Kristen R. Matthews, Esq

Some Older Adults May Qualify for a New $6,000 Tax Break

As of the 2025 tax year, many older Americans may realize a new tax benefit thanks to a provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The law, signed in July 2025, created a new annual tax deduction of up to $6,000 for taxpayers age 65 and older. Though the deduction is currently scheduled to expire […]

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New Research on Dementia Risk Factors, Screenings

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

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

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’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

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

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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The Effects of Family Caregiving on Older Adults

Most people tend to marry someone who is within a few years of their own age. As a result, many married couples share the same cultural touchstones, social memories, and general values. Certain phases of life often coincide as they grow older together, as they may share similarly timed career paths and enter retirement around

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Why Seniors Are Choosing to Work Past Retirement Age

Many Americans are worried they won’t have enough money saved to retire, and a cohort of the oldest workers is proving this concern to be legitimate. Nearly half a million Americans over the age of 80 are still working, while the 75-plus demographic is the fastest-growing segment of the workforce. For some, the choice to

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