Articles Posted in Caregiving

More so than any physical transformation, memory loss is one of the most severe consequences of aging. Aging at its core, affects how information is processed in the brain. Older people are often told that they are slow – in thought and in movement. While it is true that it may be more difficult to move, see, or hear as people age, people are surprised to learn that their senses are also slower and continue to slow down as they age.

Changes in memory storage and retrieval

According to Dr. Mark E. Williams, changes in memory storage and retrieval of information occur for all age groups as human beings mature and age. Over time however, recall gets worse. Recall involves the searching and retrieving of factual information.

The Internal Revenue Service recently issued a notice to people with disabilities who are employed that for the first time they can now deposit extra money into their ABLE accounts without losing Social Security, Medicaid, or other government benefits. Annual contributions to ABLE accounts are currently capped at $15,000 but under new legislation passed in late 2017 individuals with disabilities who are employed may now accrue at least some of their wages as well.

This year, Americans living in the lower 48 states may now deposit an additional $12,140 from their income which means workers with disabilities are allowed to save up to $27,140 in their ABLE account in 2018. Hawaii residents can save an additional $13,390 and Alaska residents can save an additional $15,180, according to the release put out by the IRS this month.

Additionally, the IRS has announced that workers with disabilities and an ABLE account may now qualify for a Saver’s Credit to help reduce their federal tax bill. Formerly known as the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit, the Saver’s Credit gives special tax breaks to low and moderate income taxpayers saving for retirement. The Saver’s Credit can be taken for contributions to a traditional or Roth IRA, a 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, SARSEP, 403(b), 501(c)(18) or governmental 457(b) plan.

Having a last will and testament is something that every single person needs to have, regardless of how substantial or modest they feel their estate may be. This because a last will and testament does much more than spell out who receives what part of an estate. A last will and testament can and should go on to set out contingencies for many practical scenarios and life events that the average person can find himself or herself in.

First and foremost, a last will and testament allows individuals to direct portions of their estate to whomever they choose. When individuals pass away without a will it is known as intestacy and will be distributed according to the laws of the state where that person resides. Generally, this means that the deceased’s property will be distributed among his or her immediate family, regardless of what his or her final wishes would have been.

Once a person passes away, his or her estate will generally need to pass through probate court, known in New York as Surrogate’s Court. Without a last will and testament, this process can be more costly and time consuming than if the deceased had clearly expressed to the court his or her final wishes on how to divide the estate in question.

Medicare helps seniors pay for a whole host of mental health treatment services, including both inpatient and outpatient treatment services to help diagnose and treat mental health conditions. Depending on the type of care needed, beneficiaries may incur some out of pocket costs, including deductibles, and are subject to some limitations on the length of treatment you can receive at in patient centers.

Medicare Part A will cover inpatient mental health services at either a psychiatric hospital or a general hospital, depending on the type of care determined by the primary care doctor. Medicare will cover up to 190-days of treatment at a psychiatric hospital during a person’s lifetime and may cover additional inpatient care at a general hospital if necessary.

When receiving inpatient care with Medicare Part A, beneficiaries will need to pay an out of pocket deductible before they enter the facility. As of 2018, that cost is estimated to be $1,340. After paying the deductible, Medicare Part A will pay the first 60-days of inpatient treatment in full. The next 30-days require the patient pay a daily co-insurance of $355 and the remaining 90-days require a daily co-insurance of $670.