Author Archives: Andre O. McDonald
How to Avoid the Medicaid Penalty for Gifts
Michelle’s children were concerned that Michelle would need long-term nursing-home care in the near future. It was the holidays, and Michelle always got a lot of joy out of generosity. But her children also worried that her generosity could hurt her in the long run, because they had heard that people in Michelle’s circumstances… Read More »
The Stress of Caregiving for the Sandwich Generation
Dorothy Miller, a social worker, first created the term “sandwich generation” in 1981. A Journalist, Carol Abaya, continued to study and add to what the term means. In 2006, Miriam Webster included the term, sandwich generation, in the dictionary for the first time. The sandwich generation is defined as a generation of people who… Read More »
3 Liability Planning Tips Every Physician Should Know
You probably know that the practice of medicine is a profession fraught with the risk of liability. It’s not just medical malpractice claims either (although those are certainly scary enough). It’s the entire scope of risk from being in business, including employment-related issues, careless business partners and employees, and contractual obligations, as well as… Read More »
3 Common Mistakes When Planning for a Disabled Family Member
There are 58 million Americans five years of age or older that are identified as special needs, making them the largest single minority in this country. The majority of federal and state benefits available to help persons with disabilities are needs-based, meaning income and assets are strictly limited and can often by misinterpreted, resulting in costly… Read More »
3 Reasons Veterans Should Have a Professional Advocate
The number of stories of veterans’ benefits getting tied up in the system is not only sad, but startling. A quick internet search can lead to story after story of veterans who have struggled to receive the benefits that are owed to them. Robert DiCicco, a former United States Marine, spent his final years… Read More »
Wills, Trusts & Dying Intestate: What’s the Difference?
“Estate planning is for the rich! I don’t have enough assets to do an estate plan!” Sounds familiar? These are some of the excuses folks make in order to justify not creating an estate plan. While most people understand that having some sort of an estate plan is a good thing, many of us… Read More »
How to Balance Caregiving with Your Work and Career
Providing care for a senior family member, particularly long-term care, can bring about lost wages and missed opportunities for the caregiver. A report by Genworth entitled Beyond Dollars 2018 shows that although statistically having to miss work to provide care is down 7% from 2015, overall 70% of caregivers still report missing work because of caregiving… Read More »
New Eligibility Rules for VA Pension
On October 18, 2018, new rules regarding eligibility for VA pension were implemented by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The new rules are quite comprehensive; however, they also provide more opportunities for veteran and surviving spouses to qualify for these important benefits. 3 Major Changes to Eligibility Rules for VA Pension 1. Lookback… Read More »
4 End-of-Life Documents You May Need
You may think your living will is in order, including instructions regarding resuscitation commonly referred to as a DNR (do not resuscitate). While your wishes in a living will may be appropriately documented, that does not guarantee the instructions will be carried out as you stated. The frightening truth is that mistakes regarding your end-of-life… Read More »
How Technology Can Reduce Feelings of Isolation for Seniors
The holidays are upon us and unfortunately many seniors feel even more isolated during this time. Thankfully, technology has provided some interactive gadgets to help lessen feelings of isolation. One of those gadgets, called the GrandPad, is discussed below. A New Technology Product to Help Reduce Feelings of Isolation in Seniors The internet is… Read More »
