Linda S. Melancon, Attorney at Law
Legacy Center of Louisiana, LLC
Prairieville, Lousiana  70769
225-744-0027

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance, Louisiana chapter

 While it may be the rare individual who can afford to retire during the "Great Recession," for those close to retirement age or contemplating retirement, a basic understanding of retirement planning terms and options is imperative. There are many different things that you need to understand regarding retirement planning, but some of the most important are: understanding what type of plan you have and when distributions can or must be taken; understanding spousal rights in employment plans; understanding social security retirement benefits; and understanding if and when any unused retirement benefits will pass to your heirs. More on Retirement Planning Basics

David Paul Pollan, Esq.
The Pollan Law Firm
Atlanta, Georgia  30309
877-302-9780
  

Nursing Home care can cost $8,500 to $10,000 per month.  Few people can afford to pay privately for long-term care indefinitely. 

All too often, elders assume Medicare will cover continuous nursing home care should the need arise.  In fact, Medicare has a very limited "skilled rehabilitation" benefit and for only a maximum of 100 days per spell of illness.  Beyond the 100 day maximum benefit period, an individual will either pay privately or seek eligibility for "Nursing Home" Medicaid.  Nursing Home Medicaid is an available payment source for  continuous nursing home placement for those individuals who meet financial eligibility criteria.  More on Nursing Home Medicaid and Estate Planning Considerations

Sheri Abrams, Attorney at Law
Needham Mitnick & Pollack, PLC
Falls Church, Virginia  22046
703-536-7778

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance, Virginia chapter

WHAT ARE SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS?

Social Security Disability is a benefit received from the Social Security Administration by disabled workers and in some cases their dependents, similar to those received by retired workers.

WHO QUALIFIES?

To receive benefits under the Social Security Disability program, you must have a physical or mental health problem (or a combination of problems) severe enough to keep you from working in any regular paying job for at least one year. The test isn't whether or not you are able to go back to your old job, and the test isn't whether or not you have been able to find a job lately. Rather, the test is whether you are capable of doing any job available in the national economy. By using an extensive set of regulations, the Social Security Administration takes into account your medical condition, your age, your abilities, your training and your work experience in deciding your case. More on Answers to your Social Security Disability Questions

Allen Kampf, RFC, CLTC
Wealth Advocacy Partners
Sparks, Maryland  21152
410-527-1171

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance, Maryland chapter

As the number of elderly Americans increases, long-term care (LTC) needs and costs are likely to grow.  Many believe that private long-term care insurance can and should play a more significant role in the financing of home care and nursing home services.  Wider use of such insurance could shift the burden from individuals, who are often ill-prepared to pay for such care out-of-pocket, as well as from state Medicaid programs, which often serve as a default financier of long-term-care services. More on Long Term Care Partnership Programs

Martha M. Kern
Director, Lifecare Home Solutions
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois  60181
630-932-4032

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance, Illinois chapter

The problem of hoarding has recently garnered a great deal of attention, particularly since becoming the subject of an A&E television show.  It is not, however, a new problem.  It pre-dates the Depression (and is not caused by Depression-Era upbringings), has been documented all over the world, and is believed to afflict 15 million Americans to a clinically-significant degree.  Hoarding causes trouble not just for the hoarder, but for everyone in their lives.  Paradoxically, allowing a hoarder to get into trouble rather than working to get them out of trouble may just be the key to lasting change. More on The Hoarding Dilemma: When and How to Help

Richard M. Morgan, JD, LLM
Morgan and DiSalvo, P.C.
Alpharetta, GA  30022
678-720-0750

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance, Georgia chapter

Executive Summary:  Converting your investments in traditional IRAs to a Roth IRA during 2010 can be an important planning opportunity for many tax payers.  This conversion allows you to move from a tax deferred environment into a tax free environment.  While this opportunity is normally open to those with income below a certain cap amount, during 2010 no such income cap exists.  Further, while such conversion is an income taxable event (but without any penalties), conversions during 2010 give you the option to defer the taxable income by recognizing 1/2 in 2011 and 1/2 in 2012.  More on Window of Opportunity: Convert Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA During 2010

