Estate Planning

When a loved one is facing memory loss or increasing care needs, families often focus on day-to-day support — doctor’s appointments, medications, home-care services, and emotional care. But one critical planning task is easy to overlook: reviewing beneficiary designations. These designations control who receives certain assets outside of probate, including: Bank accounts with POD/TOD instructions

November shines a light on two deeply connected causes—Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month. Together, they remind us that planning ahead is one of the most loving acts we can do for those who care for us. For Maine families, where aging, memory loss, and long-term care needs often intersect, estate planning is

In Maine, family members play an essential role in supporting aging parents, spouses, relatives, and neighbors who can no longer fully care for themselves. These caregivers are often the first — and sometimes the only — source of help. Whether they are assisting with meals, mobility, medication management, transportation, personal care, or emotional support, they

For years, confirming a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease required expensive brain scans or an uncomfortable spinal tap. That is now changing. In 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first blood test that can help doctors detect early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. This breakthrough may make diagnosis faster, easier, and more accessible

Each fall, as Open Enrollment season begins, Mainers are reminded to review their health insurance coverage and make sure it still meets their needs. But if you or a loved one receive MaineCare, you might wonder — does open enrollment affect me? The short answer is: usually no action is required, but it’s still an important time to check that your