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An individual with mental health issues can benefit greatly from having proper health care directives in place, especially since it allows a chosen, trusted loved one to help with decisions about care, treatment, and medications, as well as the ability to help complete paperwork.

I often see the results of when someone fails to plan for an unexpected disability. People tend to think about estate plans in terms of retirement and what happens to their assets after they die, but many don’t consider the possibility of disability.

The IRS is increasing the amount taxpayers can deduct from their 2019 income as a result of buying long-term care insurance.

Clients sometimes ask me whether they can authorize their healthcare agent (named in their advance directives or medical powers of attorney) to, essentially, euthanize them if their quality of life becomes intolerable.  The answer is no, that would be considered murder, at least the way the laws ...

We've all heard the advice “It pays to shop around,” but this has never been more true than with the current market for long-term care insurance.  According to the latest industry figures, the spread between the lowest and highest cost for virtually identical coverage was as high as 243 percent....

Despite well-publicized cases like that of Terri Schiavo, most Americans still do not have "advance directives" that give caregivers instructions on the kind of care they would like to receive should they become terminally ill or permanently unconscious.  

Nursing home patients are less likely to be subjected to unwanted medical interventions or hospitalizations under a program that offers an alternative to simple advance directives, according to a new study. While advance directives or "living wills" provide general guidance on what type of...

The medical procedure may be routine. However, you still need to be ready with answers. Many documents, including a living will or health care directive, may now need to be in place before medical procedures, according to the Kirkland Reporter in “Take control of health care decisions in 2019 ...

Passing away quietly at home without pain is not a common occurrence. Increasing the chances of achieving a peaceful death requires some careful planning as well as conversations with loved ones, according to The Wall Street Journal in “Preparing For a Good End Of Life.” You will want to make ...

The need for caregiving often comes about unexpectedly.People often think they should make arrangements for a Power of Attorney or living will but unfortunately the need arises suddenly resulting in a challenging situation, according to Expert Click in “How to Get Power of Attorney for Aging Pa...

More than 5.7 million people in this country are suffering from the disease. More and more members of families are experiencing the dilemma of expressing their wishes before they become incapacitated from Alzheimer's Disease, according to USA Today in “B. Smith's Alzheimer's raises question: How...

Start planning long before a visit is needed. Careful planning can often help patients with Alzheimer's to be more relaxed and comfortable if the day comes when a trip to the emergency room becomes necessary, according to The Advocate in “Alzheimer's Q&A: What should I know before taking someone...

Laws can still prevent someone with your Advance Care Directive from accessing medical records. It seems illogical that the person who is named as your agent under an Advanced Care Directive can't gain access to your health care records. However, that can sometimes be the case, according to th...

What happens to the caregiver when your loved one is gone? Providing care for another adult can be difficult because the caregiver often puts their life on hold.  They may find themselves facing a new challenge later, according to the AARP Bulletin in “What Happens When Caregiving Ends?”

Not having a long-term care plan can put your family at financial risk. A government report estimates a vast majority of those over 65 will end up needing long-term care. However, many people do not have plans to meet the expenditures, according to Westfair Online...

What measures would you like carried out if health issues arise and you can't speak for yourself? A very important conversation to have with your loved ones is what you would like for care should a health crisis arise. While it most likely will not be your favorite conversation, it is importan...

If the topic of medical directives has not come up within the family and there has been no discussion, then do it now. Medical directives and other estate planning documents need to be kept up to date as the years pass by, according to the Watertown Public Opinion...

Some issues are not easy to approach for discussion. However, they are necessary. With holidays upon us, it is perhaps a good time to have a conversation with your parents about long-term care and other aging issues, according to News3LV...

So, just who signed the agreement? The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that the daughter of a deceased dementia patient does not have to submit to binding arbitration with a nursing and rehabilitation center, because of the question of having authority to sign the agreement, according to Legal Newsline...

There can be a future, but plans must be made. A diagnosis of early stages of Alzheimer's does not mean the immediate end. However, it does mean that plans have to be made quickly, as explained in The New York Times article “Leading an Active Life with a Diagnosis of Dementia.” 

You cannot control the action of an adult child, but you can prepare for it. No matter how close family members may be, they do not always agree with your viewpoints and that can create some real problems in later years. However, those problems can be avoided, according to “Aging parents can...

It can be expensive for you and you might want to talk to other family members about the finances. The primary caregiver for an elderly family member needs to go into the position, knowing it will be costly to them as well, according to The Motley Fool...

The older one gets, the more expensive the insurance becomes and that is, if it is still available. The possibility of needing long-term care can be a thought that one would like to avoid. However, the truth is it should be discussed and taken into consideration in retirement planning...

If you prefer to remain in your own home, check out options before deciding on assisted living. There are many seniors and retired Americans that are not aware of options that help them remain in their own homes if that is what they prefer, according to Next Avenue...

It may be a tough conversation to create an Advance Directive.  However, it can give you peace of mind. While it may be difficult to come to conclusions needed to create an Advance Directive, it is really a good idea to have one when you reach the age of majority, according to The Herald News...