Sally Allen
A Place for Everything, LLC
Golden, Colorado
303-526-5357

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance, Colorado chapter

If you or your parents are at the stage of life to consider downsizing, you've got a lot of company.  Nearly 40 million people in the United States, or 13 percent of the total population, were 65 or older in 2007, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

As individuals live longer and families are often geographically dispersed, more elderly adults are faced with the trauma of relocating, often from a place they've called home for decades.  Every nook and cranny holds special memories.  The thought of leaving them behind can be overwhelming. More on Tips to Make Downsizing Easier

Kenneth C. King, Jr., Esq.
King Law Group, P.C.
Roanoke, Virginia 
1-866-985-1123

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance, Virginia chapter

The holidays are the best time of the year for talking T-U-R-K-E-Y.  As you savor turkey and gravy and once again remember how good the green bean casserole really tastes, gather your family into a "Time to Talk Turkey" about your family's Love 'n Money.  The holidays are the right time to formulate and discuss your family's plans, including your estate plans.

To get you started, during a large helping of mashed potatoes and gravy, here is a simple formula for family discussion: talk T-U-R-K-E-Y(the "Turkey" topics are in the following paragraphs).  For each Turkey topic, discuss who, what, when, where and how.  It is that simple.  So, let's get talking T-U-R-K-E-Y about your family's Love 'n Money.  For each letter in "Turkey", we'll get you started with some questions.  Now, it is your turn to provide the discussion. More on Time to Talk T-U-R-K-E-Y

Marilyn Ellis
Lighthouse Organizers, LLC
Walnut Creek, California
1-866-379-6440

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance, California chapter

Moving into an assisted living community isn't the end of the road – it's a new beginning.

While seniors might desire to stay in their homes, practicalities often dominate: hard to walk up stairs, inadequate bathroom, or the home is in disrepair or is too big or too costly to keep up.  Perhaps they have suffered an unexpected and permanent loss in function.  Moving in with you or having someone live with them may not be an option.

If you've neither visited an assisted living community nor done so in several years, you are in for a happy surprise.  They are nothing like the early 20th century horrors of a nursing home. More on What to take when moving into assisted living

Scott Makuakane, JD, CFP
Est8Planning Counsel LLLC
Honolulu, HI  96813
808-587-8227

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance, Hawaii chapter

What is a trust?

A trust is the legal relationship that is created when a person transfers property to a trustee with the understanding that the trustee will manage the property for the benefit of one or more beneficiaries.

The term "property" is used here in its broadest sense to include both real property – such as land and buildings – and personal property – such as bank accounts, stocks and bonds, and personal effects.

The person who transfers the property to the trustee is called a trustmaker.  This person is also known as a settlor, grantor, or trustor. More on Answers to frequently asked questions about revocable living trusts

Allen Kampf, RFC
Wealth Advocacy Partners
Sparks, Maryland
410-527-1171

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance, Maryland chapter

As a result of medical technology, we are definitely living longer.  When we continue living, we age; when we age, we need care.  It isn't a question of who will care for you.  The question is, "What impact will that care have on your family – physically, emotionally and financially?" More on Who Pays for Long-Term Care?

Jonathan Ginsberg, Esq.
Ginsberg Law Offices
Atlanta, Georgia
770-393-4985

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance,
Georgia chapter

The recession of 2008-2009 has especially affected retirees whose fixed income investments no longer provide enough money to live.

For many retirees, credit card balances have increased the past several years and they can't even afford the minimum payments.  Others make mortgage payments on homes that are now worth less than the total mortgage debt.  Selling and downsizing is no longer viable.

As an option to help retirees out of their financial troubles, bankruptcy is often met with ambivalence.  Moreover, and not surprisingly, to hardworking, industrious men and women, bankruptcy represents both a financial and a personal failure.

