November is Make a Will month. It is reported that more than 55% of Canadians are without a Will. Still, it is a must-have for anyone with property or assets. While a Will may anchor an estate plan, it is only executed when you pass away. Even more compelling is…
Earlier this month, one of my fellow bloggers, Derek Hambly from Scotiatrust, wrote about the necessity of an international estate plan and the strategy of using separate wills for property or assets in another country. As part of a holistic Estate Plan, if you spend considerable time outside Canada, it’s…
Crisp, cool mornings and warm afternoons mean Autumn is here. Rosh Hashanah began last week, and Thanksgiving weekend is coming soon. It’s a time for friends and family to give thanks. It’s also the perfect time for families with older adults to consider pressing ‘The Plan Button.’ It could be…
Spain is near the top of the list of Canadians who want a European retirement base, and Madrid is one of my favourite cities. The weather is one of many advantages to spending time in Madrid, so I decided to revisit it earlier this month. Older Canadians are back to…
Arthritis is not part of the normal ageing process and can steal one’s mobility, independence, and freedom to enjoy life without chronic pain. It is also Canada’s leading cause of disability and workplace limitations. Since September is Arthritis Awareness Month in Canada, I thought readers would be interested in learning…
Elder care gaps occur as family structures change, and there may be unanticipated and challenging consequences. For parents who have long divorced, those who have remarried, and those with blended families, this may mean that adult children are now dealing with three or more parents and stepparents. As the caregiver…
People are living longer, so we need to consider that they may not be able to live at home alone because of poor mobility or diminished capacity. So, planning where one wants to live should be at the core of one’s lifestyle plan. Families often suggest retirement home living when…
Ageing is a hot topic in the news this summer as the US presidential campaign ramps up. Our family was in town for the Fourth of July holiday, and invariably, the conversation turned to aging, working, and when to retire. With people living longer and in good health, many people…
There are three truisms behind care disputes. Every caregiving situation is unique. Conflicts arise when making difficult care decisions. There is no one care solution or dispute resolution that suits all cases. To complicate matters further, the cost of care can easily escalate, and privatization of health care is expanding….
April is Parkinson’s Awareness month. Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s that affects the brain and cognitive function. While care management for Alzheimer’s and other dementias often gets more visibility, Parkinson’s disease can be just as complex to manage. With an aging population, the incidence…