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Practical Insights for Family Financial Caregivers

Written by Christine M. Parker, CFP®, APMA™, CRPC™, CSRIC®, Wealth Advisor for Family Financial Caregivers

October is Financial Planning Month and includes Estate Planning Awareness Week
(October 20–26, 2025)—a timely reminder that protecting a family home or land from tangled
title is about more than property; it’s about financial stability and generational wealth
preservation. For family financial caregivers, especially women leaders balancing careers and
caregiving responsibilities for an older parent or loved one aging in place, this is the perfect
moment to take stock: review wills, trusts, and estate plans to ensure deeds are up to date, and
work with professionals who can help prevent tangled titles from eroding generational wealth.

A Family Story: How One Piece of Land Was Lost
In 2010, my grandmother passed away. She was a widow in her late eighties, and among
her real property assets was a 5-acre parcel of land that was part of a farm located in Anne
Arundel County, which had been initially divided and passed down by my great-grandparents.
Unlike the family home, this parcel was never included in her probated estate. With no legally
recognized owner, the property taxes went unpaid for many years. Eventually, the state of
Maryland sold the land at a tax sale auction well below market value.

Last year, my grandmother’s heirs were stunned to receive a letter regarding the heirs'
property and a “right of redemption.” The news brought more confusion than hope—reclaiming
the tangled title would require a costly and complicated legal process. Faced with time
constraints and limited options, we watched helplessly as the land was lost.

Aging at Home: What the Numbers Reveal
The story reflects a much larger reality. According to the recent Caregiving in the U.S.
2025 report, 44% of care recipients now live in their own homes, and many older adults,
particularly women, are aging alone while struggling with high housing costs. These pressures
increase the risk that the house and land are at risk without clear estate planning. The likelihood
of living alone increases with age, particularly for women; among women aged 75 and older,
42% live alone. Of the 14.8 million households headed by people in this age group in 2021, 78%
owned their homes. Yet, as the 2023 Profile of Older Americans from the Administration for
Community Living (ACL) notes, homeowners age 75 and older spent an average of 37% of their
income on housing. Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies defines households that spend
30% or more of their income on housing as “cost-burdened,” underscoring the financial
vulnerability many older adults face even when they own their homes.

Where Care Recipient Lives

Where care recipients live
Insights on Where Care Recipients Live

For many families, a home or piece of land represents far more than shelter—it is a
source of financial security, stability, and generational wealth. Yet without proper estate
planning, that wealth can quickly be eroded or lost. One of the most common risks is heirs’
property, which arises when real estate is passed down without a clear legal transfer of title. If
someone dies without a will or estate plan, the estate is distributed under state intestacy laws,
often leaving ownership “tangled.” In these cases, without a clear title, families and individuals
may be unable to secure financing, secure a mortgage, qualify for disaster assistance, or preserve
the home for future generations.

Why Tangled Titles Happen and Why They Put Families at Risk

A tangled title occurs when ownership of a home or land is unclear. This can happen when:

  • A parent or loved one passes away without a will
  • The deed was never updated, or
  • Probate was never completed

The financial risks for families are serious:

  • Multiple heirs may face disputes and challenges in managing the property.
  • Families may be blocked from refinancing, getting home repair loans, or claiming tax
    credits.
  • Disaster relief can be denied or delayed because the Federal Emergency Management
    Administration (FEMA) requires proof of clear ownership; proof of ownership for
    heir’s property.
  • Properties may even be lost in tax sales.

What Research Shows: Who is Most at Risk

A new Urban Institute 2025 report found that these problems are most acute for older,
vulnerable adults; communities of color; and families with limited digital access. 42.4% of senior
homeowners aged 50 or older do not have a will or trust. Furthermore, only an estimated one in
four Hispanic homeowners and one in three Black homeowners have an estate plan in place. The
lack of a will or estate plan is one reason for tangled titles. For these households, where a home
is often the most valuable asset, tangled title and heirs’ property are a threat to wealth
preservation. The research study found that “creating a will or estate plan is one of the most
effective ways to protect against these risks.”

Free Help for Maryland Families
For low-income families, access to legal aid can mean the difference between losing a
home and securing it for future generations. The Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS)
is a leading model, offering free support to eligible families across the state, from Baltimore City
to rural farmland on the Eastern Shore. Their programs include:

  • Tangled Title Expansion Project – Corrects deeds, administers estates, and secures
  • clear ownership.
  • Estate Planning Clinics & Seminars – Guides seniors and caregivers in creating wills,
  • powers of attorney, and advance directives before incapacity.
  • Heirs’ Property & Tax Sale Protections – Prevents the loss of homes or land through tax sales while preserving intergenerational ownership.

