By: Olivia R. Holcombe-Volke, J.D. – Partner

Are you over the age of 18? Is your autonomy important to you – your ability to make decisions for yourself? If you ever lost that ability – ever lost the mental capacity – to make decisions for yourself, is it important to you that you personally select the person (or people) who are empowered to make decisions for you? And to specifically and personally choose what decisions they are authorized to make for you, and how – that is, the specific parameters of their authority to act on your behalf?
I have yet to ask these questions of an autonomous adult and hear any answer other than “yes.” While we may not always want to make the truly important decisions – like what to eat for dinner on a Tuesday – the reality is that when it comes to health and finances, we all want to decide such things for ourselves. And, while it may not be at the top of your mind while you are mentally capable of making such decisions (and busy doing so – busy with life!) – this also means that, if you are ever mentally incapable of making such decisions, you absolutely, unequivocally, want the person and specific decision making authority to have been chosen and specified by you.
Luckily, the law allows you to do so, by signing two, fairly straightforward but immensely powerful, documents: an Advance Directive (sometimes known as a Healthcare Power of Attorney), and a Financial Power of Attorney.

An Advance Directive allows you to name an authorized person as your Agent (as well as any successor/backup Agents – as many as you want), to speak on your behalf to the doctors and other healthcare professionals, and to make healthcare decisions for you. This vital document also allows you to specifically outline and direct your Agent regarding what decisions you want made in certain end-of-life situations, as well as your organ donation preferences, and instructions regarding your final funeral/burial/cremation/memorial service arrangements.

A Financial Power of Attorney allows you to name an authorized person as your Attorney-in-Fact (as well as any successor/backup Attorneys-in-Fact – as many as you want), to access, manage, and use your assets on your behalf (to take care of you and your needs). This vital document also allows you to specifically outline and direct your Attorney-in-Fact regarding what decisions you want made regarding specific assets, and to authorize (or not) the use of certain asset protection strategies in the event you ever need Medicaid or other needs-based government benefits to pay for your care.

What happens if you become mentally incapacitated and you do not have these vital documents in place? Quite simply, the court must get involved. If it is determined by physicians that you are not mentally capable of making decisions for yourself, and you do not have an Advance Directive (for healthcare) and Financial Power of Attorney (for finances) in place, then the court appoints a guardian of your person (for healthcare) and of your property (for finances) to make all such decisions for you, all to be supervised and overseen by the court. This guardian may be known to you, or may be a complete stranger (often, an attorney) – it is entirely left to the discretion of the court, depending on various factors. This – adult guardianship – can be expensive (the court, the lawyers involved, and the court-appointed guardian do not work for free), embarrassing (no independent and autonomous adult likes the idea that there might ever be an open courtroom in which their mental inability and the decisions that are made for them are aired to the public), and can result in decisions and actions that may not be the decisions or actions that the once autonomous adult would have wanted.

Notice that I haven’t even mentioned the “what happens to my stuff when I die?” aspect of estate planning – often the only aspect of which most people think or are aware. This is because the other aspect of estate planning – the “what happens to me and my stuff if I am still alive, but mentally incapable of managing and deciding health and financial issues for myself?” – is, when most people are asked, often considered equally if not more important, and is certainly more widely applicable. While it may be true that some adults feel they do not have enough “stuff” to worry about distributing after death, and therefore do not feel the need nor worry about having a Last Will and Testament in place – all autonomous adults can agree that they absolutely want to control what happens to them and their “stuff” while they are still alive.

Not to diminish the importance of having a Last Will and Testament, which, of course, allows you to dictate where or to whom your estate will go at your death, and by whom it will be handled. And certainly, for parents of minor children (that is, children below the age of 18), a Will should absolutely be in place to name the parents’ preferred guardian of the minor children(that is, who will be legally responsible for the minor children until they become 18, in the event that both parents die).

A common misconception that leads many people to believe they do not need these vital documents is the idea that if they are married, their spouse will be authorized to handle all decisions for them, and be able to access all assets (before and after death). This simply is not true. Even if you are married, you must have an Advance Directive and Financial Power of Attorney in place to ensure that anyone, including your spouse, has the authority to act on your behalf while you are alive, and, at a minimum, a Last Will and Testament in place to ensure that your desired distribution of your “stuff” will take place at your death, whether that desired distribution is to your spouse or otherwise.
This is not to say that an Advance Directive, Financial Power of Attorney, and Last Will and Testament are the be-all and end-all for everyone. There may well be the need and desire for additional or alternative estate planning strategies, such as Revocable Living Trust or Special Needs Trust-planning. But, at a minimum, every autonomous adult should have these three essential documents in place.

