Individuals that live in assisted living facilities may able to deduct some of their expenses from their taxes. Costs for medical expenses, including some long-term care expenses, that make up more than 10 percent of your adjusted gross income (or 7.5 percent--through 2016--for taxpayers over 65) are tax deductible. Who Qualifies? To qualify for the [...]
A woman in Connecticut recently found out the hard way why you it is important to honor a signed nursing home agreement. When the woman admitted her mother to a nursing home, she signed an agreement as a “responsible relative” on her mother's behalf. Under the agreement, she promised that she would ensure the nursing [...]
In a past column I touched on the fact that no one wakes up and says to him or herself, “I want to go live in a nursing home or assisted living facility today.” I’ve also written about how often the adult children of the elderly feel guilty about making the tough but loving choice [...]
Let me start off this time with an obvious statement: nobody woke up this morning and said to him or herself, “I’d love to go live in a nursing home.” If you have an elderly parent or grandparent still living at home, or your spouse is still at your residence, I can assure you that [...]
There are many misconceptions about life in a nursing home and the care provided. As someone that has fully researched and then produced a consumer based DVD program on the various caregiving options for folks (more at www.ChoicesforCare.com), I wanted to give you some insights into one of our nation’s leading caregiving choices. Misconception #1: [...]
Radon is a natural and radioactive gas that you can't see, taste or smell. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recommends radon testing not just for Veterans, but for everyone. Radon can enter your home through floor and wall cracks, crawlspaces or soil. Every home has some radon. Prolonged inhalation of high amounts of [...]
When you're searching for the right nursing home, assisted living or other senior living option, there are many questions and many decisions to be made. Many families turn to elder care referral services for help. While it may appear that these companies strive to ensure quality care and treatment for the elderly, recent reports suggest [...]
Residents in assisted living facilities (ALFs) generally require less care and are typically more independent than nursing home residents. However, they share one sobering reality. Both groups are susceptible to potential abuse from staff or family members. Assisted living abuse may occur in the form of neglect or physical, psychological, sexual or financial abuse. Neglect [...]
Assisted living abuse can go undetected for a long time before it is discovered. Victims are often too ashamed, afraid or unable to report it for some reason, such as disability, frailty or no phone access. Family members who only occasionally visit may have no idea the abuse is occurring. Signs of assisted living abuse [...]
A senior living option for some older individuals who still are in good health are continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). A CCRC may consist of 100 to 500 living units. The units may be single-family homes, groups of cottages or in an urban high-rise. Some of the units are especially for residents who have special [...]