MVLS attorneys and trained volunteers walk families through probate, resolve deed
issues, and help caregivers take proactive steps.

Legal Reforms: Progress Made and Gaps That Remain
In 2022, Maryland enacted the “Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act,” its version of
the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act (UPHPA), which protects heirs from speculators and
predatory forced sales and loss of equity by granting cotenant heirs the first opportunity to buy
out other heirs and requiring fair market appraisals.

Maryland law does not yet allow beneficiary deeds—simple documents that would
enable property to transfer directly to heirs outside of probate while preserving flexibility (unlike
a life estate deed), reducing cost and complexity, and preserving step-up in basis. For caregivers,
expanding this option would ease stress, reduce costs, and help maintain family homes and land
for future generations. Beneficiary deeds are already available in more than half of U.S. states,
including Virginia and the District of Columbia, offering a proven, low-cost tool to prevent
tangled titles and heirs' property.

Key Insight for Family Caregivers
Estate planning begins with a critical first step: compiling a complete inventory of your
loved one’s real and personal property and other assets. Some assets are classified as probate
property and are distributed through a will—or by state intestacy law if no will exists—while
others are non-probate assets that transfer directly to beneficiaries or co-owners through
designations or trusts.

If your loved one receives Medicaid for nursing or home care, the state may later seek
repayment from the estate. In some cases, this may include placing a lien on the home, with
protections in place for certain surviving family members.

With professional guidance from attorneys, financial planners, and nonprofit providers,
caregivers can navigate these complexities, reduce stress, and help preserve generational wealth.

Workplace Benefits That Can Lighten the Load
Some caregivers don’t realize their workplace benefits may include estate planning and
caregiving resources:

  • Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) often include free or discounted legal consultations, wills, durable powers of attorney, advance directives, or answering estate questions.
  • Group legal plans may cover probate guidance and deed issues.

A quick call to your human resources department can help confirm whether these benefits
are available to you and whether they extend to loved ones in your care.

How to Prevent Family Conflict Before It Starts
Families often postpone estate planning for many reasons—believing their estate falls
below the federal exemption limit, assuming there will be time later, avoiding difficult end-of-
life conversations, or relying too heavily on verbal agreements. Yet without clear legal
documents, families face a higher risk of misunderstandings and costly disputes, particularly in
blended families. Estate planning is essential not only to preserve wealth but also to ensure
proper care for loved ones who may face advanced care, disability, or special needs.

By documenting decisions and discussing them openly, caregivers can help prevent
family conflicts, preserve wealth, and protect relationships.

Three Things You Can Do Today

  1. Start the conversation and gather documents. Make a list of your loved one’s
    assets and note how each is titled and who is listed as a beneficiary. Collect all your
    loved one’s estate planning documents, including the will and trust.
  2. Use trusted legal resources. Explore your workplace employee benefits, meet with a
    local estate planning or elder law attorney, or attend free estate planning clinics such
    as those offered by MVLS. Only an attorney should draft a will or trust.
  3. Work with a Certified Financial Planner™ professional. A planner can provide
    you with the clarity, structure, and support needed to turn those goals into a lasting
    strategy for protecting and preserving generational housing wealth.

Protecting Legacy, Not Creating Liability
For caregivers, preserving housing wealth is not only about money; it’s about keeping
families rooted, maintaining stability, and honoring the sacrifices of earlier generations. Without
planning, even well-intentioned families can lose property due to preventable obstacles, such as
tangled titles, overlooked deeds, or costly legal disputes.

The good news is that resources already exist. Community legal aid, supportive workplace
benefits, and trusted advisors can help caregivers put protective measures in place. Maryland’s
recent reforms show progress, but broader access to tools like beneficiary deeds would make
safeguarding property even more attainable.

As the Baby Boomer generation enters advanced age, the window for proactive planning
is narrowing. Taking steps now—before illness or incapacity—ensures that homes and land
remain sources of security for loved ones, rather than sources of stress.

For a practical starting point, explore our caregiver resource: Family Financial
Caregiver Checklist: Know Every Asset Your Loved One Owns.
Family Financial Caregiver
Checklist – Know Every Asset Your Loved One Owns

About Parker Financial, LLC
Parker Financial, LLC is an independent, fee-only Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) in the
state of Maryland. Founded by Christine M. Parker, CFP®, APMA™, CRPC™, CSRIC®, a Wealth Advisor for Family Financial Caregivers.

