Gainesville Florida Estate Planning & Elder Law Blog

Annually, we set aside May to recognize Older Americans. And while this year is no exception, seniors are in our thoughts more than ever in May 2020.

That’s because, as an age group, they are most at risk for severe complications or death from Covid-19.

And while we have all become familiar with the symptoms to look for related to Covid-19 – most commonly fever, insistent cough and shortness of breath – a recent report from Kaiser Health News indicates, there are several atypical symptoms when it comes to older adults.

In fact, the report said seniors may have none of the common symptoms.
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The new year brings many things but unfortunately, among those new year’s gifts was an apparent rash of new efforts by scammers to victimize all of us – and especially our elderly population. This increased effort by scammers seems to manifest in two forms – phone calls and emails.

Sadly, this is big business. Estimated annual losses to scammers range from $2.9 billion to $36.
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We’re down to only a few days before the end of the Medicare Open Enrollment period, which ends, Saturday,  Dec. 7.

Open Enrollment started Oct. 15. If you are eligible for Medicare, and you have not acted yet, you have very little time to take any action during this annual period when you can make adjustments to your Medicare health and drug plans.
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As we age, we begin to suffer from a variety of physical ailments. While there are things that we can do over the years to keep our bodies in the best physical shape possible, age will eventually win the physical battle.

Yet, while physical aging takes its toll, there may be nothing more difficult for our seniors and their loved ones than watching the changes that occur when  the beginnings of memory loss manifest itself in full-blown Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

The exact causes of dementia remain largely unknown, which makes early detection challenging. For most people, dementia symptoms are their only warning, so it’s important to know your risk.
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The all-important Medicare Open Enrollment Period for 2020 starts this Tuesday, Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7. For those on Medicare, this is the time of the year when you can change your Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for the following year to better meet your needs.

Even if you are happy with your current coverage, plans can change from year to year.
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There are probably two times when people consider their estate planning documents. The first of these times is when you draw up the documents. The second time is likely when you need them.

Unfortunately, that could be a problem. There are a variety of reasons why you should review these documents every three-to-five years.
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We have written here many times about the dangers of elder abuse. Our elders are arguably the most victimized portion of our population, and the problem continues almost unabated.

Elder abuse comes in several forms, according to the National Council on Aging. They include:

• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Confinement
• Passive neglect
• Willful deprivation
• Financial exploitation

At least 1 in 10 American 60 and older have experienced some form of elder abuse, with some estimates suggesting that as many as 5 million seniors are abused annually. Unfortunately, these numbers may actually be an underestimate because only 1 in 14 cases of abuse are reported.
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Here’s two questions we often hear from people getting ready to retire. When can I start collecting Social Security, and when should I start collecting Social Security?

You may be surprised to know that the answer can be different depending on your age and financial situation.

You may not yet realize it, but there's no one age at which everyone starts collecting Social Security. You can actually start collecting at age 62, or you can put it off until age 70. Most people start collecting at 62, usually because of a financial need.
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One of the biggest challenges occurs when your loved one is no longer able to live on their own or with you and instead has to move to a care facility.

While this change is always hard for the person whose living situation is changing, it may be equally challenging for the caregiver. There are a number of emotions and fears when you first have to leave your loved one in the care of a stranger 24/7.

The biggest concern for a caregiver is often who will advocate for your family member if you are not there to speak for them all day every day. Among the caregiver fears, especially if your loved one cannot speak for themselves, is whether they will become a victim of abuse.

Do you have a parent or other family member with dementia? And do you often hear them singing or humming the same tune over and over again?

There’s a reason for that.

Your loved one may be losing cognitive functioning – skills like thinking, remembering and reasoning. But studies are showing they remain tied to their love of music. In fact, the research shows that people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias often can reconnect with family, friends and caregivers through music.

One organization that is

A recent study showed that deaths from fall have increased sharply  for seniors in recent years. The report featured in HealthDay, indicated that almost 25,000 people 75 or older suffered critical injuries from falls in 2016. That number had increased three-fold from 2000.

Experts say that part of the reason for the increase is that we are living longer. The good news is that there are things that can be done to reduce the number of fatal falls.
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