We get this question a fair amount. I’m going to answer this as directly as possible. If you are asking as the person in the facility, no. You cannot write off your own living expenses that aren’t part of any other enterprise, such as a business. If you are a child of or otherwise paying […]

When an aging parent or relative develops a serious medical condition that that requires care 24 hours a day, home care if often no longer a sustainable option.  Deciding to move a parent to a nursing home is always a tough decision for a family to make. The best time to start is before your […]

In recent years, there has been a drastic shift away from institutionalized care for aging seniors. In the last two decades of the twentieth century rest homes began disappearing rapidly. The percentage of people over 75 in nursing homes fell from 9.6% in 1985 to 6.4% in 2004, according to the AARP Public Policy Institute.  […]

I know from first-hand experience how dangerous falling can be to the seniors that we love. It took three days after a midnight fall at her assisted living residence to end the life of my mother-in-law. From that tragic experience, I have learned that it is the quick response after an inevitable fall that will […]

Many household injuries can be prevented by fixing safety hazards that are often overlooked. Usually, this involves nothing more than a few simple repairs. Here are the most common hazards to look for, organized by areas in the home.  All Areas of the Home:  Electrical Outlets and Switches  Outlets and switches unusually warm or hot to the […]

Helping a family member who needs eldercare services raises a whole set of unique issues and questions that none of us as caregivers (or potential caregivers) are eager to discuss. The topic of financial issues is a delicate subject for most aging adults, especially when it comes to telling their children how well, or not […]

There are many forms of arthritis and each type of arthritis has its own characteristic symptoms. While there are many types of arthritis affecting every patient differently, there are also common signs and symptoms to watch out for:  Common Symptoms of Arthritis  Inability to move freely  Joint pain, stiffness, swelling  Pain in areas around joints: typically, the hips, […]

Many of us have moved close to them in their twilight years or moved them close to us. And many more who have always been close to the same area. As they age, we travel more and we worry more when we can’t see them quickly or drive over to check on them. This list […]

I had a client recently whose elderly mother lived alone. Her mother had the various usual ailments that come with old age, including arthritis, moderate high blood pressure and diabetes. However, she was still fairly independent, doing her own cooking, shopping and minor household chores. From time to time her daughter would come over and […]

One can hardly pick up a newspaper or periodical and not see stories about families struggling to provide for a loved one who needs long-term care. Often accompanying the article is a statement about whether long-term care insurance may be appropriate for you. Unfortunately, whether you should or should not buy the product is based on a series […]