This article is meant for educational and informational purposes only and should not be
considered legal, tax, or personalized financial advice. Please consult your professional advisers
before making any financial decisions.

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Come from a Place of Love When Caring for Those with Dementia

Demenita Care Blog HeaderThe newly released 2023 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures Special Report by the Alzheimer’s Association highlights the disease’s troubling projected growth. Nationally, there are more than six million Americans living with Alzheimer’s Dementia. That number is on pace to more than double to 13 million by the year 2050. Unfortunately, things do not appear any better from a local level. The number of Marylanders with the disease is on pace to grow by nearly 20% from 2020 to 2025. Next door in Delaware, that number is 21%. In Virginia, it’s over 26%. 

While these trends have tremendous implications for the nation’s healthcare policy, facilities and resources, they also present an unpleasant eventuality for many of us – a future caring for a loved one suffering from dementia. 

There are no easy diseases when it comes to having a loved one afflicted with a life-threatening condition. Any debilitating affliction that diminishes the life of someone you care about is a terrible burden. That said, dementia is an incredibly cruel disease that robs us of our loved one’s personality and essence before claiming their body. It turns spouses into strangers, best friends into afterthoughts and children into unwanted visitors. And left in its wake is a person who is scared, frustrated, confused and, in many ways, alone, surrounded by loved ones who share all of those same feelings. 

Despite the rollercoaster of emotions you may experience when caring for someone with dementia, it’s important to approach the situation with a calm demeanor, a sound plan and plenty of love. While it may seem prudent and safe to help them as much as possible, let them be somewhat self-sufficient. Treating a loved one as if they’re completely helpless can exacerbate their condition and leave them less connected to their surroundings. 

It’s also important to speak to them like their adults, not children. And while it’s helpful to talk at a slightly slower pace and give them more time to respond, always remain respectful, as that will encourage them to engage more. Speaking of a slower pace, it’s also good to walk and act at a slower pace so your loved one doesn’t feel rushed or fall behind. 

As you care for a loved one with dementia, you must be realistic and honest about your ability to look after them. While you undoubtedly have their best interests at heart and give them the finest care you possibly can, it may not be enough. And if that happens, you must not feel shame, guilt or any negativity about your attempts to care for them. Dementia is an incredibly difficult disease to treat, which almost always requires the help of professional caregivers. With each case being as unique as the loved one it afflicts, knowing how much or how little care to give is an immense challenge.

That’s why we at Sagepoint Senior Living offer such a wide range of care options for those with Alzheimer’s disease or suffering from dementia. Sometimes people in the early stages of the disease only need a little assistance around the house, like meal preparation or doing a load of laundry. As their condition changes, so can their care. We offer adult day services, assisted living, memory care and everything in between – all specifically tailored to the specific needs of your loved one. 

With the growing number of people being diagnosed with dementia by the year, the likelihood that you will care for a loved one with this horrible disease is also growing. Please, follow the advice above. Stay patient and loving with them; after all, if this journey is frustrating, scary and confusing for you, imagine what it must be like for them. 

Be strong for them. Remember them as they were, and love them as such. It may not save them from Alzheimer’s, but it may make their time with you more special and rewarding.

Senior Care Products That Can Save The Day

Helpful Senior Care Products

As our seniors age, how we support them will need to grow and change with them. You may find your loved one needing to apply different techniques in order to overcome certain challenges in their daily routines. Every individual has their own unique set of skills and personal obstacles that they face, so something that has worked well for others may not be as helpful for you and your elderly loved ones. But luckily there is a large range of senior care products available on the market, and you’ll surely be able to find a few that could positively impact their everyday experiences and overall lifestyle.


Taking Pills on Time

Is taking pills a crucial part of your senior’s routine? For many conditions, the appropriate and regular use of prescribed medications is essential to maximizing health and reducing uncomfortable or even painful symptoms. Often, a senior will have a number of medications to keep track of, sometimes at different times or multiple times a day. Following such a strict regimen would be difficult for anyone to follow, but for seniors with memory impairments it can be especially frustrating. These pill reminder devices range from simple to complex with talking, beeping or flashing systems. But one thing these helpful senior care products have in common is streamlining an essential part of your senior’s life by giving them better control over this daily task.

 


Shower Assistance

Shower time can easily be one of the most challenging — and dangerous — activities for elderly individuals. As your loved ones age, you might find yourself needing to make additional accommodations for their bathing needs. And seniors can range in the level of assistance needed for this activity. Some may need additional devices installed in their shower. Others may require options that can get them clean without the unnecessary risk of using a traditional shower or tub. Regardless of where your senior is on that spectrum, there are a number of senior care products available that promise a safer experience when getting clean.

