Aging

Simple trick to help shut-in parents

Simple trick to help shut-in parents

Mary, a widow, lives alone in the home she has owned for 52 years. She can cook, clean the house, and care for herself. But she no longer drives because of failing eyesight, and there are no stores within walking distance. Mary wants to stay in her home as long as...

Social Security claiming strategies to change within 6 months

When Congress passed the new budget deal October 30, it also included changes to the rules for claiming Social Security benefits. The new rules will end a popular claiming strategy that allowed claimants to receive more in benefits over their lifetimes. The change...

“myRA” announced to boost retirement savings

In a visit to the Pittsburgh area last week, President Obama signed a presidential order directing the Treasury Department to create “myRA,” a new vehicle for retirement savings. The proposal was originally announced in the State of the Union address to...

“Assisted living” in Pennsylvania: terminology confusion ahead

What does “assisted living” mean in Pennsylvania now? It’s getting harder for consumers to know. When I have visited assisted living facilities in the past year, I have been struck by the wide variation in the services offered. One place may offer a narrow range...

Doctors: Can you tell the family when a patient needs a guardian?

Let’s suppose you are a doctor, or other similar health care provider. Every time you see your patient Joe his memory has worsened. Joe struggles to recall whether he took his medications this morning, and if so, what they were. He used to ask about your...