Chances are, you or someone you know is over the age of 18, and has not implemented these vital estate planning documents. Encourage that person to contact us as soon as possible. There is no crystal ball that will allow us to see into the future. But having a plan in place for the unknown will allow us to fully enjoy the present.

Tags: Asset Level, estate planning
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If you or a loved one are a federal or US postal employee or an active or retired Uniformed Services member, it may be worth looking into the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP).

First, the basics of long term care: it isn’t professional medical care, it isn’t seeking recovery or a cure. It includes home care, including by family members, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, adult daycare centers, and continuing care communities.

Today, the costs of long term care average around $32 thousand a year for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week in-home care, and $47 thousand for assisted living facilities. To give specific examples of long term care costs around the country: in San Francisco, in-home care costs approximately $39 thousand a year, while nursing home care costs around $206 thousand; in Phoenix, Arizona, in-home care costs about $34 thousand per year, whereas nursing home care costs around $82 thousand; in Bismarck, North Dakota, nursing home care can cost up to $210 thousand per year, while in-home care costs only around $37 thousand; in Washington, DC, nursing home care costs up to $137 thousand a year, whereas in-home care costs around $35 thousand; in Orlando, Florida, in-home care costs around $31 thousand, nursing home care costs up to $108 thousand.

These costs are rapidly rising, and they don’t tend to be covered by long term disability insurance, health insurance or Medicare. Medicaid tends to be limited to nursing home care, and only if the client qualifies under strict income and asset guidelines, which may require spending down on assets.  Real property, retirement assets, and income may all contribute to pushing you over the income and asset guidelines. The Veterans Administration (VA) may help with long-term care but it depends on whether a Veteran served during wartime, the medical needs of the Veteran, and whether a Veteran has low income and assets.

That leaves several options to pay for the costs of long-term care. Self-funding, including income and investments; government programs, such as Medicaid or the VA, the limitations of which are discussed above; or long-term care insurance. The private market’s options for assisted living can be too pricey for the middle class, but often that same demographic isn’t eligible for public programs like Medicaid or subsidized housing. Private long-term care insurance is definitely worth considering but maybe too pricey depending on a person’s age and health status.

However, if you are a federal or US Postal Service employee, or an active or retired Uniformed Services member, the FLTCIP may be the best option for filling that gap. The FLTCIP is available for employees, military, and annuitants; it is also available to relatives, including spouses, partners, parents, parents-in-law, step-parents, and children.

Because there is the issue of eligibility to consider, we’ll be brief on the FLTCIP’s benefits. But the program does offer security in that it is the largest employee LTC insurance program in the country, and it is underwritten by John Handcock. Furthermore, we mentioned that one of the issues with private LTC insurance is the lack of flexibility. The FLTCIP offers the ability to design the client’s plan in three areas, with choices on the daily benefit amount, benefit period, and inflation protection, based on the client’s preferences and needs. It is therefore worth considering whether you or a loved one may eligible for the FLTCIP when considering how to pay for long term care needs.

The challenge of how to find and pay for long term care is one of several services we provide seniors and their loved ones. All avenues are explored, including private long term care insurance, Medicaid and Veterans pension benefits. If we can be of assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Elville and Associates by clicking here to send us a message or by calling us at (443) 393-7696.

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Sandy was a caregiver for her 85 yr-old mother. Sandy still worked full time and would help her mom in the evenings and weekends. Unfortunately, Sandy was in a serious car accident and would be out of work for at least 8 weeks. She now faced the challenge of paying her bills while out of work and finding someone to help her mom until Sandy could get back on her feet.

There are only so many ways you can plan for the unexpected.  Short term disability insurance is one. Yet many people may not know exactly what short term disability is or how it can benefit someone who has experienced the unexpected illness or injury that may prevent them from being able to work for an extended period of time.   There are also the planned events, such as surgery to correct a chronic health issue for which you will need some income to help cover the procedure and other expenses incurred during your time away from your job. It is estimated that on a yearly basis, an average of 5.6 percent of workers in America will have a need for short term disability.  Here is an overview of what short term disability insurance is and what it can and cannot do for you during the unplanned and most likely unwanted downtime you hope you never have.

