BoomerTime with Nancy Cogar

Halloween is here. I don’t celebrate Halloween because I think life is scary enough on its own. That being said, I thought we would share some of those so-called horror stories when to legal issues – not to scare you necessarily – but more so that you can avoid the same or similar thing happening to you.

So I’m sharing true tales from the legal crypt and legal nightmares are definitely not a treat. I have left out the names and the location to protect those individual and these are not necessarily stories that I’ve experienced as an attorney (although some of them may be), but some have been circulated through the legal community over time as warnings – because they are just that bad.

We lawyers will tell you that these are the same kind of fact patterns and crazy scenarios that some times end up on the bar exam because they are so unbelievable. I have also learned during my years of practice that the truth is always stranger than fiction and you don’t need to look forward far to find it. Right?

So go ahead and buckle yourself in for a trip through legal horror stories – I hope you will take away a few lessons from the mistake of others who have gone before you, right? I hope so.

🔑 For Estate Planning help, visit NancyCogar.com
🎙️ Listen to the Boomer Time with Nancy Cogar podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and on YouTube
✨Follow on Instagram @nancy.cogar

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website and on the podcast is not intended to be considered as legal advice or constitute an attorney/client relationship as provided under the Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct.

We are going to be talking about a tough but important topic – hoarding.  You’ve seen those shows.  Maybe you can’t bear to watch them – it’s really difficult and people can get themselves in very complicated and dangerous situations.  But it’s more common that you might think.

Hoarding – the word is even tough and it's more of an issue that you might think.  Lots of us can simply accumulate too many things and when you’re older than can create some special problems:  

Hoarding disorder can cause a variety of complications, including:

Aging exacerbates the dangers of hoarding. Changes with vision, cognitive abilities, and energy levels, as well as chronic health problems, can make hoarding more hazardous. Cluttered homes also put seniors at an increased risk for falls. They may be unable to use a walker or wheelchair inside their residences.

While about 2 percent of the general population struggles with accumulating too many objects, hoarding impacts over 6 percent of people aged 65 and older.

The proportion of older Americans is expected to increase from 16 percent in 2019 to 25 percent in 2060. With an aging population, hoarding behavior may become more prevalent.

Listen along to this episode as I unravel some considerations related to hoarding, hoarding disorder and how you can be of help.

🔑 For Estate Planning help, visit NancyCogar.com
🎙️ Listen to the Boomer Time with Nancy Cogar podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and on YouTube
✨Follow on Instagram @nancy.cogar

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website and on the podcast is not intended to be considered as legal advice or constitute an attorney/client relationship as provided under the Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct.

I spent the afternoon with Producer Nea Paris to read some Reddit questions regarding Estate Planning and how I would address matters in the context of Tennessee law where I practice. Want to know my take on these questions? Then listen closely. We may go over a question you may have about all things Elder Law and Estate Planning.

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Nancy A. Cogar, Esq., has a Tennessee-based practice in estate planning, elder law, long-term care planning & advocacy for older adults. As a partner with Samples, Jennings, Clem & Fields, PLLC, she is committed to comprehensive, competent & compassionate advocacy for seniors, caregivers and families navigating aging and the incoming Silver Tsunami.

🔑 For help, visit NancyCogar.com

🎙️ Listen to the Boomer Time with Nancy Cogar podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and on YouTube

✨Follow on Instagram @nancy.cogar

In this episode, I discuss emergency preparedness for seniors in the wake of Hurricane Helene, and now with Milton emerging in Florida.

I want to make sure resources reach those in need, and mentioned in this episode is an emergency preparedness checklist of recommended items to check for when severe and catastrophic weather is in the forecast. This is in the event that you are without food and power.

During this time you also need to be wary of scammers who want to take advantage of a horrific situation. Be sure to give to reputable sources, including:

You can also visit FTC.gov to learn about the latest scams, especially those surrounding the events of Hurricane Helene.

🔑 For Estate Planning help, visit NancyCogar.com
🎙️ Listen to the Boomer Time with Nancy Cogar podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and on YouTube
✨Follow on Instagram @nancy.cogar

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website and on the podcast is not intended to be considered as legal advice or constitute an attorney/client relationship as provided under the Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct.

Dr. Terry Loher has always had a heart for helping others. Not only did he serve in the United States Navy for seven years as a hospital corpsman, but he also worked as a paramedic during his time off until he was honorably discharged due to a severe neck injury that left him with constant neck pain, immense headaches, and continuous arm numbness. Desperate for relief, he was referred to and sought out a trusted chiropractor that would prove to change his life forever.

He joins me in this episode to discuss fall prevention and how seniors to age in place, plus stories. Dr. Loher shares that chiropractic practitioners have been recognized as having a key role in preventing falls in aging populations.

