Blog Archives - Legal Solutions for Seniors

The 3 Major Risk Factors for Alzheimer's Disease

10/29/2015

Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. It is a devastating illness that cannot be prevented, cured or slowed (however, regular exercise throughout life has been proven to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Read more about that here).

Let’s take a closer look at the major factors that influence our susceptibility to developing Alzheimer’s:

1.       Age

Age is certainly the biggest risk factor when it comes to developing Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. In fact, most people who suffer from Alzheimer’s are over the age of 65. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the likelihood of developing the disease doubles every five years after age 65. Unfortunately, no one knows for sure what causes the risk to climb so high as we age.

2.       Family history

Those who have a family member such as a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s has a greater risk of developing the disease. This risk increases with the number of family members who have been diagnosed.

3.       Genetics

Heredity is the third major risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists know that both risk genes and deterministic genes are involved in Alzheimer’s. Risk genes increase the likelihood of developing the disease, while deterministic genes guarantee that the disease will develop. When a person holds deterministic genes, Alzheimer’s symptoms nearly always develop before age 60.

Read more about the risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease on the Alzheimer’s Association website.

Watch: Alzheimer's is Not Normal Aging- and We can Cure it! a TED Talk from Samuel Cohen

10/26/2015

Live to be 100: What's the Secret to Longevity?

10/22/2015

More and more people are living to reach the big triple digit birthday - 100 - meaning they’ve lived through an entire century of world history. These fortunate folks are called centenarians.

According to recent Census Bureau data, the US national centenarian population has grown a whopping 65.8% over the past three decades: from 32,194 people aged 100 and older in 1980 to 53,364 in 2010.

So what’s their secret to such long lives? We have to give some credit for our lengthening lifespans to medical and technological advances, of course. And perhaps the people who live the longest lives simply have a genetic advantage. But here are some things centenarians all have in common:

First, most centenarians are female. In fact, over 80% of people over 100 are women. Part of the reason for this gender trait could be that women have been proven to be more social overall than men. But don’t despair, guys. This brings us to our next point.

Company. Studies have repeatedly shown that staying socially connected boosts health and prolongs life. In fact, the majority of the nation’s oldest citizens live with others. Staying connected with friends and family, joining social clubs, and living in an environment where you’re more likely to encounter others could be the greatest recipe for longevity.

Exercising regularly. There’s no way around it- taking good care of your body is the best way to prolong its shelf life. Many centenarians have reported regular exercise throughout their lives. Not only does a healthy lifestyle boost longevity, it can also prevent the onset of dementia.

Not smoking. Regular or substantial smoking is rare among centenarians. But the good news is, the sooner you quit smoking, the sooner your body will recover. Our bodies are amazing machines; it’s never too late to enjoy the benefits of kicking the habit.

Living in New England or the Midwest. The Northeast and Midwest have proportions of centenarians that are higher than the national average. For whatever reason, the West and South just can’t compete. This difference could be attributed to anything from culture and smoking habits to access to medical care.

Of course, there are always exceptions. Some centenarians claim they’ve never exercised a day in their lives. Some even contribute their longevity to bacon or nightly cocktails. Sure, there are things we can do to be proactive about making sure we live long and healthy lives. But for now, the secret to longevity remains a secret.

Watch: 103-Year-Old Wonder Woman Celebrates Birthday

10/19/2015

Mary is an inspiration to all those who meet her. Her secret to longevity? She says: "I just stay busy, I guess!" Check in later this week to read our upcoming post on more centenarian's secrets to longevity!

Unsafe Driver: How to Take the Keys From an Aging Parent

10/15/2015

On average, 15 older adults are killed and 586 are injured every day in car crashes in America. Fatal crash rates per mile traveled increase dramatically after age 70, with the highest among drivers age 85 and older.

Asking an aging parent to give up driving is one of the toughest decisions you will make as a caregiver. An aging parent can view your request as an assault on their independence. But if your loved one suffers from a physical or mental condition that affects their ability to drive safely such as vision impairment or worsening dementia, it’s in their best interest (and in the best interest of those sharing the road) to protect them from getting behind the wheel. So what can you do?

First, have a conversation. Consider asking your loved one if they feel safe when they’re driving. Offer them alternative means of transportation, whether that’s public transportation such as a bus, a community ride-share or an independent mobility device such as a scooter. Ask them about their concerns, and listen to what they have to say. Where do they most want to go? What activities would they feel were threatened if they couldn’t drive, and how could you help them find an alternative plan to access those activities?

If your loved one still refuses to give up driving after alternative solutions are offered, consider reaching out to their physician or their optometrist. No one wants to hear that they need to give up driving, but hearing it from a trusted and respected source such as a doctor might help them take it more seriously.