Short term disability is used for non-work related illnesses or injuries, as opposed to a worker’s compensation policy, paid for by the employer, that provides income replacement for a work-related injury. As the name suggests, short term disability is active for a limited period of time, is often offered as part of a benefits package, and may be purchased on your own through a private insurance agent if your employer is not mandated to offer it. Currently, there are only five states where it is mandatory for employers to offer this type of coverage to their employees.  These states are California, New York, New Jersey, Hawaii, and Rhode Island. Of note, the income replacement from a short term disability insurance policy will seldom cover 100% of your income but typically will cover anywhere from 40% to 70% of your income depending on the policy terms.

The time covered by short term disability can range from 30 days to sometimes up to a year depending on the policy, but it is important to know that your job is not guaranteed should you need to use short term disability.  It may be possible to transition to a long term disability plan once short term benefits are used up and you are not ready to return to work. Another important thing to know is what the elimination period is for the policy. Employers do not want to start paying for an illness or injury that could possibly be covered by an employee’s “sick days” fund, therefore there is an elimination period associated with the policy, which means that the policy may dictate how many days you would have to be off work with the disability before a claim could be filed.

Fortunately, there are many conditions that qualify for short term disability that even include many mental health issues.  As mentioned earlier, if there is a need to be off work for a planned procedure that will render you unable to return to work for a while, you will want to be sure your policy covers that issue and time needed to recover when planning for your care needs.   There may be limits to what one employer covers versus another, and conditions that are covered should also be part of your consideration when choosing a plan should you decide to purchase your own policy. Unfortunately, pre-existing conditions are not covered by short term disability, nor can benefits be used to take time off from work to care for other family members who are sick or injured.   In general, the short term disability plan, when you are informed and knowledgeable of how it works, can be a benefit that may provide some peace of mind should the unexpected health crisis happen.

We help people of all ages plan for the unexpected so that your wishes will be carried out. Through the use of legal documents like a living trust, power of attorney and health care directives, we make sure your home, your savings, and your family is taken care of if the unexpected happens.

If you have questions or would like to discuss how you can plan for the unexpected, please don’t hesitate to contact Elville and Associates at any of our six locations by sending us a message here or by dialing (443) 393-7696.

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If you or a loved one is in the market for a home that will meet a physical or developmental need, there are some tips to consider before you begin the process. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website lists state, local government, and other organizations that can help you. At the federal level, the agency also provides information about HUD’s Section 504 regulations that define federal financial assistance, in particular, Section 811 outlines its program for Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities. It is important to research what assistance is available before contacting a realtor.

Once you have a strategy in place to utilize available programs to minimize costs, it is time to think about the housing location. Is the special needs individual employed or a student? Can they drive a car or do they need to be near public transportation to get to work or school? If the individual is a K-12 student, pay particular attention to school and after-school programs. Research what is available as many schools have programs for children with special needs that are offered outside of the standard school zoning in some neighborhoods. Also, take into account the proximity of hospitals and doctors. Consider the location of shopping (food and otherwise), dining and entertainment.  Be sure to note whether there are any restrictions regarding support animals (if relevant to you or your loved one).

Once the location list is narrowed down talk to others who have faced the same housing challenges; whether it is a support group, school parent message boards, housing assistance advocacy group, or online forum you can save a lot of time and money by learning from others who have gone before you. In these discussions ask a lot of follow up questions. Dialing into the details can help save you missteps in your process.

Once you have identified a general location that meets some of the criteria above, it is time to canvas the availability of appropriate homes. When thinking about the layout and design of a home consider the rambler or ranch style house. They have a long low profile, very few stairs to navigate (if any) and have minimal exterior and interior decoration. These rambler attributes make the home reasonably easy to modify.

If mobility is an issue, look for a house with smooth floorings such as hardwood floors or laminate flooring. Smooth surfaces provide easier access to shower and bathroom areas. Also, check to see that the doorways in the home are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair. Assess how many modifications would be required to address your or your loved one’s needs while remaining within a budget. Grab bars, ramps, and other similar amenities are reasonably simple to add, and some states, cities, and counties will help pay for the modifications.

Not only are there federal, state and local agencies to help you meet the requirements of a special needs home, there are also lenders and realtors who specialize in financing and purchasing this type of home. A good lender and realty agent will be familiar with the agencies and government programs that can help their client get approved for a loan and maneuver the housing marketplace for the right fit.

