Chair of the Leadership Council of Greater Idaho Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, wrote a letter to the editor in the Idaho Statesman regarding the burden that Alzheimer’s places on families in our state. After recently returning from the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement Advocacy Forum in Washington, DC, David […]
The Idaho Statesman ran a story today about one family’s experience with dementia. It is a must read. Unpaid family caregivers are a huge part of what makes old age work in any society; in ours they are much under-appreciated. Its description of aphasia seemed especially spot on.
The article can […]
Retirement accounts held in the name of the community spouse should be exempt and not a countable resource in a Medicaid application. A recent Medicaid application denial and subsequent fair hearing decision puts that long held Idaho rule in jeopardy. In that case, the applicant had used a portion of […]
Under Medicaid law, assets are either “countable” or “exempt.” Countable assets affect the individual’s immediate Medicaid eligibility and must be transferred, restructured, or spent down in order for the person to become eligible for Medicaid benefits. Exempt assets, in contrast, are not counted towards the individual’s Medicaid eligibility.
Remember this basic […]
An article in the New Yorker recently discussed studies indicating widespread recommendations by physicians of care that studies show to be of little or no use to the patient. In addition to the other ways in which we need to act to bring the cost of care under […]
The search for assisted living can be a difficult path to travel. The primary concern is that the choice of living situation offers as much comfort and enjoyment as possible, while also marking all the appropriate boxes, like […]
NPR’s Diane Rehm today hosted a show titled “Rating the Quality of America’s Nursing Homes.” It was a wonderful show, which highlighted many of the issues we talk about in our practice. Please take some time to listen:
ABC’s recent Nightline segment on Alzheimer’s did a great job of discussing what it is like caring for a parent with this disease. They discuss an experiment where children attempt to understand what it is like for the parent. This is a must watch for caregivers.