If all else fails, you can take your concerns to the Department of Motor Vehicles. You can report an impaired driver to undergo a driver fitness and medical review. You will need this form, information such as the driver’s full name and date of birth, along with specific information about your concerns. The process is confidential, and the DMV cannot release information on the source or the reason for the report. Your loved one will then undergo a vision test, a written test and an examination drive with an inspector to determine whether their license should be revoked.

The first and best step to keep your loved one from driving is to convince them to give up the car keys voluntarily. If this isn’t possible, as is oftentimes the case, seek help from a third party such as a doctor, lawyer or religious advisor who is respected by your loved one. Although contacting the DMV about reviewing your loved one’s ability to drive may feel like a harsh action to take, just remember that you are taking the necessary action to protect them from the dangers of unsafe driving.

Listen: NPR on America's Retirement Crisis

10/12/2015

"America's retirement statistics are grim: About 40 percent of baby boomers have nothing saved for retirement, about a third of Americans who are currently retired rely on Social Security for almost all of their income, and the outlook for current workers isn't much better. About half of private sector employees have no retirement plan on the job." - Reporter Ina Jaffe

Coffee May Help Relieve Parkinson's Symptoms, Study Finds

10/8/2015

If you’re looking for an excuse to reach for a second cup of Joe, look no further. Coffee has been linked to many health benefits including antioxidant intake, decreased stress, boosted liver health and overall happiness.

But for patients with Parkinson’s disease, a 2012 study published in an online issue of Neurology (the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology) found that daily caffeine intake may benefit movement control.

In the study, half of the subjects with Parkinson’s disease were given a placebo pill and half were given a caffeine pill twice daily, which meant the equivalent of 2 - 4 cups of coffee per day. After six weeks, the subjects that were given caffeine pills reported an improvement in the severity of Parkinson’s symptoms.

The improvement was modest, but worth noting. According to the study’s author, Ronald Postuma, MD, MSc, with McGill University in Montreal and the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, the improvement “may be enough to provide benefit to patients.”

Previous studies have also shown that caffeine intake can help prevent the development of Parkinson’s disease. And to make the beverage even more irresistible, researchers at Seoul National University in South Korea found that sleep-deprived lab rats who were exposed to coffee aromas experienced changes in brain proteins linked to stress. These findings point toward the possibility that just the aroma of these delightful beans could alleviate stress. So wake up and smell the coffee!

Watch: Teen Finally Finds His Voice as a VA Hospital Volunteer

10/5/2015

5 Tips For Choosing the Right Long Term Care Insurance

10/1/2015

An estimated 70% of people over age sixty-five will need long term care. That means that if there are ten old friends at a dinner party, seven of them will probably end up needing to enter a long term care facility. So statistically speaking, planning for the eventuality of long term care is a good idea for everyone. The biggest factor to consider when talking about long term care is Medicaid. Medicaid Planning is appropriate (even urgent) for everyone. Visit our Medicaid Planning page to learn more.

But what about long term care insurance? Even though most people don’t have it, we believe protecting yourself with this kind of insurance is certainly in your best interest. Here are five things to consider when shopping around for the right long term care insurance provider:

1.       Don’t just go for the cheapest option.

The costs of premiums is an important factor when choosing your insurance, but price needs to be balanced with reliability. It’s usually best to buy from a large, dependable carrier with plenty of resources to hold out over the years. You may find the best deal working with an agent who specializes in long term care insurance.

2.       Always, always read the fine print.

Before you commit, familiarize yourself with the definitions and terms of the contract. Make sure you know exactly what your policy covers, and what it does not cover. Most long term care contracts pay benefits only under certain conditions. For example, you may only receive benefits if you become unable to independently perform two out of six basic activities of daily living (such as eating or showering). Make sure you understand the terms of your policy so you can choose the one that’s right for you.

3.       Consider shared benefits.

If you’re married, you may want to ask your insurance agent about purchasing a rider that allows you to share benefits with your spouse. This might just be a cheap way to double the benefits available if one of you needs it down the line. When you purchase policies together, you may even be eligible for a discounted price.

4.       Don’t forget about inflation.

In our business, we see this all the time: older couples who purchased life insurance policies when they were in their twenties. Fast forward sixty years and their policies are worth only $500 each. That figure may have been sufficient in the past, but in today’s market that’s not nearly enough to cover the cost of a funeral. This is a good example of the risks of inflation. Buying inflation protection may seem expensive, but consider this: if you’re purchasing long term care insurance at age 45, you may not need to use it for another 30 years. Talk to your insurance agent about your options.

5.       Don’t wait too long.

To put it bluntly, the older you get the harder and more expensive it becomes to get long term care insurance. The sooner you purchase your policy, the more affordable your premiums are likely to be. When you’re in your 50s, insurance carriers will typically raise premium prices by 3-4% each year you age. Once you hit 60, that figure goes up to a whopping 6% or more increase each year. When you do the math, it pays to lock in your policy as soon as possible.