Some publications call it the “Grandparent Scam.” The phone rings, and the frantic, young voice on the line asks its grandparents for help. Typically, the caller claims to be trapped in jail and desperately in need of bail money. The voice is ashamed and scared; it begs its grandparents to keep the bail and the […]
Medicare open enrollment runs through December 7, and it is a good time for beneficiaries to make sure they are satisfied with their Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. During open enrollment, people on Medicare can shop around for Part D plans and the optional Medicare Advantage plans. If a beneficiary’s health or prescriptions for […]
There are more senior housing units under construction in Texas than anywhere else in the country, according to a research report from Marcus & Millichap, a real estate investment services firm. There are currently more than 2,000 units of senior housing being built in Texas. Thirteen states, including Minnesota, Florida and Tennessee, have more than […]
Families for Better Care, a nonprofit group that advocates for better nursing home care, has released its first state-by-state nursing home report card, which ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia according to quality of care. Unfortunately for Texas residents seeking nursing home care, the state ranked last in the report, with an […]
An alarming number of scams and thefts target elders. One type of scam takes advantage of the public’s confusion over changes in health insurance. Someone perpetrating this type of fraud may call a senior and say that new Medicare cards are being issued and they just need to verify some personal information. A similar trick […]
New research indicates that copper found in drinking water, foods and vitamin supplements may play a role in the buildup of proteins and inflammation of the brain that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Copper is necessary for bone and tissue growth, hormone secretion and nerve conduction, but the new research from the University of Rochester […]
The Texas legislature recently passed a bill which enables Texas residents to sell their life insurance policies to fund their Medicaid long-term care. Third-party companies typically buy the policies from seniors concerned about how to financially fund their long-term care needs in their later years and cash them in after the seniors die, keeping as […]
The “graying” of the United States population – more adults are 65 or older than ever before – means that consumer expectations and needs are also changing to reflect the population shift. One of the places where services are not yet meeting the demand is state assisted living facility regulations. According to the chair of […]
Many seniors are attracted to the conveniences and safety an assisted-living facility can offer. Assisted-living facilities became popular in the early 1980s, appealing to older individuals who wanted more support than they could afford to receive at home, while not yet needing the full services of a nursing facility. An assisted-living residence allows seniors to […]
The Texas Health Care Association (THCA) is carefully watching the Texas Legislature regarding Medicaid expansion. Regardless of how the legislature votes, the THCA is concerned about how to maintain access for seniors to quality nursing home care. Medicaid funding levels that adequately support seniors’ nursing home care must be maintained, said President of THCA Steve […]