Realtor.com, Zillow, Homesnap, and Redfin are just a few of the online options to explore real estate from your home or mobile device. Just plug in an address of a home in the area that meets your criteria and you will get stats on that home as well as an aerial map of the neighborhood that allows you to click on and get information about homes that are not currently on the market but may be soon.

Realize this process takes time. Identify a strong, competent real estate agent who understands your special needs parameters and is willing to put forth the time to find the right housing solution for you. Also, speak with a trusted attorney to ensure you have maximized all potential program benefits available to you. Buying a home is probably the biggest purchase you will make in your life. Buying a home that accommodates special needs adds a layer of complexity that should be well thought out before hiring a realtor.

If you have questions or would like to discuss your particular situation, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can get in touch with Elville and Associates by clicking here to send us a message or by dialing us at (443) 393-7696.

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By – Jeffrey D. Stauffer – Community Relations Director – jeff@elvilleassociates.com, 443-393-7696 x117, @elvilleassoc

WHEN and WHERE — CHOOSE FROM ONE OF THREE DATES:
Tuesday, October 22nd — 7 – 8:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Columbia Town Center — 10207 Wincopin Circle, Columbia 21044
Wednesday, October 23rd — 10 – 11:30 a.m. at Turf Valley Resort — 2700 Turf Valley Road, Ellicott City 21042
Thursday, October 24th — 7 – 8:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Columbia Town Center — 10207 Wincopin Circle, Columbia 21044
“Will My Estate End Up in Probate? Will I Outlive My Savings? Will My Plan Work the Way I Want?”

Presented by Elville and Associates’ estate planning and elder law attorney Nicole T. Livingston, these events are designed to educate you so that you can control your future, protect your hard-earned savings and have peace of mind.   Nicole has offered hundreds of workshops throughout her 15-year career — and it shows in her presentations!

Highlights will include:

• Wills and Living Trusts – Learn the advantages and disadvantages to both.
• Asset Protection – How to protect your assets and your family’s inheritance from creditors, divorce, and lawsuits.
• Long Term Care Planning – How to avoid losing your life savings.
• Next Spouse Protection – How to protect your assets from your surviving spouse’s next spouse.
• Probate – What is it and how to prevent it.
• Estate Taxes – What are they, and how to minimize or eliminate.
• Medicaid and Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefits – The latest laws and how to qualify for the benefits.
• IRA Protection – How to take advantage of maximizing income tax “stretch out.”
• Special Needs – How to provide for special needs (disabled) children and grandchildren.
• Legacy Planning – Good planning involves more than money. Learn some powerful tools to help instill important values in younger generation family members.

Light fare and refreshments will be served. RSVPs are required for these events, so please respond to this email or use the RSVP links provided to secure your seat!

We look forward to hosting you!

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Tags: estate planning, Workshops
Posted in News | Comments Off on Elville and Associates to Host Series of Estate Planning Workshops October 22nd – 24th in Columbia/Ellicott City

While the US economy is in a cycle of more than ten years of economic growth, its citizens, even the “wealthy” ones, are worried about running out of cash and are scared to spend. Bloomberg.com is reporting many retirees, and near-retirees are sitting on their wealth in much the same way large corporations are hoarding stockpiles of cash. Even famed investor Warren Buffet and his multinational conglomerate holding company Berkshire Hathaway Inc are side-lining cash in excess of $122 billion.

Americans are experiencing a strong economy. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is steadily growing. There are low-interest rates, low unemployment, a stable currency, and more than $1 trillion of available investor cash. For those retirees who are financially well off then, why is there anxiety about money and reluctance to enjoy it in retirement years? Yes, many of the wealthy are planning on leaving a legacy to their heirs, but something else is happening.

Wealth in the US is becoming more concentrated among fewer households. Consolidating wealth is like consolidating power. Ultimately there is little difference between the two. The Americans who have most benefited from this ten-year boom cycle in the American economy are averse to spending their money. They want to survive an economic downturn and still maintain their elite financial status. This conservative approach will likely guarantee them a very comfortable lifestyle even in the event of bleak financial times. Former Brookings Institution fellow Matt Fellowes states, “It’s trillions and trillions of wealth that is not benefiting anyone except asset managers.” The rich, sitting on their wealth, create stagnant money, which negatively impacts the vitality of the American economy.

