The National Council on Aging (NCOA) recently released a list of five recommendations for Congress to help American seniors in 2014. 1. Strengthen the Older Americans Act (OAA). The OAA provides funding for critical services for seniors living independently at…
Category: Long-Term Care
Four Legal Documents for Managing an Incapacitated Parent’s Affairs
When an elderly parent becomes incapacitated or terminally ill, the management of the parent's financial and medical affairs often falls to one of the children. By having the proper legal documents in place, you can help ensure that this process…
Planned Virginia Beach Housing Development for the Disabled Sparks Controversy
A private initiative to build a housing development for people with mental disabilities right here in Virginia Beach has stirred some controversy. Debra Dear, 52, and her husband care for their 31-year-old daughter Lindsey, who has a chromosomal disorder, at…
Following DOMA Ruling, Social Security Administration Begins Processing Applications for Same-Sex Couples
The recent Supreme Court ruling striking down a portion of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) will have widespread effects on many federal programs. It may take quite some time for the ruling to be fully implemented into law. But…
Alzheimer’s Less Prevalent Among Those Who Retire Later, Study Shows
A new study in France of nearly half a million retirees provided support for the theory that using one's brain can help prevent Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. That is because the research shows a link between delayed retirement…
Social Security Financial Outlook Report Forecasts Trust Fund Depletion
Each year, the Social Security Board of Trustees releases its yearly report on the long-term financial outlook of the Social Security Trust Funds. The report includes projections for when those trust funds will be depleted. Social Security holds reserves in…
Steps to Take in Resolving a Dispute with a Nursing Home
Disputes between nursing homes and residents' families can arise over a number of topics. The quality of care and food, adequate staffing levels for proper assistance, and opportunities for occupational therapy are all possible points of conflict. If you never…
Study Finds Similar Gene Variations in African-American and Caucasian Alzheimer’s Patients
African-Americans are diagnosed with Alzheimer's at a slightly higher rate than people of European ancestry, but a new study found no genetic difference between the groups that could account for the asymmetry. In one of the first large studies on…
Americans Support Raising Taxes to Protect Social Security
Despite years of debate on Capitol Hill, Congress has failed to act on Social Security reform. Any reform proposal with a fighting chance would likely include an increase in payroll taxes. Would the American public support such measures? Recently, the…
