According to the U.S. Surgeon General, the United States has a loneliness epidemic, with about fifty percent of Americans adults “experiencing measurable levels of loneliness.” That’s a sobering statistic. Even more sobering are the serious physical consequences that can happen because of this lack of connection. From increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and dementia,…
In her recent memoir, author and therapist Amy Bloom discusses her heart-wrenching decision to travel with her husband to Switzerland to end his life at Dignitas, a clinic that prescribes life-ending medication to terminally ill patients. Brian had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and wasn’t able to find the help he needed in the United States…
The month of May is a special one at Schromen Law, LLC. First of all, it’s Elder Law Month. We are proud of the legal services we are able provide to our elderly neighbors. Beyond legal services, though, May is also Older Americans month, and our firm wants to foster community and conversation around embracing…
Henry (named change to protect client confidentiality) contacted me about a year after his wife was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. In the year leading up to our first meeting he had provided her full-time care and watched as her condition progressed. Not only was Henry dealing with the physical and financial challenges of caring…
Many have become aware about upcoming changes that will limit the availability of Medicare Cost Plans in 66 Minnesota counties. Starting in 2019, health insurance companies will no longer be able to offer Medicare Cost Plans in several counties in Minnesota including the Twin Cities, metro area. This means that an estimated 370,000 Medicare recipients,…
It is not uncommon that family members, predominantly female family members, have provided a majority of care to their aging loved ones. Today, middle-aged adults, known as the “Sandwich Generation,” are those who are caught between the demands of caring for their children and providing care to their aging parents. The number of individuals who…
Sarah cries when she relays the story while preparing lunch for her frail, elderly mother who suffers from dementia. A year ago, Sarah and her sister hired a young woman to help care for their mother on Mondays while the sisters both worked. Things seemed to be going well until Sarah received a call from…
The idea of discussing your parent’s finances and estate planning can seem overwhelming and incredibly intimidating. After all, this is oftentimes the type of questions parents ask their children – not the other way around. However, as challenging as it can be to initiate this conversation, it is important to do so in order to…
The manner in which you own shared property in Minnesota may impact your estate planning goals. It is important to know how your shared property is owned, and what that means in terms of what will happen with your interest should you die. Two common ways to own property in Minnesota are: 1) as “joint…
If you are wondering when you should start your estate planning…the answer is, “NOW!” When individuals ask me when a good time to star their estate plan is, I always advise that there is no such thing as starting your estate plan too early. And no, I do not just say that because it is…