The Federal Reserve provides a quarterly balance sheet of all individual and charitable monies and America’s combined net worth now stands at $109 trillion. It is a lot of money; however, it has disproportionately flowed to the wealthy. Celebrity and wealth-obsessed culture saturates Americans with images of the rich with expensive real estate, private jets, and yachts, and attending posh philanthropic parties. The reality of the average millionaire in America is far more frugal than their Instagram and paparazzi driven counterparts. Retirement experts often disagree as to why these conservative millionaires are unwilling to enjoy the fruits of their lifelong labors.

Being cautious with money is inherently prudent, particularly at the height of an economic boom cycle. Even without market uncertainty, a key characteristic of modern capitalist economies is a boom-bust cycle. A process of economic expansion (boom) will be followed by economic contraction (bust), and the cycle occurs repeatedly.

All Americans, even the wealthy ones, are experiencing an uncertainty about their economic future. Will their rate of return on investments be able to address increasing medical costs? Will they have enough streams of income to support themselves when taking into account their longevity risk? Collectively, Americans are not saving enough to accomplish a successful retirement. However, individually, wealthy Americans are fearful of losing their financial position in a severe market downturn. These wealthy Americans have already lived through harsh economic times, particularly the Great Recession. This economic bust was triggered by the subprime mortgage crisis and the collapse of the US housing market bubble. Market bubbles present themselves from time to time, and if the free market successfully deleverages them, there is little economic incident. But when the bottom drops out, bleak economic times follow.

Once you achieve wealth, it becomes an inherent part of your identity, and consequently spending your wealth is like spending your own identity’s capital. Additionally, as you age, the tendency is to become more risk-averse, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). With the bulk of the wealth of America in older households than in previous decades, it is no surprise that risk-averse strategies are in play. A lifetime spent acquiring wealth and watching accounts and investments mature then morphs into retirement years of asset spending and the dilution of wealth. The majority of wealthy Americans are not keen to adapt to the life cycle of asset accumulation followed by retirement spending. Their preference is to live frugally, retaining as many assets as possible to be able to ride out an economic downturn.

Planning for retirement can be stressful. Having a proper estate plan in place can eliminate much of the stress, especially when it comes to transferring assets to children who may not be ready to handle large sums of money.

We can help. Give Elville & Associates a call at any of our Maryland locations to discuss your wishes at (443) 393-7696, and how to design a plan that will help carry those wishes out.

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A family caregiving meeting is an essential tool when dealing with the care of an aging loved one. These meetings are beneficial for helping to keep all family members abreast of decisions that need to be made, changes in diagnosis or prognosis, and helps to ensure that all family members feel that they have a voice. Family meetings can also help to keep caregiving responsibilities from falling solely on the shoulders of one family member. In addition, family caregiving meetings can foster cooperation among family members and lessen the stress associated with caring for an aging loved one.

Who should attend a family caregiving meeting?

There are a number of people who should be included in a family caregiving meeting. First and foremost, it is important to include the aging loved one in the meeting whenever possible. This helps the aging loved one to feel that they are being heard and that their opinions and thoughts are being considered. If a spouse is living, the spouse should be included, as well as any children and possibly siblings of the aging person. Some families may choose to include other family members, but this really varies from one family to another. Anyone else involved in care for the person should also be there. This could include paid caregivers, family friends, or neighbors. Depending on family dynamics, a facilitator can be helpful in running the meeting.

When should a family have a caregiving meeting?

First, it is important to note that family caregiving meetings are not a one and done event. They must occur on a regular basis. The first family meeting can occur before an aging loved one actually needs care. This can give the person who may eventually need care more say in their future care, but oftentimes this does not occur. Most families find that the initial meeting needs to occur when an aging loved when begins to show signs of needing care or when a diagnosis is given that determines care will soon be needed. In addition, meetings should be scheduled regularly to discuss changes in the diagnosis, prognosis, or general needs of the loved one or the caregivers.

How can a family hold a successful caregiving meeting?

The key to having a successful caregiving meeting is cooperation. This doesn’t mean that family members will agree on everything, but it is important that all family members are respectfully heard and considered. Families must be willing to compromise and seek the best plan for their aging loved ones. Additionally, a smoothly run meeting should have an agenda and families should try to stay focused on the items included on the agenda. When holding a meeting, always put things in writing and be sure that all those involved get a copy of the important information and everyone’s responsibilities.

What challenges do families face in caregiving meetings?