 


Staying Connected

No matter what stage of life you’re in, communication is always key. This is especially true between elderly individuals and their loved ones or caregivers. Even if it’s not possible to have someone with your senior at all times, you can easily make sure they are better-equipped for these moments alone. While modern technology can be incredibly useful for communication, sometimes your best bet will be to provide a simpler, more instinctive contraption. Many senior care communication devices have only a few buttons, but this is enough for them to be able to request care or signal for help in case of an emergency. Other tools may have been developed to monitor babies, but can easily be repurposed effectively for more vigilant senior care. Regardless of what you select to communicate with your loved one, you’ll be able to rest a little easier knowing that you have a system in place for communication. 

 

Have questions? Sagepoint Advisors are ready to help you understand your options and provide you with all of the information you need to make decisions. Give us a call today at 301.934.0222.

 

 

You’re Not Just ‘Growing Old’ If This Happens To You

Elderly woman sadly looking out the window, a black-and-white ph



When Dr. Christopher Callahan examines older patients, he often hears a similar refrain.

“I’m tired, doctor. It’s hard to get up and about. I’ve been feeling kind of down, but I know I’m getting old and I just have to live with it.”

This fatalistic stance relies on widely-held but mistaken assumptions about what constitutes “normal aging.”

In fact, fatigue, weakness and depression, among several other common concerns, aren’t to-be-expected consequences of growing older, said Callahan, director of the Center for Aging Research at Indiana University’s School of Medicine.

Instead, they’re a signal that something is wrong and a medical evaluation is in order.

“People have a perception, promulgated by our culture, that aging equals decline,” said Dr. Jeanne Wei, a geriatrician who directs the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

“That’s just wrong,” Wei said. Many older adults remain in good health for a long time and “we’re lucky to live in an age when many remedies are available.”

Of course, peoples’ bodies do change as they get on in years. But this is a gradual process. If you suddenly find your thinking is cloudy and your memory unreliable, if you’re overcome by dizziness and your balance is out of whack, if you find yourself tossing and turning at night and running urgently to the bathroom, don’t chalk it up to normal aging.

Go see your physician. The earlier you identify and deal with these problems, the better. Here are four common concerns that should spark attention — only a partial list of issues that can arise:

 
Fatigue. You have no energy. You’re tired all the time.

Don’t underestimate the impact: Chronically weary older adults are at risk of losing their independence and becoming socially isolated.

Nearly one-third of adults age 51 and older experience fatigue, according to a 2010 study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.  (Other estimates are lower.) There are plenty of potential culprits. Medications for blood pressure, sleep problems, pain and gastrointestinal reflux can induce fatigue, as can infections, conditions such as arthritis, an underactive thyroid, poor nutrition and alcohol use.

All can be addressed, doctors say. Perhaps most important is ensuring that older adults remain physically active and don’t become sedentary.

“If someone comes into my office walking at a snail’s pace and tells me ‘I’m old; I’m just slowing down,’ I’m like no, that isn’t right,” said Dr. Lee Ann Lindquist, a professor of geriatrics at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

“You need to start moving around more, get physical therapy or occupational therapy and push yourself to do just a little bit more every day.”

 
Appetite loss. You don’t feel like eating and you’ve been losing weight.

This puts you at risk of developing nutritional deficiencies and frailty and raises the prospect of an earlier-than-expected death. Between 15 and 30 percent of older adults are believed to have what’s known as the “anorexia of aging.”

Physical changes associated with aging — notably a reduced sense of vision, taste and smell, which make food attractive — can contribute. So can other conditions: decreased saliva production (a medication-induced problem that affects about one-third of older adults); constipation (affecting up to 40 percent of seniors); depression; social isolation (people don’t like to eat alone); dental problems; illnesses and infections; and medications (which can cause nausea or reduced taste and smell).

If you had a pretty good appetite before and that changed, pay attention, said Dr. Lucy Guerra, director of general internal medicine at the University of South Florida.

Treating dental problems and other conditions, adding spices to food, adjusting medications and sharing meals with others can all make a difference.

 
Depression. You’re sad, apathetic and irritable for weeks or months at a time.

Depression in later life has profound consequences, compounding the effects of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, leading to disability, affecting cognition and, in extreme cases, resulting in suicide.