Complicating the issue, many retirees hide debt problems from their adult children, or they make ill-advised decisions, such as liquidating retirement plans, long before they meet with their legal or financial advisors.

But before you dismiss the idea of bankruptcy, let's learn a little more about it. More on Special considerations for seniors facing bankruptcy

Paul T. Czepiga, J.D.
Czepiga Daly Dillman, LLC
Newington & Wethersfield , Connecticut
860-563-4070

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance,
Connecticut chapter

 Editor's note:  The following article about the probate process is a case study of the system in Connecticut.  Although not nati0nal in scope, the steps examined in this article may be useful when doing estate planning in whatever state you live in and for generating questions for your financial and legal advisors.

Many people believe it is important is avoid probate.  Some have heard that using a "living trust" avoids probate.  Others may have had a particularly bad experience with a probate court.

To understand why one might want to use or avoid probate, let's first understand what the probate court's role is in processing estates of decedents, sometimes called the estate administration process. More on The Probate Process – Connecticut's 6 steps can help you understand your state's procedures

Ben A. Neiburger, JD, CPA
Neiburger Law, Ltd.
Elmhurst, Illinois
630-782-1766

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance, Illinois chapter

Estate planning helps ensure your assets go to your desired beneficiaries after you pass away.  This article describes the tools, such as gifts, wills, beneficiary designations, trusts, and strategies that elder law attorneys use to create an estate plan. More on Estate Planning Tools to Transfer Assets After Death

By Sanford J. Mall, JD, CELA
Mall Malisow & Cooney, P.C.
Farmington Hills, Michigan
248-538-1800

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance, Michigan chapter

Elder law is a specialized area of law that focuses on assisting older individuals and those with disabilities preserve their dignity, protect their assets, and make good decisions despite increasingly complicated laws.  This specialty encompasses such areas as planning and paying for long-term care, asset preservation, housing options, disability planning, estate planning (including the use of financial and health care durable powers of attorney), and when necessary, the involvement of the probate court.

More on Understanding Elder Law

By John Stewart
Director of Estate and Asset Services
American Cancer Society
1-877-227-1598

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance, Georgia chapter

An estate plan aims to preserve the maximum wealth possible for the intended beneficiaries, while providing financial flexibility for the plan's owners throughout their lives. 

Most Americans can benefit from estate plans, but more than half don't have one in place.

More on Value of estate planning is lost to half the population

Shay Jacobson, RN, MA
Life Care Innovations
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois
630-953-2154

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance, Illinois chapter

Long term care has evolved into a "catch all" phrase that is confusing to the lay as well as the professional community.  The boundaries among primary, acute, and long term care have blurred.  Instead of concentrating on acute care in hospitals, our health care system's focus has switched to managing chronic conditions in a variety of settings from home to rehabilitation hospitals.  The long term care goal switches from curing illness to helping individuals function as well as possible while maintaining dignity and independence.  Individuals that require long term care have a compromised ability to live on their own due to their condition.  Long term care encompasses help with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, eating, and toileting. More on Medical Issues and Terminology in Long Term Care

By Philip C. Benedict, CFP
Benedict Financial Advisors
Atlanta, Georgia
770-671-8228

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance, Georgia chapter

Over the years, I have brought up the topic of long-term care insurance with my clients and friends.   Some got coverage, but many did nothing.  So, I asked a few of the "do nothings" why they took no action.

More on Long-term care insurance is not only for nursing homes

 By Jeff Bernier, CFP, ChFC, CFS
TandemGrowth Financial Advisors, LLC
Roswell, Georgia
770-641-6360

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance,
Georgia chapter

In the face of volatile investment markets, rising medical costs, increased taxes, and uncertain social security benefits, many retirees are looking for solutions.

This article is designed to assist retirees in planning for retirement while taking a critical look at the financial services industry's packaged solutions. More on Take a critical look at financial instruments

By Mandy Merkel, MMSc, CCC-SLP
Senior Resource Consulting
Atlanta, Georgia
404-786-7789

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance,
Georgia chapter

After my parents retired to Florida, we thought things would be fine; if something happened to them, we could hop on a plane and take care of things.

