South Shore Senior Population Set to Boom

Posted on January 18, 2010

Yesterday's South Section of the Boston Globe had a two-page story on the coming boom in the senior population. It's reassuring to read that senior centers are reexamining their goals and programming in light of the change in clientele. The biggest issues I see facing my clients are (1) bringing in the support...

More Reasons to Write up a Caregiver Contract

Posted on November 13, 2009

I've been writing a lot about caregiver contracts lately. That's because they represent the ideal solution for so many families. Many children become part-time or even full-time caregivers for their aging parents. Sometimes a child needs to be paid for this - usually that is the only way she can afford to leave her...

Veterans Benefits: Aid & Attendance Benefits

Posted on October 26, 2009

Most of my clients need a little extra help at home but aren’t sure how to pay for it. When we look at their savings and project how long those funds will work for them, the bottom line is usually this: if the client had just a little more cushion, they could stay...

Howard Gleckman’s Caring for Our Parents

Posted on October 23, 2009

I’ve been reading Howard Gleckman’s book, Caring for Our Parents, in which he examines the long-term care system of today and the future. Essentially, if we keep on doing things as we are now (expect people to use up their savings to stay at home or in assisted living, have...

What Goes into a Caregiver Contract?

Posted on September 21, 2009

If as a parent and child, you have agreed that the child will care for her parent in exchange for compensation, you need to work with an elder law attorney to draft a caregiver contract, as discussed in earlier posts. What will your attorney put into the contract? She will list...

Paying Your Children to Care for You? Put it in Writing.

Posted on August 30, 2009

As they need more help with daily tasks, many parents prefer to have their kids helping them rather than hiring an aide. And many children want to be helping their parents, if only they could afford to quit their job. One solution is for the parent to hire the child. I discuss...

How Do You Purchase the Right Long-Term Care Insurance Policy?

Posted on December 10, 2008

If you can afford the premiums, long-term care insurance (LTCI) is usually good investment in your future. The right policy will pay for at-home care, medical equipment, nursing home care, and maybe even some of the monthly fees at an assisted living. Actuarial tables demonstrate that in many cases, families that paid LTCI premiums...