A half century ago, it was believed “melancholia” was common in later life and that seniors naturally withdrew from the world as they understood their days were limited, Callahan explained. Now, it’s known this isn’t so. Researchers have shown that older adults tend to be happier than other age groups: only 15 percent have major depression or minor variants.

Late-life depression is typically associated with a serious illness such as diabetes, cancer, arthritis or stroke; deteriorating hearing or vision; and life changes such as retirement or the loss of a spouse. While grief is normal, sadness that doesn’t go away and that’s accompanied by apathy, withdrawal from social activities, disturbed sleep and self-neglect is not, Callahan said.

With treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy and anti-depressants, 50 to 80 percent of seniors can expect to recover.

 
Weakness. You can’t rise easily from a chair, screw the top off a jar, or lift a can from the pantry shelf.

You may have sarcopenia — a notable loss of muscle mass and strength that affects about 10 percent of adults over the age of 60. If untreated, sarcopenia will affect your balance, mobility and stamina and raise the risk of falling, becoming frail and losing independence.

Age-related muscle atrophy, which begins when people reach their 40s and accelerates when they’re in their 70s, is part of the problem.  Muscle strength declines even more rapidly — slipping about 15 percent per decade, starting at around age 50.

The solution: exercise, including resistance and strength training exercises and good nutrition, including getting adequate amounts of protein. Other causes of weakness can include inflammation, hormonal changes, infections and problems with the nervous system.

Watch for sudden changes. “If you’re not as strong as you were yesterday, that’s not right,” Wei said. Also, watch for weakness only on one side, especially if it’s accompanied by speech or vision changes.

Taking steps to address weakness doesn’t mean you’ll have the same strength and endurance as when you were in your 20s or 30s. But it may mean doctors catch a serious or preventable problem early on and forestall further decline.

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When an Elderly Loved One Needs Extra Help



Family members of aging adults typically travel one of two paths to becoming a caregiver: the sudden sprint, or the gradual march.

The sudden sprint towards providing care for a loved one is often set off by an unexpected event—a stroke, a fall, complications from surgery—which acts as a catalyst, escalating your family member’s care needs practically overnight.

The gradual march in the direction of caregiving is less abrupt. You can’t say exactly when it began, but you’ve started noticing little changes in how your family member interacts with the world around them. Perhaps they’re getting lost while driving to the grocery store, maybe they’re having trouble keeping track of their medications, or balancing their checkbook—tasks they’ve performed countless times over the years, without any problems.

If an aging family member is consistently exhibiting these kinds of behaviors, they may soon be in need of extra care.

Here are 22 common signs your loved one may need extra help:
 

Physical

Fluctuating weight
Balance problems
Poor hygiene
Sleeping too much or too little
Unexplained burns and bruises (especially on the legs and arms)

Home Environment

Unkempt yard
Unusual carpet stains
Excessive clutter (several weeks’ worth of newspapers, piles of junk mail)
Unusual odors (urine, garbage)
Not enough food in the house
Failure to turn off stove, or water after use

Emotional

Mood swings
Abusive behavior (most likely verbal)
Lack of motivation
Uncharacteristically anti-social behavior

Cognitive

Confusion
Memory loss
Repetition
Hallucinations

Other

Dents and scratches on the car
Unfilled or untaken prescriptions
Unpaid bills

Whether these problems appear suddenly or slowly, they are all warning signs that indicate your loved one is having trouble attending to their own needs.

Being able to identify the presence of these red flags as soon as possible will enable you, your aging loved one, and the rest of your family to come up with a plan that ensures everyone’s needs get met.
 

Normal Aging, or Alzheimer’s Disease: What’s the Difference?

As a loved one ages, one of the questions that may come up for you and your family is how to tell the difference between the cognitive changes associated with “normal aging,” and those that could signal serious health conditions, such as dementia.

At this time, there’s no definitive way to distinguish between benign memory slips, Alzheimer’s, or other forms of dementia, but it may help to consider this as a general rule of thumb: occasionally misplacing the car keys is normal, while forgetting what to do with them is not.

Here are a few additional indicators that your loved one’s cognitive troubles may be caused by something more serious than the simple advance of age:

  • Bad judgment (poor financial decisions, public outbursts)
  • Movement issues (stiff movements, hunched posture)
  • Loss of inhibition (saying or doing socially inappropriate things)
  • Language problems (can’t form coherent sentences)
  • Hallucinations and delusions (seeing things that aren’t really there)
  • Trouble performing familiar tasks (can’t remember how to get to the doctor’s office)
  • Memory loss that interrupts daily life (regularly forgets recent conversations)

Ultimately, it’s up to you and your family to determine if, and when, a loved one’s cognitive issues warrant investigation by a medical professional.