Unfortunately, it was not that simple.  Dad broke his hip and needed short term rehab – unbeknownst to us, he had been taking care of Mom as her dementia advanced.

Like many parents, he had kept us in the dark about how much she depended on him and like many children, we chose not to see the realities of her decline.

Now we were in a crisis: More on Distance caregiving is new baby boomer challenge

By Gary Figiel, MD
Southeastern Geriatric Healthcare Group
Atlanta, Georgia
404-497-1830

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance,
Georgia chapter

Depression is a serious life threatening illness, which without question increases the risk of mortality in elderly patients and is linked with increased mortality of residents in nursing and assisted living homes, along with other long-term care facilities.
More on Diagnosing and Managing Depression in the Elderly

By Tom Olsen
St. George Village
Roswell, Georgia
770-645-2340

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance, Georgia chapter

What is a CCRC?

A "CCRC" is a Continuing Care Retirement Community, the most comprehensive retirement living option available to seniors in America today.

A CCRC combines the services of an independent living retirement community with an assisted-living facility and a nursing home at a single location. More on CCRCs combine independent living with assisted living and nursing home care

By Ginny Helms
Alzheimer's Association, Georgia Chapter
Atlanta, Georgia
404-728-1181   
                                                    
Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance,
Georgia chapter

Of all the issues of aging, none has been more emotionally or medically challenging than Alzheimer's disease.  And because we are living longer, the incidence of Alzheimer's is on the rise.  More than 1,000 cases are diagnosed each day in the U.S., In Georgia alone, the Alzheimer's Association counts more than 160,000 cases. More on ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE: Significant Progress toward Prevention and Cure

By Phillip G. Sanders, MBA, MSHA, CPA
Georgia ElderCare Advisors, LLC
Atlanta, Georgia
770-379-4500

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance,
Georgia chapter

If you really want to understand what ElderCare is all about, talk to someone like Jeanette Johnson.  In 1990, her husband, a Navy veteran of 24 years, passed away.  In 2001, she suffered two strokes within 20 days.  While many might have given up, the self-described "stubborn" Mrs. Johnson persevered.  

More on Finding the right ElderCare professional can make a difference in a life

By Gary Figiel, MD
Southeastern Geriatric Healthcare Group
Atlanta, Georgia
404-497-1830

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance,
Georgia chapter

This is the second most asked question from a patient's loved one: "Am I going to get it too?" 

The most frequently asked question is: "What is the difference between Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Dementia?" More on My parent has Alzheimer's Disease – Am I going to get it too?

By Robert M. Bregitzer, CPA
Southeast Mortgage
Dunwoody, Georgia
770-399-7775

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance,
Georgia chapter

When Mildred Austin inquired about a reverse mortgage, she did not know much about them. "All I knew was that this could help me; I needed someone to explain it to me". After talking with a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Counselor, meeting with a reverse mortgage specialist, and discussing the options with her advisors, she decided that a reverse mortgage was her best option. "I was able to make needed repairs to my house, pay-off my existing mortgage loan and several medical bills and obtain a monthly check to supplement my social security. This loan has been a blessing."

More on The Reverse Mortgage: Some Seniors Can't Stay Home Without It

By Phillip G. Sanders, MBA, MSHA, CPA
Georgia ElderCare Advisors, LLC
Atlanta, Georgia
770-379-4500

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance,
Georgia chapter

During the last several years, I have had the honor to address my colleagues at the AICPA's (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) National ElderCare conference in Phoenix, and to serve as a panelist at the day-long nationally televised symposium for ElderCare professionals in Dallas.  The overriding message I heard from fellow CPAs and attorneys was the importance of setting into place NOW a long-term care plan — a plan that details how you will finance your and your family's future ElderCare needs.

