In this episode of Last Week Tonight, John Oliver provides a funny but accurate explanation of Medicare Advantage and its pitfalls.
One piece of advice helped navigate the dementia of my partner
19 April 2025 Washington Post guest column by Sue Dickman In summer 2019, I sat in the memory disorders clinic at the hospital watching my partner, Alex, fail to draw a clock. The circle was there, but the numbers spilled…
Property Tax Exemption for Older Adults
Under Maryland Tax Property Law Section 7-208, “a veteran who was honorable discharged and is confirmed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to have a 100 percent service-connected disability may apply for a full exemption from real estate taxes…
How To Recover From Financial Exploitation
The frequency of elder financial exploitation (EFE) is very high, with few resources available to aid those who have been victims. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has therefore released the first comprehensive report detailing how older adults recover from…
Communication Tips
Never argue; instead, agree. Never reason; instead, divert. Never shame; instead, distract. Never lecture; instead, reassure. Never force; instead, reinforce Never say “Do you remember?” instead, say “I remember….” Never say “I told you;” instead, repeat. Never say “You can’t;”…
Caregiving Tips: Communicating With Confused Persons
1. Create a calm environment. The tone of your voice and your facial expressions are important in speech. Try not to overreact to a situation. Take things slowly. Smile. 2. Do not assume the person cannot understand what is being…
How to Defend Against Nursing Homes That Violate Debt Collection Laws
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid have published a report detailing how nursing homes have violated debt collection laws. Many caregivers have suffered great financial burdens because they have been illegally subjected to…
No Surprises Act New Consumer-Friendly Resources
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released new resources to help people understand their rights under the No Surprises Act. This federal law established protections against surprise billing and excessive cost-sharing for people who are covered by…
Medicare Coverage for Skilled Nursing Facility Care
The Center for Medicare Advocacy released an updated fact sheet that outlines Medicare beneficiary rights within a skilled nursing facility. Following the 2013 settlement agreement in the case of Jimmo v. Sebelius, Medicare coverage is now, “determined by a beneficiary’s…
Title Lock Insurance: what is it and do you need it?
In this informative consumer alert, the Maryland Attorney General clarifies that title lock “insurance” is not actually insurance. Rather it will simply alert you if the title to your house has been transferred out of your name. Title lock “insurance”…