“ . . . we start grieving long before a person breathes their last breath. The more care that is given to the caregivers and the more prepared they are to discuss and talk about their grief and take steps while the person is still with them, often the better the experience will be . . . “ Emma Payne, Grief Coach
Long-term care is expensive, right?!
We have three little-known tips to share.
| 211.org | This free service is the most comprehensive source of locally curated social services information. Available 24/7–call, text or chat. |
State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) |
This nonprofit gives free advice about Medicare programs that could provide financial assistance. Call to schedule an appointment with someone from your state. |
Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) |
This is a Medicare and state-specific “shared care” program for those who qualify. (You don’t necessarily need to spend down assets like you would to qualify for Medicaid.) It is not available in every state.
One support group participant was so excited that they qualified and will receive help through this program! |
May you find joy in discovering new strategies to pay for long-term care!
Are you grieving? Or are you slowly losing someone to dementia? Interviewer Elizabeth Dameron-Drew of Ways & Wane talks to Emma Payne of Grief Coach, a texting service to support people who are grieving, and the friends and family who want to support them, but often just don’t know how.
You may also be interested in this article on forgotten birthdays.
May you find joy in loving one another well, even in the midst of your tears.
If you anticipate that other family members will be grieving that day too, consider including them in the planning of something.
Whatever the day looks like for you, may you feel love and express love!
Elizabeth Dameron-Drew is the Co-founder and President of Ways & Wane. She walked closely with her own father through his years of waning. She lives near Seattle with her two teenage sons, husband and two rescue dogs. When she’s not working on this platform she’s probably creating books, doing research work or planning a dinner party while listening to the rain and thinking about her next creative endeavor.
All of a sudden, I was responsible for my dad’s taxes in addition to my own. I didn’t even know how he usually did them or where to find his detailed paperwork.
He was living with trauma-induced dementia in a small family care home, and couldn’t help answer questions. I sleuthed out the name of his tax preparer, but felt sure it had to be simple enough to file on my own. After completing his taxes for $100 with online filing software, I realized that I could have done it for free with expert help.
1. The IRS offers Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE). Just enter your zip code to find someone near you to help.
2. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide also provides free tax preparation in different ways – in-person, low-contact, or contact-free – depending on what service is available in your area. Some sites can provide service in one or two visits, or you may not need to visit a site at all, with all interactions taking place online. Brief descriptions of each service type offered at Tax-Aide sites are available by selecting the “Service Types” tab on this AARP page.
3. You can also choose to prepare your tax return yourself, with the use of the free OnLine Taxes software. Its availability can vary by year.
Check in to the Senior Tax Credit for the Elderly and Disabled. If your senior qualifies, you could take up to $7,500 directly off their tax bill. To qualify, a person must be 65 years of age by the end of the tax year. The IRS also establishes income guidelines for each tax year. Check with a tax professional.
The April 18 deadline is coming up, so don’t wait to reach out to counselors at the IRS and AARP Foundation for questions about your senior’s taxes. If you are caring for a senior in your home, talk to a tax counselor about deductions for related costs and about claiming them as a dependent. The time is now to utilize these free resources for your senior’s taxes.
You know all about your senior’s habits,
but you don’t have to know
all about how to do their taxes.
Debbie McDonald is the Founder of Ways & Wane, an online platform that helps you help your aging parent. She lives in Northern California with her husband.
Interviewer Elizabeth Dameron-Drew highlights the Digital Social Worker that walks you through various pay options.
At 79, when his body and mind were compromised by dementia, I’d visit with him and we played all sorts of activities and games. When it was time for me to go home, I hated leaving him with nothing to keep his hands busy. Handing him something that looked like a child’s toy felt like an insult to him and well, it just made me feel sad. So, I present five (not childlike) tactile fidget gift ideas for your senior with dementia. The benefit? To help them stay busy and feel calm.
Note: We recommend these products because we think they’re good and we wanted to save you time. Some of them may earn us a bit when you click on the link.
May you find joy in loving one another well, despite dementia!
Elizabeth Dameron-Drew is co-founder and president of Ways & Wane. She walked closely with her own father through his years of waning. She lives near Seattle, Washington with her two teenage sons, husband and two rescue dogs. When she’s not working on this platform, she’s probably creating books, sewing, or vacuuming, or cooking while listening to the rain and thinking about her next creative endeavor.
Being repeatedly asked the same question by anyone, whether they are 2 or 70, is frustrating. When it means they are fading cognitively, feelings of grief get mixed into the dynamic.
How can you respond and save your own sanity? Here are 7 practical tips:
This video from UCLA Health offers insights and practical tips for managing repetitive questions.
May you find joy in loving one another well.
Elizabeth Dameron-Drew is the co-founder of Ways & Wane. She walked closely with her own father through his years of waning. She lives near Seattle, Washington with her two teenage sons, husband and two rescue dogs. When she’s not working on this platform she’s probably creating books, sewing, or vacuuming, or cooking while listening to the rain and thinking about her next creative endeavor.