More on Experts Agree: Plan Now for Future ElderCare Needs

By Philip C. Benedict, CFP
Benedict Financial Advisors, Inc.
Atlanta, Georgia
770-671-8228

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance,
Georgia chapter

Raymond and Sally are what almost everyone wants to look like and act like when they pass their 80th birthday.

Sally still volunteers at the local elementary school and Ray is a landmark at the local golf club. They seem to have everything – good health, a fine daughter and son-in-law and three adorable grandchildren. Their lifestyle, while not extravagant, could not be considered modest either. More on Overspending is more than simply spending your children's inheritance

By Michelle Ettenger
Elmcroft of Roswell
Roswell, Georgia
770-650-0555

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance, Georgia chapter

Not too long ago, families had few choices for senior housing. If an elderly person was unable to manage in their own home or could not be cared for by his family, then the nursing home for the infirm and the most frail was the only housing option available.

Today, it is quite different. More on When is assisted living the right choice?

By Lane Tharp, SRES, CSA
Coldwell Banker
Atlanta, Georgia
770-804-7805

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance,
Georgia chapter

It is exciting to move to a more manageable home after years of maintaining a large home and yard. The choices for downsizing are much greater now than ever before.

Downsizing may involve moving to a smaller home, a ranch condominium, or even a larger home on a smaller lot. It may also involve changing your community from a single-family home in an established neighborhood to an apartment home, a golf or lake community, a retirement community, or an assisted living facility.

The savvy home seller will want to approach this transition with a plan so that the move goes as smoothly as possible. More on Get marketing know-how when you're downsizing

By J. Michael Bishop, JD
Smiley Bishop & Porter, LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
770-829-3850

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance,
Georgia chapter

Six months have passed since Betty's husband Joe died. Betty always let Joe handle the money matters. He had always been a savvy investor, but in the last several years, it had become obvious that Joe really was not on top of his game.

Now, Betty asked her daughter Sarah to help her look through the couple's financial papers. Things are a mess. There are piles of unopened envelopes from brokerage firms, mutual fund companies and banks. As Sarah opens the statements, she becomes distressed because the brokerage accounts have suffered some significant losses due to a downturn in the stock market or is something else wrong? How can she tell? More on Caveat emptor – Stockbroker fraud

By Jeff Bernier, CFP, ChFC, CFS
TandemGrowth Financial Advisors, LLC
Roswell, Georgia
770-641-6360

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance,
Georgia chapter

When was the last time you talked with an investment professional who didn't promote diversification? Stocks, bonds, cash, real estate, some international as well as domestic investments–it's called asset class diversification and it's a principle of sound investing.

More on INVESTING: Avoiding Long-Term as well as Short-Term Risk

By Charles J. Hampton, Esq.
Charles J. Hampton, PC
Atlanta, Georgia
770-804-8000

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance,
Georgia chapter

You might have already gotten the pitch: Come for a free dinner and learn how to avoid probate. The sale is typically a living or revocable trust — transfer your assets now so when you die they will be distributed as you wish without having to pass through the probate court.

More on FEAR FACTOR: Probate!

By Debra A. Robinson, JD
Robinson & Miller, PC
Alpharetta, Georgia
770-817-4999

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance,
Georgia chapter

Women, may we have your attention?

Women are so busy caring for others, they often forget to take care of themselves.

As a result, many women fail to properly plan for the distribution of their assets at death and fail to make their health care decisions in the event of incapacity. More on Women Often Fail to Plan for End of Life Decisions

By Stephen C. Andrews, JD
Bodker, Ramsey, Andrews, Winograd & Wildstein, PC
Atlanta, Georgia
404-351-1615

Member of the national ElderCare Matters Alliance,
Georgia chapter

What do you do when you suspect that a loved one is being subjected to undue influence or other pressures to change their will?

 Georgia law provides that a will must be freely and voluntarily executed. That is, a will may be invalidated if it is the result of “undue influence,” More on Are Your Loved One's Being Pressured to Change Their Wills?