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  Last Updated: 12/8/2009 4:20:35 PM Most of the discussion about health reform has centered around issues like the “public option” and abortion restrictions. But buried in both the House and Senate reform bills are important provisions that would make long-term care more affordable, help the elderly and disabled remain at home rather than move Read Full Article

  Last Updated: 11/18/2009 8:01:04 AM It is that time of year again — time to reassess whether your Medicare plan is working for you. Medicare's open enrollment period began November 15 and continues until midnight December 31. During this period, you may enroll in a Medicare Part D (prescription drug) plan or, if you Read Full Article

  Last Updated: 9/11/2009 3:25:21 PM Tax-free college savings plans and prepaid tuition programs — so-called 529 plans — can be used to buy computer equipment and services for an eligible student during 2009 and 2010. The change was part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), aka the Stimulus Bill, enacted earlier this Read Full Article

  Last Updated: 9/28/2009 10:44:54 AM Trust protectors — long popular in offshore trusts set up by high rollers — are now gaining popularity in trusts established here in the U.S. by less affluent folks. A trust protector is someone who is appointed to watch over a trust that will be in effect for a Read Full Article

  Last Updated: 9/28/2009 10:35:50 AM Don Silver. A Parent’s Guide to Wills & Trusts: For Grandparents, Too. Adams-Hall Publishing. Los Angeles, CA. 2008. 248 pages. $19.95 from Amazon (click on book to order) Getting started on an estate plan can be overwhelming. A Parent’s Guide to Wills & Trusts is an easy-to-understand overview of Read Full Article

  Last Updated: 9/28/2009 5:51:06 PM Caring for a family member is hard work, and without support, caregivers can easily get burnt out or overwhelmed. However, there is help available for caregivers if they know where to look. The National Family Caregiver Support Program is a federal initiative that provides money to states to fund Read Full Article

  Last Updated: 9/28/2009 3:07:12 PM A proposal to establish a new national long-term care insurance program that would offer basic help to the elderly and disabled is under attack by the insurance industry. Although the proposed program is still included in major health reform bills in both the House and Senate, it is unclear Read Full Article

  Last Updated: 10/28/2009 10:34:11 AM If you are over 65 and preparing to move to another county or state, be sure to add “check Medicare plan” to your to-do list. You need to make sure your Medicare plan will still be in effect after you move. Whether or not your policy will be valid Read Full Article

  Last Updated: 10/19/2009 3:28:06 PM The Internal Revenue Service has announced the 2010 limitations on the deductibility of long-term care insurance premiums from taxes. For the first time, the maximum deductible limit for an individual exceeds $4,000. Premiums for “qualified” (see explanation below) are tax deductible provided that they, along with other unreimbursed medical Read Full Article

  Last Updated: 10/27/2009 1:34:52 PM Vaughn E. James. The Alzheimer’s Advisor: A Caregiver’s Guide to Dealing with the Tough Legal and Practical Issues. AMACOM. New York, NY. 2009. 300 pages. $14.96 from Amazon (click on book to order) Caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease is complicated enough, but often overlooked are the Read Full Article