SeniorTruth

Since Medicare’s open-enrollment window runs from November 15 to December 31, it’s time to decide to keep, switch or modify your current Medicare plan. Be sure you understand any new options for covered services and evaluate their pros and cons.  Here’s a quick review:

Question: I’ve been very ill for quite some time. Should I experience another serious episode, I do not want to receive emergency life support. How can I make sure that my wishes will be respected?

Question: The Medicare Summary Notice I just received shows the name of a doctor I’ve never heard of, and certainly never met. Should I be concerned?

These days, because the costs of living seem to be higher than ever before, a record number of senior homeowners are considering reverse mortgage loans that convert their home equity into available income. Although reverse mortgages may provide an affordable way to obtain needed funds, they can sometimes turn out to be much more expensive [...]

Question: When I pass away, I want my son to inherit the family home. Is there any way for him to maintain the property tax protections that have allowed me to pay much lower taxes than my next-door neighbors who haven’t lived here as long?

Question: The doctor informed me that Mom’s illness is terminal and that, if she would like, Medicare will cover her hospice care needs. How is hospice care coverage different from other Medicare?

Question: My father is on Medicare and is about to be released from a nursing home and rehabilitation center.  He’s recovering from near death and suffers from diabetes, kidney failure, heart disease and depression.  He lives with his 72-year old brother.  What do we need to have in place when he returns home?  I [...]

There’s a confusing maze of government income, health and care programs for seniors out there. Here’s a quick guide to eight of them:

Question: I retired last year at the age of 66, and started receiving social security. I have been thinking about going back to work. Will returning to work hurt my benefits?

Answer: Since you did not start receiving social security until your “full retirement age,” you may work as much as you want, [...]

Question: My father resides in an assisted living facility. Does the government provide financial assistance to seniors like him who are retired veterans?
Answer: Depending on when it was that your father served our country, he may be entitled to receive veterans’ retirement benefits through the VA pension or its Aid & Attendance (A&A) programs. Both [...]