Long-Term Care

The spread of the coronavirus to nursing home residents has caused the federal government to direct nursing homes to restrict visitor access, and many assisted living facilities have done the same. While the move helps the residents stay healthy, it can also lead to social isolation and depression. Families are having to find new ways to stay in touch. Nursing homes have been hit hard by the coronavirus. The Life Care Center of Kirkland, Washington near Seattle was one of the first clusters of coronavirus [...]

With the coronavirus pandemic hitting nursing homes and assisted living facilities especially hard, families are wondering whether they should bring their parents or other loved ones home. It is a tough decision with no easy answers. The number of coronavirus cases in nursing homes and assisted living facilities across the country continues to grow. As of April 2, the Associated Press estimated that “at least 450 deaths and nearly 2,300 infections have been linked to coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes and long-term care facilities nationwide.” [...]

As the coronavirus spreads across the United States, we are seeing that nursing home residents are among the most vulnerable to the disease. Several families have asked me, how can they try to ensure that their loved one stays healthy? The first thing you can do is research the nursing home. While you likely made inquiries before your loved one moved in, you may not have gotten into specifics about the facility’s policies for preventing infection. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has a fact [...]

Now is the time to think about whether you are in the right plan or whether a new plan could save you money. Medicare's Open Enrollment Period, in which you can enroll in or switch plans, runs from October 15 to December 7. During this period you may enroll in a Medicare Part D (prescription drug) plan or, if you currently have a plan, you may change plans. In addition, during the seven-week period, you can return to traditional Medicare (Parts A and B) from [...]

How many of us plan what we will eat or where we will vacation? I know I do.  In fact, many of us have likely set aside time out of our busy lives to plan a BBQ for the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend (I am guilty here too). However, many of us have not planned for the aging process or given any thought about the aging process.  Most Americans do not know, or refuse to accept, the facts surrounding their potential need for long-term care and the costs associated with it.  [...]