According to AARP aging in place is a goal for 3 out of 4 Americans aged 50 or more. These seniors and near seniors are willing to employ alternative solutions to facilitate this. The alternatives include home sharing (32%), building an additional or accessory dwelling unit (31%) and locating into villages that provide services which enable aging in place (56%). These communities become a source of support and engagement for residents and give a sense
The month of May is officially designated National Older Americans Month. Next month we will spend time with this annual opportunity to celebrate America’s seniors, and raise awareness about the many challenges older adults face every day. Seniors have come a long way since National Older Americans Month was first established under President John F. Kennedy in 1963. At the time, about a third of senior adults lived in poverty and there were few programs
You may see it coming: Much as you want to and hard as you try, you just can’t take care of your ill spouse at home any more. At this emotionally difficult time, the last thing you need is the stress of not knowing where to find the money to pay for the steep costs of institutional care. Advance planning is a must. As soon as you can – ideally at least five years
If you own a home, a boat, or other property out of state, your heirs might need to go through another probate or court process to receive it. This is known as ancillary probate. The laws of the state where the property is located will determine how it’s divided, should you not place it within your own trust agreement. Some things to consider as you plan your estate include the potential difficulties of ancillary probate,
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has become an unlikely and innovative pioneer in the quest to provide cost-effective, quality home health care for veterans. Although the agency has long been mired in controversies surrounding its programs, particularly arbitrary caregiver dismissals, the home health services sector of the VA has long been touted as an overall success story. As Thomas Edes, director of comprehensive geriatrics and palliative care programs for the VA puts it “We’re
