It is well known that senior citizens are more prone to fraud than younger individuals. Research indicates that seniors lose an estimated $2.9 billion to fraud each and every year. Now, MetLife’s Mature Market Institute may have found the reason why. They have conducted a study with the National Committee…
With the number of seniors growing, and life expectancy on the rise, many families are weighing the difference between home care and some kind of assisted living for the elderly. Financial concerns always play a role in the debate. Other factors include the stress associated with caring for the elderly…
Financial involving money, property, goods or identity theft; or it might involve a senior being urged by friends or family to sign a financial document that is not be in their best interest. Sometimes it’s hard to determine where the scam begins and poor financial decision making ends, especially when…
An article in the San Diego Union Tribune recently reported that the rate of elder abuse is growing at an alarming rate as people live longer, baby boomers reach retirement, and the economy is shaky. According to the District Attorney’s office in San Diego, 183 cases of elder abuse were…
If you do not have a will, or better yet, a trust, your estate will be distributed according to the laws of “intestacy” set forth in the Probate Code. There may be a difference between how your estate is distributed according to your wishes and how it will be distributed…
Pets are a large part of our daily life. Pets can provide relief from stress, companionship, and an opportunity to get some exercise and socialization. Pets also can have a beneficial effect on our health in other ways. A study at the State University of Buffalo showed that people with…
As many people approach their sixties, they begin wondering at what age they should start taking social security. It can be a confusing decision. Center for Retirement Research at Boston College has a good link to download the Social Security Claiming Guide. This document has all the information you need…
Seniors, especially women, are more vulnerable to elder abuse of all forms. Statistics show that more women than men fall prey to financial abuse.Financial elder abuse can be the taking of money or property from an elder. It can be misusing a power of attorney. It can be changing an…
Recently you may have heard about the conviction of Anthony Marshall, son of New York philanthropist and socialite Brooke Astor. Tony Marshall, the only son of Brooke Astor, was convicted of 14 counts of grand theft and larceny for allegedly stealing millions from his mother’s estate while she was suffering…
You may wonder how to determine if a loved one is at a point where they should no longer be living independently. It is a hard decision for the individual involved and for family members who want to make sure their loved one is safe but also not be too…