Estate planning

You think the cost-of-living these days is expensive? Just wait until you see the cost-of-dying! According to a recent article in The Washington Post, the dire reality of how expensive the last days of your life can be is not well known to most people. Yet it’s critically important when…

If you know, you know. That is, if you’re a pet owner (dog, cat, or other), having a pet in your life is usually a non-negotiable, deeply pleasurable experience (while not denying the responsibilities of pet ownership). The dilemma is, for those of us getting on in years, owning and…

The headlines are jarring, heralding a crisis that already exists for all too many of us. Aging solo, whether you’re single, a widow or widower, divorced, without children or close relatives, or estranged from loved ones, is a tough row to hoe, especially as costs are rising, affordable and appropriate…

Data has shown that there’s an ever-growing community of people aging on their own, without the support or companionship of a partner, adult child, or other loved ones. According to a recent AARP survey, 21% of US adults age 50 and above live alone, representing 24 million people, including one…

As we’re heading toward the end of the year, are you considering a “clean sweep” of your life and environment, and planning for something new to look forward to? Maybe you’re reading up on how to downsize your home and belongings or clear out the clutter that overwhelms your residence….

None of us leaves this world alive, and as Dame Cicely Saunders once said, “How people die remains in the memory of those who live on.” We are therefore fortunate to live in an era when the option of having a “death doula” has become more commonplace in helping individuals…