 
Provided courtesy of AgingCare.com, the go-to destination for family caregivers. AgingCare.com offers resources and support for those taking care of elderly parents. This article is one of a series of articles included in the eBook, Family Caring for Family. Download your free copy at www.AgingCare.com/ebook.

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A Crash Course on Medicare



Has your loved one recently celebrated their 65th birthday? If so, then they now qualify for Medicare. Keep reading for a crash course on a few facts that you need to know about this program.

Medicare Eligibility is not Based on Income

Unlike Medicaid which is made available to individuals whose income falls below a certain income level, eligibility for Medicare does not depend on income. Medicaid is a fully federally funded program, whereas Medicare is paid for partly by Social Security and Medicaid taxes, partly by the premiums that people with Medicare pay, and partly by the federal budget. If you are age 65 or older, under 65 and depend on Social Security Disability Insurance, or have End-Stage Renal Disease, then you are eligible for Medicare.

There Are Four Different Plans

Once you qualify for Medicare, you have a range of plans available to you, and each plan offers different benefits. Original Medicare is comprised of Parts A and B. Once you turn 65, you’ll automatically be enrolled into Part A, which is a free program as long as either you or your spouse paid the Medicare payroll tax for at least a decade. Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient services, and there is an income-based component in determining cost. Part C, also called Medicare Advantage, is a private insurance option that covers the benefits of Parts A and B. Part D is a prescription drug plan that offers coverage for prescription medications.

You May Need Supplemental Insurance…But You May Not

Medicare is a wonderful program, but it doesn’t cover everything. Depending on your loved one’s healthcare needs, they may find themselves overwhelmed with copayments and deductibles. This is where supplemental insurance, or Medigap, comes into play. Medigap policies are sold by private insurance companies and mainly cover Medicare deductibles. Medigap can only be used alongside Parts A and B, so if you’re enrolled in Part C, you’ll need to drop out before your Medigap coverage begins.

Many seniors find that any savings that they get with a Medigap plan are offset by the monthly premiums, which can be several hundred dollars. For that reason, most find that unless they’re making weekly trips to the doctor’s office for expensive tests and lab work, Medicare sufficiently covers their needs.

There Are Several Enrollment Periods

When you turn 65, the government will send out an eligibility notice. If you’re already getting Social Security benefits, you’ll automatically be enrolled; otherwise, you’ll need to send in your application by the due date. If you don’t sign up for Part B during that time, you’ll have an opportunity to during the enrollment period that runs from the first of the year through March 31. However, you’ll pay a 10% penalty for every 12-month period that you delay in signing up for Part B, unless you are still employed.

If you are employed, you’ll have an 8-month period after you retire to apply for Part B without penalty. If you should miss that enrollment period, then you’ll need to wait for the open enrollment period, which runs every year from October 15 through December 7. During this time, you can also enroll in Parts C and D.

Medicare is a wonderful program that ensures that seniors are able to receive quality healthcare after they retire. To learn more about the program and the options available, visit the Medicare website.

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Four Areas to Observe When Visiting Senior Loved Ones



As we’re approaching the holiday season, you may have opportunities over the upcoming months to visit family. These reunions often showcase how aging parents and other loved ones have changed over the course of the year. This time together can provide a wonderful chance for you to evaluate their health and quality of life and to recognize if any changes need to be made.

Keep reading to learn how to identify the common issues that your senior loved one may be facing.

General Health

Unfortunately, chronic health problems among seniors are not unusual. While aches and pains are often a part of the aging process, there are things to watch for, such as:

    • Frequent trips to the emergency room
    • Noticeable weight loss
    • Lack of appetite

If you notice any of these signs that your loved one’s general health is declining, then you may want to accompany them on their next visit to their doctor or talk to someone who can help you determine whether changes in your loved one’s care should be made.

Activities of Daily Living

Daily living activities are everyday tasks that must get done, whether we do them ourselves or have someone assist us with them. From basic tasks (bathing and grooming, eating, getting around the home and using the toilet) to more complex tasks (money management, transportation, housekeeping duties and shopping), there are a range of self-care activities that must be taken care of to ensure a high quality of life.

If you have the opportunity to visit a senior loved one over the coming months, try to take a discreet inventory of their food pantry and refrigerator, particularly if they live alone. Keep an ear out for any clues that they are struggling financially or that they have difficulty getting around town.

Mood and Mental Health

Has your loved one’s personality changed drastically since your last visit? Do you detect a hint of depression or anxiety that wasn’t there before, or do they express frustration over memory problems?