By the way, how's your proprioception? Dr. Loher explains what that is and why it's important for seniors.

Did you know that, according to a survey, 66% of seniors who did not see a chiropractor reported arthritis, but only 44% of seniors reported arthritis when they did see a chiropractor. Listen along as Dr. Loher expands on the benefits of chiropractic care for the aging. He also shares that chiropractic visits are quite efficient and convenient in terms of time.

Resources mentioned in this podcast:

Do you enjoy travel or want to enjoy travel? Don't wanderlust without listening to Boomer Time Episode 41, where I share some stories about seniors and scenarios that help to illustrate the reasons why you should take precautions when traveling in your Golden Years.

In this episode, I include tips on what to pack for your next excursion, plus official recommendations specific to the needs of seniors.

Plus, I've included a downloadable checklist for older travelers from the U.S. Department of State. We hope you'll find this helpful as you prepare for upcoming holiday travel plans. Visit me at www.nancycogar.com for this and more helpful resources.

Greetings from Kylemore Abbey in the heart of Connemara on the west coast of Ireland. Can you hear the bells clanging to call the nuns to their noontime prayer time? Kylemore is in the mountains and was the first abbey to be established in Ireland by Benedictine nuns who fled from Belgium to escape the first World War.  It is a beautiful and peaceful place today. The building was initially established as a romantic gift from a husband to his wife… Lord Henry and later become the abbey.  It includes the convent, original house and a farm where they still grow vegetables, fruits and flowers. It’s a popular place to visit.  

I made a recent trip to Ireland and came home with some lovely memories and experiences that I will share in this episode, and also some impressions on how the elderly live and interact with their communities there and spent some time looking at how the Republic of Ireland (which is independent national separate from England) deals with the issue of aging population. 

They’ve got a lot of the same issues there with the overall community aging and the younger community either dependent on their elders financially and otherwise or leaving the country for jobs elsewhere. I have some interesting observations to share so listen along in Episode 40: A view from across the pond – a few reflections on aging from Ireland.

Join the Boomer Time community! Tell us what you think about the show at ⁠⁠⁠⁠NancyCogar.com⁠⁠⁠⁠, subscribe to my newsletter and gain helpful resources to help you or your loved one navigate aging with confidence.

Elder abuse is a prevalent issue affecting 1 in 10 seniors annually, with family members, often adult children or spouses, being the primary perpetrators. Various forms of abuse exist, including financial, physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological abuse, as well as neglect and abandonment.

Recognizing signs of abuse is crucial, as many cases go unreported. Warning signs might include unexplained injuries, changes in behavior, or unusual financial transactions. Legal and support systems are in place to protect seniors. Reporting suspected abuse to Adult Protective Services, law enforcement, or long-term care ombudsmen is essential.

Individuals can take preventive measures by staying connected with loved ones, planning for financial security, and being aware of potential scams targeting seniors. Resources like the National Domestic Violence Hotline and Tennessee-specific helplines are available for victims and those concerned about elder abuse, and I've included these resources in the show notes.

Definition of elder abuse: Elder abuse is defined as “an intentional act or failure to act that causes or  creates a risk of harm to an older adult” (age 60 or older).

Nearly half (47) percent of all calls reporting elder abuse involved family members as the perpetrators. That’s according to the National Center on Elder Abuse. The majority of elder abuse is committed by family members, and in particular adult children. Other common culprits are people in positions of trust or power, such as agents under Powers of Attorney and caregivers. 

This is a significant issue that we are going to talk about in this episode. Indications of these cases are  increasing as many as 1 in 5 senior adults have experiences some form of elder abuse. Only 1 in 24 cases of abuse are reported to authorities.

Would you know how to recognize elder abuse? Do you know what to do if you see it? What if you are the victim of some form of exploitation or abuse? How do you protect yourself? We are going to talk about that and more in this episode. Plus, I'd appreciate if you'd listen until the end to hear a few stories that can help you grasp the severity and importance of this topic. Information is power.

Most important: If you or an older adult that you know is in an immediate, life-threatening danger, call 9-1-1.

Join the Boomer Time community! Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠NancyCogar.com⁠⁠⁠, subscribe to my newsletter and gain helpful resources to help you or your loved one navigate aging with confidence.

This episode begins with some questions that you may find very uncomfortable. Listen along and ask yourself if you've properly planned ahead for your care and if you know who you can trust to make decisions for you and your estate when the time comes.

I encourage people to plan ahead for it, which is why I've included a downloadable form for Tennessee residents. I also recommend sitting with an elder law attorney (like myself) to supervise. You don't want to make mistakes with this process.

Are you in Tennessee? Then download this resource to help you get started with the Advance Directive process.