It's almost like you need an advanced degree to navigate hospital bills, assisted living community contracts, or your parent's medical treatments and recommendations. No one can do it all. However, there are experts who can help. Until not too long ago, when the needs of elderly family members arose, younger family members nearby stepped in to meet them. But that is becoming less possible. These days, families are often more dispersed. With both spouses working [...]

A CCRC, short for Continuing Care Retirement Community, is a place that offers all levels of care, from Independent to Assisted to Skilled Nursing, within one community. Many CCRCs also offer Memory Care on-site. CCRCs are typically considerably more expensive than the month-to-month stand-alone options I’ve covered in previous articles. That said, people who can afford this often choose to do so for peace of mind. To read the entire article, go to: https://www.wral.com/what-is-a-ccrc-/17361700/  

One in ten people over 65 has Alzheimer's. One in three seniors dies of Alzheimer's or other dementias. The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease worsen over time, although the rate at which the disease progresses varies. On average, a person with Alzheimer's lives four to eight years after diagnosis, but can live as long as 20 years, depending on other factors. To read the entire article, go to: https://www.wral.com/what-is-memory-care-/17352015/

Assisted Living was designed for people who are primarily independent, but need some help with Activities of Daily Living (called "ADLs"), such as bathing and dressing. They could also benefit socially and emotionally by being with others their age. Safety and security are also important benefits. North Carolina defines an Assisted Living as a facility offering group housing, housekeeping services, at least one meal a day, and personal care and supportive services, either through the [...]

Independent Living Communities, as opposed to senior housing, are communities physically designed with amenities and services that keep seniors independent as long as possible. For example, most Independent Living apartments are wheelchair accessible, have built-in safety features like extra lighting, grab bars in the bathroom, a roll-in or easy-step shower, emergency pull-cords, pendants and daily check-in procedures. They often offer restaurant style dining with Chef-prepared meals, a wellness center with fitness programs geared towards seniors, [...]

Years ago, in an article about photographer Sally Mann, the interviewer disparagingly asked Ms. Mann why all her photographs were of her kids. At the time, she was a mother of three young children living a very simple life in rural Virginia. She responded, "I’m working within my constraints."   To read the entire article, go to: https://www.wral.com/senior-star-aimee-everett/17320783/

Senior communities are for people who are still living independently, but often want to downsize, simplify and/or live in a home with safety features, services or resources tailored to their needs over time. In this piece, I'll briefly cover four options, representing a broad cost spectrum, as well as tips from Senior Real Estate Specialist Specialist Deb McCutcheon on considerations to keep in mind as you look. I’ll start on the lower end of the cost spectrum. [...]

"Help! Dad’s memory issues are too much." "Mom’s unsteady on her feet." "The house is so cluttered I’m afraid one of them will take a fatal fall." We humans avoid change until we’re forced, especially if it means leaving home. As one gets older, it almost feels like throwing in the towel. We dig our heels in. We refuse to budge. We repeat, "You’re going to have to carry me out in a coffin." But [...]

Recently, after identifying three Assisted Living Communities for a family I was working with, the daughter called in a panic, worried that her mom would outlive her savings. I knew her mother was the widow of a veteran who was on active duty in the Korean War. "Did you take into consideration the Aid and Attendance Benefit?" I asked. The Aid and Attendance Benefit helps veterans and their spouses who cannot live on their own [...]

Your elderly neighbor takes a fall, hits her head and passes out. You call 911. When the ambulance arrives, a young paramedic asks, "Any medical conditions we should know about?" You have no idea what to say. According to NC Information Technology, 7.3 million calls were made to 911 in North Carolina in 2017 alone. (Over 100,000 were made in Wake County.) About 80% of 911 calls are medical emergencies. Of those, around half involve [...]