Cognitive changes are normal in older adults, and depression often accompanies traumatic events, such as the loss of a spouse or a change in their living arrangements. If your loved one seems disengaged or if their behavior is unusual, then it may be time to have a conversation with their doctor.

Safety

Most seniors wish to maintain their privacy and independence for as long as possible; unfortunately, this is often done at the expense of their safety and wellbeing. Here are a few areas of safety to watch for:

    • Are they managing their money well? Do they have the ability to buy what they need, and are you worried about them falling for scams?
    • Do they wander or get lost?
    • Have they had changes in memory or judgement that may jeopardize their safety?
    • Do they manage their medications well (taking the right pills at the right times, properly measuring dosage, etc.)?
    • Have they had car accidents or close calls?
    • Have they had changes in balance or ability? Are they prone to falls, or have they had frequent visits to the ER?
    • Is their home a safe environment with a proper heating and cooling system, grab bars and other accessibility aids?

Oftentimes, simple changes can be made to offset the challenges that come with aging, such as showing your senior loved one how to buy groceries and other necessities online, making their home more accessible or having a caregiver visit a few times a week. By observing your senior loved one this holiday season, you can ensure that they continue to enjoy a high quality of life.

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October is National Physical Therapy Month

 

October is National Physical Therapy Month and the perfect time to focus on the benefits of physical therapy, especially for seniors. Physical therapy provides a fantastic way for seniors to recover from injuries and continue to enjoy optimal health and quality of life. Keep reading to learn more about the many benefits of physical therapy.

Why Do We Need Physical Therapy

From providing relief for chronic pain and arthritis to encouraging healing from injuries and surgeries, physical therapy is an effective way to manage pain without using opioids, which often have unpleasant or even dangerous side effects. However, even if your senior loved one hasn’t experienced chronic pain or a major surgery, physical therapy is still a great way to ensure that they maintain their fitness level as they age, preventing injuries and perhaps even avoiding surgeries. For many seniors, it is an effective way to gain strength and balance, as well as a renewed sense of confidence. Physical therapy can help ensure that your senior loved one can continue to live an independent life. Even seniors that have a low activity level can benefit from a physical therapy regimen.

The aging process has an abundance of normal physical changes, such as bone loss, loss of balance and decreased mobility. Taking on a new exercise program can feel like a daunting – or even unsafe – task for seniors. A physical therapist can design a gentle at-home physical therapy regimen that promotes and builds flexibility, balance and mobility.

Fitness Tips for Seniors

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, working with a physical therapist can help seniors prevent a wide range of concerns and health problems, such as obesity, injuries from over-exercising and loss of balance, muscle mass and flexibility. Getting older doesn’t mean that your senior loved one has to succumb to a sedentary lifestyle, and staying fit should be a normal, intentional part of their daily routine. Here are a few fitness tips for seniors who want to remain active.

    • Pay attention to your body. It’s okay to challenge your body, but you should not exercise at a level that feels overly exerting.
    • Warm up and cool down before exercise. It is important for seniors to prepare their bodies before working out, and it’s necessary to ensure that the heart rate returns to normal after the workout is complete.
    • Drink plenty of water. Make an effort to stay hydrated; even if you don’t feel thirsty, it’s important to drink water during exercise.
    • Pay attention to the weather. Do not exercise outdoors if it is extremely hot or extremely cold.
    • Modify your activities as necessary. Even if you have a good level of overall fitness, you may have to modify your exercise routine as you age. For example, runners may develop knee problems, requiring them to switch to a lower impact form of exercise.
    • Incorporate a variety of exercises. Your exercise routine should include light strength training and promote cardiovascular health, flexibility and balance.

Physical therapy provides a wonderful non-invasive alternative for pain management. Working with a physical therapist can help your senior loved one recover from hospitalizations, enjoy relief from chronic pain and maintain their independence. Interested in learning about Sagepoint Rehabilitation? Click here.

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Senior Flu Prevention



No matter your age, getting the flu is no fun. Each year, between 5 and 20 percent of adults are diagnosed with the flu. Flu season is generally considered to be between the months of December and March, but outbreaks can happen as early as October and as late into the year as May. While most healthy adults fare just fine, older adults, especially those with additional health concerns, have an increased likelihood of experiencing complications with the virus. They may have to endure a hospital stay, and for some, the flu can even be fatal. Fortunately, there are several measures that you can take to help both yourself and your senior loved one stay well. As we’re heading into flu season, follow these tips to help protect your senior loved one from viruses.

