We love to run across news stories that show how the simplest of ideas can have a tremendous impact, and that’s how we felt some months back as we read this heart-warming article published earlier this year on the BBC News website. We thought it would be a good article to bring back and share…
As most of us contemplate growing older, we expect to have our spouse and supportive family members alongside us on the journey. As we often say here at AgingOptions, “Aging is a family affair.” However, for millions of seniors, their experience will be quite different: for a variety of reasons these men and women are…
Over the years here at AgingOptions we’ve dealt with hundreds of families, and we’ve seen some of the harm that poor planning combined with toxic family dynamics can create. Estate planning done poorly offers limitless opportunities for family tensions. As you approach retirement, you may be thinking about designating one of your adult children as…
If something were to happen to your spouse, would you know how to find all the important information about your financial accounts? Would all your beneficiary designations be up to date? Do you even agree on who your beneficiaries should be? If your answer is no, you’re not alone. The sad reality is that many…
If you have an older loved one in your life who is still managing his or her own finances, you’re probably on constant lookout for any signs that he or she is “starting to slip” – in other words, that they are suffering from cognitive impairment. If this concern is causing you stress, it might…
As we age, there’s one inevitable reality we all face: we have to contend with the loss of friends and loved ones. This frequently means walking the journey of grief alongside someone who has just lost a spouse, sibling, parent or friend. Even for pastors and others trained in how to deal with grief, helping…
Just a few weeks ago here on the AgingOptions blog, we shared some helpful advice about the right approach to giving money to your family members. The gist of the article (you’ll find it here) is that there’s a right way – and a wrong way – to give resources away, and if you want…
For many of us, Father’s Day brings memories of a dad who’s no longer with us. But if you’re still able to spend time with your dad – or at least to connect via phone or Skype – this day brings a great reminder that what dad wants most from us is probably not another…
If you’re a caregiver, actively caring for a loved one with serious health issues, the symptoms may sound all too familiar. You find yourself feeling exhausted all the time. Sometimes you feel irritable, even losing your sense of sympathy for the person you’re helping. You may have experienced physical symptoms such as headaches or weight…
Generosity is a wonderful thing. If you’re at a stage in your life where you feel you have plenty of resources, and you’re motivated by a desire to give some of your money or possessions to those you love, that’s an admirable impulse – but beware. Your generous spirit can end up causing more trouble…