Banking

• Article - How to Protect Your Parents from Fraud

  Common financial scams that target the elderly -- and how you can help your parents avoid them.

• Checklist - 9 Things to Automate When a Forgetful Parent Wants to Continue Living at Home

  Tasks and chores you can take off your parent's hands so that they can stay independent longer.

Blog Posts

• Blog Post - Social Security Benefits: Getting Carded?

  Social Security recipients will soon be able to get their monthly benefits loaded onto a pre-paid debit card. If your parents are getting their checks via direct deposit, they should probably stick with that system and not switch over to the debit cards because of the fees and hassles that come with the Direct Express debit card. But for people who wait for the postman to deliver their monthly check, the new debit card may be a better option.

• Blog Post - Seniors Hit Hard By Overdraft Charges

  High banking fees are hitting senior citizens hard, but seniors can protect themselves by monitoring their account online.

• Blog Post - Reverse Mortgages: Looking for Trouble?

  Reverse mortgages--a loan for people ages 62 and older...

• Blog Post - Tax Rebate Update

  If your parents tax rebate hasn't arrived yet, they aren't alone. If their tax rebate is missing, check the IRS Web site for help.

Questions & Answers

• Question - Do we need a court order for the bank stating my mother is unable to handle her financial affairs any longer?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Who are the best long term care providers and reverse mortgage companies?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Is there a financial planner (book) one could purchase for...

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - If I'm the partner on a friend's checking account, is it legal for me to distribute the funds after death?

  Being a joint owner on a bank account basically entitles you to treat the money as your own.

• Question - With both my parents in the hospital, how can I pay their bills?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - Should I get a reverse mortgage or a bank loan for my elderly folks?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Do I still have power of attorney over my mother's bank accounts even though she's passed away?

  Once a parent dies, you may need to freeze a bank account to keep out those who might misuse the money left.

• Question - What can I cook for my diabetic husband?

  Find tips on how to help your newly diagnosed partner or parent with diabetes eat well.

• Question - Should we get a home equity line of credit in order to pay for nursing home care until my parent's home is sold?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What steps are required to get a conservatorship?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How can we find out if my mother-in-law had a will?

  If a search in the obvious places doesn't turn up a will, try a few less obvious ones.

• Question - Do my parents need to get divorced to qualify for Medicaid?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - If my dad and I jointly own a home, can Medicaid still take it to pay for long-term care expenses associated with a nursing home?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - My mother was recently involved in an internet dating scam...

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What documents does Medicaid ask for from an applicant?

  Medicaid asks applicants about all income and assets of any type, as well as support from others and any transfers of property within five years.

• Question - What are the risks with reverse mortgages?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What authority is needed to gather a parent's documents for Medicaid?

  When you want to access your parent's health records, do you need a durable power of attorney for healthcare? Or can HIPAA prevent it even with one?

• Question - Who is responsible for paying for my mother's care?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What's a Totten Trust and how does it work?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I reconcile the debt of my late father?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How soon after my parent's death do I need to begin administering her will, and what's involved?

  How soon after my parent's death do I need to administer their estate and other financial affairs? What other legal matters should I be aware of?

• Question - Financial help when a parent leaves a nursing home to live with family?

  A low-income elder who leaves a nursing home to live with family may get help from Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid.

• Question - Will my stepmother be financially responsible for my dad's care once his insurance money runs out?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I get Medicare to pay for my wife's glasses?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - My parents are 81 & 82, my father was in a bad car accident...

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - How do I make sure my mother's personal information travels with her?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Why has my mother-in-law become so irresponsible with her money since her stroke?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What can I do if my co-executor will not meet with me?

  Co-executors are both legally responsible for winding up an estate within a reasonable time. If you can't get the other person to cooperate, act quickly to right the wrong.

Tips & Reflections

• Tip - Monitor Your Parents' Bank Account Online

  Seniors don't always know when they're being scammed...

• Tip - Where to Check the Form of Property Ownership

  Learn how to determine the form of ownership for your parents' property.

News

• News - Corneal Transplants Can Carry Infection Risk

  TUESDAY, Feb. 12 (HealthDay News) -- People who donate...

• News - Study Finds Older Corneas Suitable for Transplantation

  TUESDAY, April 1 (HealthDay News) -- People up to the...