Get Vaccinated 

They say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and when it comes to flu prevention, that is certainly true. This year, there will be approximately 180 million flu vaccines available in the country. In addition to being readily available at your doctor’s office, flu vaccines are also commonly available at pharmacies, college health centers, health departments and even some supermarkets and big box stores. Although receiving the flu vaccine doesn’t guarantee that you won’t get sick, it does go a long way in protecting you from the season’s most common strains. Some places even offer a flu vaccine that is formulated specifically for seniors. It contains four times the concentration of the active ingredient, providing a better immune response for those who have weakened immune systems. Each year has a new flu shot to combat that season’s most common strains, so even if you and your senior loved one received last year’s flu vaccine, it’s important to receive this year’s as well.

In addition to getting the flu vaccine, seniors should also receive pneumococcal vaccines. These vaccines provide protection against illnesses and complications that often accompany the flu virus, including pneumonia, meningitis and bloodstream infections.

Practice Good Health Habits

Especially if your senior loved one lives in a community setting, attends an adult day center or volunteers in the community, exposure to the flu virus may be inevitable. By taking the time to practice good health habits, they can stop germs. Avoid close contact with people that you know are sick, and if you get sick, keep your distance from others. The flu virus is spread through droplets, so when coughing or sneezing, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue. Germs can also hang out on door knobs, light switches, remote controls and other commonly handled items, so make a habit of washing your hands often, and avoid touching your face as much as possible.

Seek Medical Help Right Away

If in spite of their best efforts, your senior loved one does contract the flu virus, it’s important that they seek medical help right away. In addition to monitoring their condition, their medical care provider can administer antiviral medications from keeping their illness from worsening.

You may not be able to completely avoid exposure to the flu virus as the cooler months approach, but by taking these simple measures, you can ensure that you and your loved one are as protected as possible from the flu and its complications.

 

 

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What Is a Living Will?



If you’re like most people, you’re familiar with the purpose of a last will and testament. This document provides a comprehensive outline that expresses your preferences after you have died. Whether you’ve created one or not (only about 50% of adults have), you’re probably aware that at some point you will die, and that you can save your loved ones a lot of stress by providing this final piece of guidance.

As uncomfortable as many of us are with the thought of our own deaths, we’re even more squeamish thinking about the days and weeks leading up to our final breaths. However, just like your final will and testament is designed to help your loved ones by outlining your wishes after your death, a living will guides your loved ones through the difficult decisions that must be made during situations in which you are unable to communicate.

Keeping reading to learn more about living wills and how to create your own.

What Information Does a Living Will Provide?

Living wills, also known as advance directives, range from very specific to very general. However, wills that only provide general information may not offer sufficient direction and cause unnecessary confusion and friction between your healthcare providers and your loved ones. For this reason, living wills that provide specific information are preferred. Your living will should contain carefully thought out and informed instructions that are based on communication between you and your physician before a medical crisis occurs.

Since living wills were first drafted in the 1960’s, medical information and technology has grown exponentially. Today’s living wills focus less on specific treatments and medical procedures and more on the patient’s personal goals and their preferred health outcomes.

A living will can:

  • Discuss pain management and palliative care
  • Designate who will make medical decisions on your behalf
  • Outline what kind of life support treatment that you want (or don’t want)
  • Provide instructions for personal grooming and bathing
  • Describe what type of religious, spiritual or emotional support you want
  • Detail funeral or memorial service preferences

Making Your Living Will (And Encouraging Your Senior Loved One to Do the Same)

While less than half of adults have a living will, a majority of those that do are seniors. However, if your senior loved one has not created one, the best way to encourage them to do so is to make one yourself. This is a great way to demonstrate that you’re not just asking them to create one because you’re concerned about their health, but that it’s simply the responsible thing to do.

While a lawyer can assist you in creating a living will, you do not need to hire one for your document to be legally valid. Every state has its own criteria for making a living will, so be sure to find one that meets your state’s requirements. A user-friendly advance directive form and instructions valid in Maryland can be found below. Living will forms can also be found at your doctor’s office, local hospitals or senior centers. There is also software available to help you draft your living will. Once you have completed it, you will need to sign it and have it signed by two witnesses. You should give one copy of your living will to your doctor, and you should make other copies to give to those close to you to have on hand should the need arise.

Creating a living will is a simple way to prevent unnecessary stress for your loved ones while ensuring that your wishes are carried out, even if you are not able to communicate them.

 Maryland Attorney General Advance Directive Form and Instructions

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