One of the biggest challenges to family caregiving meetings is the family’s history. All families have their own dynamics that can cause problems in a caregiving meeting. There may be members of the family who are at odds with one another. This can become an obstacle to having a successful caregiving meeting. The role that each family member plays can be a challenge. Some members may be overbearing and demand control, while others are peacemakers and do not feel free to share their thoughts. Another challenge is that some family members may be in denial of the severity of an aging loved one’s needs. This may make it difficult to get a consensus for care.

Family caregiving meetings are beneficial and necessary when an aging loved one can no longer care for themselves. These meetings can help to divide the responsibilities of caregiving and reduce the stress placed on the family members. It is important that families remember that the meetings are for the care of their loved one and cooperate with one another to help the process to run more smoothly and successfully.

If you have any questions about something you have read or would like additional information, please feel free to contact Elville & Associates in Columbia, Maryland by clicking here to send us a message or by calling us at (443) 393-7696.

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Tags: Annual Client Education Event
Posted in News | Comments Off on Elville and Associates’ 2019 Annual Client Event — “What Families Need to Know about Planning for Loved Ones with Disabilities”

The prevalence of autism is on the rise in the US. Because the condition first manifests itself before the age of 3, the majority of people receiving new diagnoses are under the age of 6. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a broad range of behavioral conditions that include challenges with social skills, speech, and nonverbal communication as well as repetitive behaviors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now estimate that autism affects 1 in 59 children in the United States. That number has been steadily increasing in the past decade.

Autism is a very plural condition as there are many subtypes, primarily influenced by the environmental and genetic factors and has varying degrees of severity. Individuals coping with autism have distinct sets of strengths and challenges. That is why people are characterized as being on an autism spectrum because the individual scale of learning, thinking and problem-solving skills can range from highly skilled to severely challenged. Some who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be able to live entirely independently while others may require some to significant support in their daily lives.

Federal and state programs help assist families with children and young adults who have ASD. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) federal law outlines rights and regulations for US students who require special education. The US Department of Education website outlines the basics of IDEA in simple terms. Are these services available until the young adult reaches the age of 22 and then what? There is a vast continuum of diagnosed and undiagnosed adults who are struggling to make sense of life while living with ASD.

Autism Speaks is an organization that calls on legislators and public health agencies like the National Institute of Health to promote research and advancements in understanding the increased prevalence of and complex medical needs that often accompany a person with autism. There has recently been a call to double the budget to advance research and create policies that better provide individual support and services as autistic children transition to adulthood and need employment and residential options.

For people afflicted, autism is a lifelong condition and there is an unacceptable gap in our awareness of their needs particularly as children age out of federal school programs at 22 and are left to struggle with areas of basic life skills such as employment, housing, and social inclusion. Children with autism eventually become adults with autism. While some autistic adults become very successful, even famous for their success in arts and sciences (Albert Einstein, Dan Aykroyd, and others) others languish in their inability to navigate a complex world.

Wherever an adult finds themselves in the autism spectrum, there are specific basic needs which mirror those adults without the challenge of ASD, and they are friendship, support, and opportunity. The mechanisms and interpretation of communication may differ but the human need is the same. Reliance on tax-funded programs is not always the best way to approach the needs to sustain them as funding and programs come and go. The real solution to meet the needs of adults with autism is essentially the same as the needs of children with autism. People in their families and communities must help their autistic loved one to make sense of and live in a complex world. The collective belief that they have abilities and strengths are can help reduce their anxieties. Accommodating support in ASD sufferer’s efforts to meet challenges and their own special needs can go a long way in assisting them to live more independent and successful lives.

Are federal and state programs available? Are there community outreach programs that help young adults transition to independent living past the age of 22? Adults with autism differ from one another just as it is for children on the spectrum.

If you have questions or would like to discuss your particular situation, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact Elville & Associates in Columbia, Maryland by sending us a message here or by dialing us at (443) 393-7696.

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Your senior years should not be plagued with money woes. The stress that money problems bring not only ruins your aging experience but can also be disastrous to your health. Rising health care costs and your increased need for health care can add up to big bills that can further tax your health. To age well, you must use sound financial judgment as well as make healthy choices for your body and mind. The goal is to remain as healthy as you can for as long as you can and have a healthy bank account to support those goals. Beyond the obvious, such as choosing the right insurance plan and saving money for retirement, there are other strategies you can implement to further a successful and happy retirement.

