ElderAuthority.com

National 2013 Alzheimer’s Forum Message

ElderAuthority.com is an active participant in Alzheimer’s disease advocacy.  We recognize the urgent need for the funding at the national level to find a cure for this dreadful disease.  Last week’s 2013 Alzheimer’s Forum in Washington, D.C. spread the message to legislators on Capital Hill.
Alzheimer’s Dangerous Message
What you now need to know is that Alzheimer’s is the most expensive health crisis in America and is increasing like no… More

Longevity: Big Dogs Become Old Dogs

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL LESSON IN LIFE AND LONGEVITY.
Be nice to others because…
Time WILL make a difference!

 
One day you will no longer be the big dog…
Just the old dog…
And, my friend,  WE are now the old dogs.
HOWEVER, OLD DOG IS BETTER THAN DOG-GONE.
Thanks to Sheree Moore for this contribution.
 
 … More

Celebrating Life at the Boston Marathon

 
Triumph at the Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon, for me, has always been about celebrating life and the human spirit.  My father ran the race about 25 times.  My mother ran it eight or ten times.  The picture above shows them at the starting point in Hopkinton the first time Mom ran it.  I dropped them off there and took the picture.
Once the race began and my parents disappeared into a sea of runners I popped back into the car and found a place along the race course, close… More

Elderly Care Statistics for Alzheimer’s Disease

On March 19th, 2013,  the Alzheimer’s Association came out with its latest facts and figures.  The elderly care statistics are appalling.  Here are the key points:
A Leading Cause of Death
Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States.

It is the 5th leading cause of death for those aged 65 and older.
It is the only cause of death in the top ten in America without a way to prevent it, cure it, or slow its progression.
Deaths from Alzheimer’s… More

“Novel & Complex?” Bah! (Part 2 of 2)

(Continued from Part 1 of 2)
Couples Manage Stress Better
Fortunately, when I am melting down in terror, David stays solid.  Last night he pulled me back from a meltdown by reminding me that me have moved into a place that is “absolutely fabulous and magical”. Then he sat me down on the sofa in front of the roaring fire, put a drink in my hand, and fed me chicken soup.
Today, he told me (with exhausted eyes) he could not possibly do all the work waiting on his desk until the… More

“Novel & Complex” Brain Activity? Bah! (Part 1 of 2)

The Center for Brain Health recommends activities that are ‘novel & complex’ to improve brain health.  But they also tell us to avoid multitasking, quiet your mind, manage stress, and get lots of sleep.  As a 59-year-old baby boomer who is unpacking in her new home in Ann Arbor, MI, while trying to sell her house in Dallas, TX, I find it difficult to follow this advice.  I worry for my brain.
Save Me From “Novel & Complex”
My “novel &… More

2012 Walk to End Alzheimer’s: T-Shirts Talk

On Saturday, September 22, caregivers who care for those who have Alzheimer’s, people who have lost a loved one to Alzheimer’s, those who have Alzheimer’s disease, and those who advocate for a cure became a unified army during Dallas’ 2012 Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s.  The T-shirts told the story better than I ever can.
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       … More

Children and Grandparents: Plan Financial Gifts Carefully

Understand Tax Laws
Tax laws provide many opportunities for grandparents to provide for their grandkids’ financial, educational and other needs.  Leaving part of your estate to a grandchild involves additional planning that should be integrated into your overall estate plan. Four grandchild-related strategies are:

Annual gifts
Education funding
Custodial accounts
Savings bonds

Annual Gifts
Under 2012 tax law, an individual can make gifts of up to $13,000 per… More

Children and Grandparents: Take Care of Yourself First

Generous to a Fault
Today’s grandparents provide financial assistance for grandchildren – sometimes to the detriment of their own financial security.  Many grandparents help to fund things like mortgage and rent payments, health care, day care, education and everyday living expenses.
A 2011 AARP survey indicates that grandparents would rather make sacrifices themselves than let their own financial situation affect their grandchildren.   Grandparents must… More

Senior Transportation Services: Options

 
As I wrote in Senior Transportation: Wake Up Call, there probably is not a cookie cutter transportation system for the elderly in your area.  You are going to have to put together a plan on your own based upon local services and agencies.  The following is a list of the types of transportation that you should investigate.
Types of Transportation
Family & Friends
Family and Friends may be able to help you with most of your transportation needs.  It may not be the most… More