Elder Law and 529 College Savings Plans. How does that affect me?

We plan and God laughs.  

Intentions are quickly dashed with diagnosis of Alzheimer's.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11142/1148064-28-0.stm

This article makes a strong case to constantly review and work with professionals who understand elder law, financial products, and their consequences.

Please share your concerns, discussions with family members on this issue, and resolutions.  Thank you!

Why I Love My Doctor- We're Not Dead Yet

When I retired, I moved back to the area where my children grew up so that I could be closer to my family. As such, I had to go through the motions of changing everything. I changed doctors, most notably. I spend about 3 to 5 hours a month at the doctor, which doesn't sound like a lot but it sure isn't a walk in the park. Since I'm there a lot for checkups and other tests, I need a doctor that I feel comfortable with and can trust. I made the mistake of hiring the first doctor that I found, and quickly realized that I needed a better solution. The mistake? Let me explain.


I had been spending the day with my daughter, who just insisted on riding along with me to my appointment. She likely wanted to see and hear for herself that I was (or was not, perhaps) healthy. So I conceded and she came along. Mind you, this was only the second time I had been to see this doctor. I could have been his mother, too. He was fresh out of medical school and you could tell. But that day, it was painfully obvious that he'd missed the course on bedside manner and patient communication.

He came into the room, talked to me, talked to my daughter, and went about his business. As the appointment went on, I began to notice that he spent far more time talking ABOUT me to my daughter, as if I wasn't even there. After about 20 minutes, I was exasperated. I looked him straight in the face, excused myself, and said

"I'm not dead yet, you know."

He got a startled look on his face, and chuckled, as if I was joking before walking out of the room. In the process of finding my current doctor, whom I love dearly, I went through about 5 or 6 who all did the same thing. I made it a pet project, of sorts, and took my daughter along just to prove a point: doctors tend to treat older people like children who can't understand them. We understand just fine. As a health advocate, I am advocating for better education on patient communication. We ARE the patients, after all.

Contributed by Mary Albert, a blogger for a senior lifestyle web site that provides advice for the 55+ age group as well as medical alert reviews

Medicaid Dilemma

This article www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/6/article/45169 is a blatant reminder that we all need to have our voices heard on healthcare reform. Home health care agencies not accepting Medicaid patients seems like discrimination to me. As close as this family appears, everyone needs respite and professional support in caring for a loved one.

What of elders who want to remain in their homes and qualify for Medicaid? What of those elders who have managed to live in senior communities with the help of their children until constant price increases made that impossible and now need to live with a family member in their mid-90s?

One of the chapter contributors for a gerontology text I am co-authoring had to step down from her obligation. As a leader in the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers this business owner and professional care manager is adding to the voices of healthcare reform. What are the challenges you are witnessing in your family, your community?

Simultaneous Financial Struggles

The recent release "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" illustrates behavior when financial struggles simultaneously befall two generations. A dependent mother whose real estate income is depleted in a challenging economy turns to her son when he is enmeshed in high-stakes brokering. Of course, Hollywood solved the challenge in the next half hour.

Hollywood's glamorous resoltutions differ from real-life scenarios that have temporary remedies affected by layoffs, healthcare coverage or lack of, housing alternatives, and divorce that halves emotional, physical, and financial support. I have been fortunate to know three physicians in the past 20 years who treat body, mind, and spirit sensing that physical concerns can stem from emotional concerns. Extended and daily caregiving can cause physical damage to caregivers. How many adult children share their physical concerns with an aging parent(s)...or financial challenges, if this has not been a subject between them until they come to an end of resources?


In her book, "You Mean I Have To Look At The Body?: Stories of Dying and Living", retired minister Marcia Cham confronts her own fear of death through her pastoral experiences. Her journey, colored by humor, respectful irreverence, and honesty, helps others open dialogue about end-of-life issues.

I am eager to hear about your caregiving journey whether you are in the throes or just beginning.

Everyone Needs An Advocate

When I went for an annual checkup at a hospital-based clinic 1 1/2 hours from my home, I was fortunate enough to be accompanied by a good friend. I saw a woman staring at the office roster, unsure of the next direction in the maze to turn. A warm "Follow-me" relaxed her and replaced the angst of my appointment with gratitude that I could help someone else. Though disappointed the specialist did not have recent records I was assured were faxed a month ago, she conducted simple neurological tests that left me with renewed confidence. What style of communication has affected the way or you healthcare professional are perceived?