Chronic stress is known to worsen health problems and can also accelerate the aging process. Though everyone experiences and handles stress differently, it is important to identify the specific stresses in your life and hone in on its source to be able to address it adequately. Relationship stress, family stress, and work stress can be treated through meditation and gentle yoga. The more you practice, the more significant the mental and physical benefits you experience.

In the case of financial stress, meditation will not save you. You need a concrete plan to approach your problem. Develop a budget that will address which debts you need to pay off first and stick to the program. Learn to avoid excessive spending that puts you in a debt cycle. Once you are as debt-free as reasonably possible, learn ways to increase your savings.

An easy way to lower your expenditures and increase your savings is to view the world as your gym. Thirty minutes of brisk walking five days a week in your neighborhood is excellent for your body and your mind. Bring your cell phone, but only use it in the event of an emergency. Take in the outdoors around you and let your mind be free. You can be active doing leg extensions or squats in your own home. You can do several ballet plies while cooking a meal and toe raises while brushing your teeth. Before you get out of bed in the morning move your pillow out of the way and stretch out your spine; arms overhead and extending through your toes. The idea is to connect your daily routine activities to a specific exercise and do it every time you enter into that everyday behavior. If you have physical limitations, talk to your doctor before implementing at-home exercises or neighborhood walks.

Learn to limit the portions of food you eat. We are a nation of overeaters. In many countries around the world, it is unheard of to have a “to go” box from a lunch or dinner that is too big for consumption in one sitting. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020 recommend active men over 65 need 2,600 calories daily, while sedentary men require just 2,000; for women, it’s 2,000 if active, and 1,600 daily calories if sedentary. Pass on the heaping helping and pass on a second helping. By limiting the amount of food you eat, you can maintain a more healthy weight, which in turn can improve your health and longevity, as well as save money.

If you have room in your yard, start a vegetable garden, plant some fruit trees, and involve your friends to share in the workload and the resulting produce. If you don’t have a yard, join a community garden. Growing your food is an excellent way to increase the number of fruits and vegetables you eat and has the added benefits of making you physically active and socially engaged. By making a garden a group effort, you can prevent isolation which for many older adults is a risk factor for everything from depression to hypertension. If you have problems kneeling or being down on the ground, try using raised garden beds or even try gutter gardening. Gutter gardens are a simple way to grow vegetables that have minimal roots in gutters that are affixed to an outside wall at a height that is comfortable for you. Gutter gardens also remove the problem of bugs in the soil. A fruit and vegetable garden will lower your grocery bill and shift your eating habits to a more healthful plant-based diet.  Learn how to can or freeze your produce if you have a short growing season where you live.

Make a small investment to solve a significant problem. A grab bar in the shower or lowering the height of your bed can help you prevent a range of serious injuries from a fall. Fractures and head traumas often result in a rapid health decline and even death. Improve your balance with gentle tai chi exercises. Be sure you have adequate lighting in your home. Fix uneven floorboards and get rid of throw rugs. By being mindful of how you move through your home you can avoid an unnecessary fall which will save you money by avoiding medical treatment and might even save your life.

Kick bad habits and start with smoking. Just because you have not already developed lung cancer after decades of smoking does not mean you won’t, nor will it help prevent other lung problems like emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Replace a bad habit with a good one as proposed above. If you drink alcohol on a daily basis or sometimes to excess, consider cutting back or quitting altogether. Alcohol contributes to unsteadiness on your feet and can precipitate you to fall. Do not take more than the prescribed dosage of painkillers or anti-anxiety medications and never mix them with alcohol. It is easy to become addicted to these drugs as you age because often they are used in the treatment of chronic conditions. You can build a tolerance to them and need progressively stronger doses. Try to find alternative ways to address your pain or anxiety. Cut back on sugar and fatty foods.

If your day is not structured, create a schedule. Try to eat at regular times as well as have a predictable bedtime and wake up call. Your body will appreciate the regularity of life. Kicking bad habits to the curb can help you enjoy your retirement years with greater energy and health as well as save you a lot of money on bad habits that are expensive. Don’t tax your wallet and your well being.

There are many techniques for aging well and preserving your bank account. Some methods are simple while others require guidance by trusted counsel. Reduce the financial stresses of your retirement and contact our office today and schedule an appointment to discuss how we can help you with your planning.

Get in touch with Elville & Associates in our main office in Columbia, Maryland by sending us a message here or by dialing us at (443) 393-7696.

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