What do others say about this hospice? How long has the hospice been in operation? Is the hospice Medicare-certified? Is the hospice accredited, and if required, state-licensed? What is the expectation for the role of the family in caregiving? Are…
Medicare Genetic Testing Scams: How to Protect Yourself
The National Council on Aging warns that genetic testing scams are on the rise and “costing Medicare billions.” In some identity theft cases, scammers offer “free” genetic testing to older adults only asking for their Medicare information in return. In…
25 Common Nursing Home Problems—& How to Resolve Them
This guide from Justice in Aging helps you spot and resolve the most common problems at nursing homes. These problems occur across the country, and even supposedly “good” nursing homes often follow standard procedures that violate federal law, putting residents…
[NOT] Putting cash in the mail
According to an FTC Data Spotlight, people 70 and older are reporting losing cash to scammers who pretend to be a friend or family member in trouble. People reported losing $41 million in 2018, versus $26 million the previous year. …
John Oliver on Medicare Advantage
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…