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Someone mistakenly left the cages open in the "Reptile House" at the local zoo and the place quickly became overrun with slithering snakes.
Frantically, the keeper tried everything, but he couldn't get the snakes back into their cages. Finally, he yelled, "Quick, call a lawyer!"
"A lawyer? Why?"
"We need someone who speaks their language!"
I listened to a interesting report on NPR while I was running this morning. One thing that has intrigued me whenever I work with a family struggling with Alzheimer's is that the person suffering from the disease can remember, with astonishing detail, things that occurred decades ago. But then ask them what they had for breakfast and their completely stumped.
A recent study seems to indicate why. Alzheimer's tends to attack a part of the brain called the "hippocampus" which is located deep within the brain. The new research has revealed that the hippocampus is what you might call the "short-term" storage space for memories. In other words, it holds memories that go back up to three years or so. Then it essentially moves those memories to areas closer to the surface of the brain. I'm sure there are more scientific terms that can be used in this description, but it explains why short-term memories are much more of a problem for Alzheimer's patients than long-term memories. Fascinating stuff!
Click here for the full story.
People who commit to becoming the primary caregiver for a loved one are taking on an enormously important responsibility. To say that such a role takes its toll on the caregiver is an extraordinary understatement. I'm yet to meet a caregiver-client who hasn't mentioned that the responsibilities were well beyond what they ever imagined.
This is a reminder to caregivers that they need to focus as much as possible on themselves as well as their loved one. Otherwise, you simply won't be the best caregiver you can be.
This message was emphasized in a wonderful column by Jane Brody in the New York Times back in November titled, "Caring for Family, Caring for Yourself" and it's worth a read. It reminds the caregiver to do the basics in regards to personal care: take daily, weekly and annual breaks, get some regular exercise (walking is a great workout, and I'm a personal fan of running/jogging), get enough sleep and join a support group.
If you're a caregiver, please check out this article when you get a chance and make sure you don't create a situation where you need your own caregiver at some point!
Many clients ask me whether they should include their funeral instructions in their wills. I always tell them that's a good start, but they need to go beyond that as well.
The problem with stating your wishes in your will is that in most cases, no one looks at the will until sometime after the funeral. At that point, learning your wishes regarding your funeral isn't very helpful.
So by all means, document your funeral instructions in your will, but make sure to follow that up with verbal instructions to close family members and friends which will prompt them to refer to your will before the funeral arrangements are made.
Better yet, consider purchasing a pre-paid funeral contract with the funeral home of your choice. That's a great way to guarantee that your wishes are well known...not only are they in writing, but they're also backed up with some funds! This is also a great tool if you need to spend down your assets for Medicaid planning purposes.
I know, I know...I'm a little late on this since these new figures kicked in on January 1st. But, as they say, better late than never.
The State of Connecticut updates three Medicaid figures every January 1st: (1) The maximum "community spouse protected amount" (CSPA), which is the maximum amount of assets a community spouse can keep while the "sick" spouse is in the nursing home, (2) the minimum CSPA, and (3) the "maximum monthly needs allowance" (MMNA) which is the monthly allowance that the community spouse can receive.
So, here are the new numbers...
Maximum CSPA: $109,560.
Minimum CSPA: $21,912.
Maximum MMNA: $2,739.
By the way, the CSPA issue is a lot more complicated than it seems. But not to fear! A post explaining how the CSPA works is on my blogging to-do list.
How can you tell a lawyer is lying? His lips are moving.
Santa Claus, the tooth fairy, an honest lawyer and an old drunk were walking along when they simultaneously spotted a one hundred-dollar bill on the ground. Which one gets it? The old drunk, of course, since the other three don't exist.
News Flash! The Postal Service was recently forced to recall its new stamp issue. Lawyers were part of the design and the public couldn't figure out which side of the stamp to spit on.
Sorry for not posting this before the long cold snap we just experienced here in New England, but I'd like to urge seniors in the Nutmeg State to learn about "Operation Fuel", which is a state-funded program run by a private, non-profit organization. The program is designed to help seniors pay for their heating costs this winter, including a one-time "energy grant" of up to $500.
Eligibility is based on gross annual household income, liquid assets and a documented crisis. The number of people living in the household determines the income and asset limits. One household member must be at least 65 years old. The program is also known as the Elderly Home Heating Assistance Program (EHHAP).
If you'd like to see if this program can help you out this season you should call 2-1-1 to discuss your eligibility and possible benefits.
Continuing the theme of deeply inspiring seniors this week, please note that there's a very special wedding anniversary coming up in Hugo, Minnesota on February 17th. Clarence and Mayme Vail will be celebrating 83 years of marriage. Clarence is 101 and Mayme is 99 and they only recently moved into a nursing home.
The secret of their long-term marital success? It's pretty simple...patience.
And I hope the Vail's are much better with names than I am, because they have 6 children, 30 grandchildren, 101 great-grandchildren and 40 great-great-grandchildren. Wow.
Congrats to Clarence and Mayme, and I urge them to keep the marital peace for just a couple more years since the world marriage records stands at 85 years!
Just in case you're feeling old and worn-out for whatever reason these days, I'd like to introduce you to Mariam Amash of Israel. She is a robust 120 years old and, as far as anyone knows, the oldest human on the planet. Mariam's birth certificate was issued by the Ottoman Empire and it indicates that she was born in 1888. One of her secrets is eating plenty of vegetables. She has vowed to soldier on for at least another ten years.
Here's a stat that absolutely blows my estate-planning mind: She has no less than 410 descendants spanning over four generations!
You're an inspiration, Mariam! Keep on truckin'!
If Democratic lawmakers and President-ElectBarack Obama get their way then recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) could get a one-time extra SSI payment. The move would come with a $4 billion price tag, but it would help approximately 7 million poor people who are enrolled in the program, many of whom are elderly.
One criticism of last year's round of $600 to $1,200 rebate checks was that many of the recipients simply held onto the money or used it to paid down debt instead of injecting it into the economy through spending. In contrast, SSI recipients remain in poverty and are therefore more likely to spend the extra money on basic needs.
SSI is a government program which provides monthly cash payments to help cover the basics; food, clothing and shelter. Recipients must be 65 or older, blind or disabled. They must also satisfy SSI's income and asset limitations.
Congress hopes to have an economic stimulus bill in front of President Obama for signature by mid-February. Stay tuned...
