Two weeks ago, after working closely with a family to find just the right assisted living community for their mother, we settled on the perfect place. It could meet the mother's needs, was proximate to both her second husband and her adult child and was within their budget. The adult children completed the paperwork, placed the deposit and enlisted a moving service. Then, the mother changed her mind.   To read the entire article, go [...]

I recently ran into a neighbor at the Y whom I deeply respect and love. I’ve known her for fifteen years now and every Christmas she sends out easily the most creative card we receive. I called out, "Great holiday card!" She responded, "It’s all fake." There was a pause, then I said, "Whose isn't?" This exchange made me think of how often something similar happens when I sit down to work with a new [...]

One of my kids recently told me their teacher was really struggling because the mother she cared for in her home had taken a sharp turn for the worse due to dementia. This teacher was taking such good care of my child, I wanted to do something for her in return. They did not have the savings to afford full time memory care. Who does at $5,000 to 10,000/month.? She had no assets and furthermore, [...]

I recently met with a family who have been caring for their 90-year-old mother in their home. They have done so willingly out of love, but as her needs have increased, they fear they will not be able to do so for much longer while also keeping her safe. The issue is, like many people, they have heard just how expensive assisted and nursing care is. For those who do not qualify for special assistance, [...]

A client recently contacted me after her 94-year-old mother took a fall, which landed her in the Emergency Room. Fortunately, the mother remained alert and was able to clearly communicate to the attending physician what had happened, where it hurt and what she wanted done. However, this was a wakeup call for her daughter, with whom the mother lived. “My mom doesn’t have a Power of Attorney or will in place,” she told me. “What [...]

A client recently told me her mom had fallen victim for the third time to a scam in which someone called and demanded access to her computer. The mother gave it, lost money and also all the data on her computer. My client said she has talked with her mom over and over about avoiding this particular scams and others like it.   To read the entire article, go to: https://www.wral.com/preventing-senior-scams/17228148/

Recently, while helping a client organize her office after downsizing to a continuing care community, I came across a Tupperware bin of letters. “What are these?” I asked her. She put on her reading glasses and said, “Oh, it’s my Round Robin.”   To read the entire article, go to: https://www.wral.com/a-new-year-s-resolution-deepening-our-connections/17220690/

Did you know that the average American household receives over 850 pieces of junk mail, or the equivalent of 1.5 trees, every year? Add to that over 150 solicitation calls and thousands of email spams, and you can quickly feel like you’re climbing a never-ending Mount Everest of advertisements. You don’t have to be over 65 to feel overwhelmed; however, if you are over 65, you are at a significantly higher risk of being scammed. [...]

“Hey, Papa,” several grandkids said, as they streamed in the front door. Cedric, a former paratrooper with the Army for 20 years, was all dressed up. He looked sharp with his new haircut, nice pants and hard bottom slippers, sitting near the Christmas tree. Tracy, his youngest daughter, was sitting next to him as children and grandchildren, great grandchildren and even a great, great grandchild poured in--altogether, over thirty people. Tina, the oldest, daughter, worked [...]

Two years ago, on the occasion of their fiftieth wedding anniversary, my parents invited my family and my brother Erik’s to join them for one week in Helsinki, Finland, where they married on December 21, 1965. It was a production to line up everyone’s schedules. My husband has to request time off three to six months ahead of time. My sister-in-law Carmen does as well. There were apartments to rent and plane tickets to purchase, [...]