Kristen R. Matthews, Esq

A Guide to the SSI and SSDI Appeals Process for Older Adults

Leave a Comment / Uncategorized /

Receiving a denial for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits can feel discouraging, especially for older adults who may already be dealing with health challenges, reduced income, or caregiving responsibilities. The good news is that a denial is not the end of the road. Many people who are initially denied benefits are later approved […]

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Digital Tools to Protect Older Adults From Financial Abuse

Leave a Comment / senior living /

Older adults lose billions of dollars each year to financial abuse and exploitation. In 2025, adults aged 60 and older in the United States reported $2.4 billion in losses to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), per CNBC. Because so many incidents go unreported, the FTC estimates that the actual cost of elder financial abuse and

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New Research on Dementia Risk Factors, Screenings

Healthcare Decisions, senior living /

With an estimated one in 10 older adults in the United States living with dementia, there is a growing focus on early detection and prevention. Dementia encompasses diseases that impair memory and cause cognitive decline. Common types of dementia include Alzheimer’s disease (the leading cause), Lewy Body dementia, and vascular dementia. Most forms of dementia worsen over

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How Higher Medicare Costs Will Affect Older Adults in 2026

Medicare /

At a time when we are frequently confronting the rising cost of living, Medicare enrollees will soon see a rise in their premiums and deductibles. In mid-November 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the Medicare Parts A and B premiums and deductibles for 2026. What’s Changing in 2026 Perhaps the most notable change is the

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Overcoming Challenges in Guardianship Cases for Older Adults

Guardianship/Conservatorship /

When an older adult with dementia or another cognitive disability can no longer make important decisions for themselves, such as how to manage their money or what kind of care they need, a trusted person may have to step in and make these decisions for them. If the incapacitated older adult has a valid health care and

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Medicare Open Enrollment Scams: How to Protect Yourself

Medicare /

Medicare’s open enrollment period, which runs from October 15 through December 7, is the time for millions of Americans to review their health coverage, compare plans, and make changes for the upcoming year. A second open enrollment period for Medicare Advantage plans will follow from January 1 through March 31. Unfortunately, these times also bring a surge

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Affordable Housing Is Getting Scarce for Older Adults

Retirement Planning /

In a recent webinar about the status of federal housing assistance for older adults in the United States, nonprofit organizations Justice in Aging and the National Low Income Housing Coalition partnered to offer attendees a brief overview of the housing pressures currently facing older Americans. The presenters also outlined the federal policy threats that exist and potential opportunities for improving the

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Getting Help for a Parent With Memory Loss

Healthcare Decisions /

When an aging parent shows signs of memory loss, confusion, or cognitive decline, getting them to seek help can be a challenge. Delays in obtaining a diagnosis of dementia are common, with Sci Tech Daily reporting that it takes an average of three-and-a-half years between noticeable symptoms of cognitive decline and a diagnosis. Yet obtaining timely diagnoses

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