Gift of Communication Gift of CommunicationCoaching families and their financial advisors to learn the skills necessary to live fruitful lives
34 years ago I started my career in the financial services industry. I set up my first registered investment advisory firm in 1982 (Financial Action Plans,Inc.) and began doing financial planning for my clients.
A few months ago I had the privilege of attending a weekend retreat sponsored by Money Quotient (moneyquotient.org), a non-profit organization focused on assisting financial advisors to take a life-centered approach to financial planning. My visit opened my eyes to the possibility that financial advisors don’t need to concentrate entirely on their client’s rates of…
Reverse mortgages have been around for a long time. It’s a method that an individual can use to convert the equity built up in their home to a credit line or an income for as long as they remain in the home as their primary residence, without the burden of monthly mortgage payments. But up…
Your mom or dad may have decided to move to an assisted living residence or a nursing home if they need comprehensive long term care. The cost of this care can range from $5000-10,00 per month depending on their location and the extent of care. Unfortunately at some point they may run out of money…
Planning for Eldercare The Importance of Planning for Eldercare According to some sources, 60% of us will need long term care sometime during our lives. It is important for all of us to prepare for that day when we will need to help loved ones with care or we will need long term care for…
Veterans Benefits to Help Your Parents The Department of Veterans Affairs provides three types of long term care benefits for veterans. VA Health Care The first type is benefits provided to veterans enrolled in VA health care who have substantial service-connected disability. These medically necessary services include home care, hospice, respite care, assisted living, domiciliary…
Medicaid How can Medicaid pay for your parents’ extensive health care costs? Medicaid is a program jointly funded by the federal and state governments. Each state manages its own program. Medicaid is designed to provide assistance to the indigent. A third of the payments from Medicaid provide payments for the elderly who are in nursing…
Many of us are frustrated by our interactions with our doctors. They often seem rushed and only focused on tests and medication. Rarely do we see a doctor who just sits back and asks “How are you doing?” Dr. Thomas Graboys was such a doctor. In his book “Life in the Balance” he describes what…
I didn’t realize how much elderly people were prayed upon by scam artists until I met with one of my elderly clients recently. He is a retired physician who was a very bright, savvy individual but is now beginning to lose some of his mental sharpness. I met with him and his wife at their…
Last night I had the privilege of watching a movie entitled Young@Heart. It is a documentary showing a group of older people (average age 80) who get together with a chorus director (Bob Cilman) and form a chorus which sings such contemporary hits such as “Every Breath You Take”, “Yes I can,can” ‘I got you”…
Approximately one year ago I learned what it was really like to be a caregiver and the receiver of care. In December of 2007 I had ankle surgery and was told by the Doctor that I couldn’t put weight on the ankle for six weeks. As a result I was confined to a wheelchair and…