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While many people who try to provide long term care for an elderly relative utilize some of the best Philadelphia Financial Planners, New Jersey wealth management groups, or NJ private wealth management firms, they often do not plan for the emotional response of the loved one they take care of.  It is important to realize the emotional implications of aging as well as the financial and medical.

“The holiday season is quickly coming upon us. If you are a caregiver for an elderly loved one, you may notice a change in your loved one’s mood as the holidays approach. Perhaps you are one of many, who visit elderly parents and family during the holidays who live a distance away. When you visit you may notice that loved ones are not as physically active, or they show symptoms of fatigue or sadness and have no interest in the holiday or in their surroundings.

According to the National Institutes of Health; of the 35 million Americans age 65 or older, about 2 million suffer from full-blown depression. Another 5 million suffer from less severe forms of the illness. This represents about 20% of the senior population — a significant proportion.

Depression in the elderly is difficult to diagnose and is frequently untreated. The symptoms may be confused with a medical illness, dementia, or malnutrition due to a poor diet. Many older people will not accept the idea that they have depression and refuse to seek treatment.

What causes depression in the elderly?
It is not the actual holiday that causes depression, but the fact that holidays tend to bring memories of earlier, perhaps happier times. Additional contributing factors that bring on depression may be the loss of a spouse or close friend, or a move from a home to assisted living, or a change with an older person’s routine.

Depression may also be a sign of a medical problem. Chronic pain or complications of an illness or memory loss can also cause depression. In addition, diet can also be a factor when proper nutrition and vitamins are lacking.

As an example, Selma’s husband passed away, a few months before Christmas. Her family lived close by and would call or drop in often to check on her. Selma seemed a little preoccupied and tired, but this was to be expected as she had been the caregiver for her husband for many years. It wasn’t until the family noticed that her holiday decorations were not out and her yearly routine of Christmas card writing was not happening that they began questioning her mental and physical well being.

A trip to her physician confirmed depression, caused by not only the loss of her spouse, but a vitamin B12 deficiency. There were both mental and physical reasons for her depression.

Symptoms to look for in depression might include:

• Depressed or irritable mood
• Feelings of worthlessness or sadness
• Expressions of helplessness
• Anxiety
• Loss of interest in daily activities
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Lack of attending to personal care and hygiene
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irresponsible behavior
• Obsessive thoughts about death
• Talk about suicide”

By understanding that emotions also play a significant role in the aging process, it is just as easy to find a financial advisor or utilize a financial planning guide while understanding that a relative may be suffering from emotional distress.  Some groups, like Geriatric Care, allow for not only the financial but the emotional problems to be dealt with.

One of the most difficult things to do in the current economy is understand how to control your finances with the tax laws and other new proposals that the current office is establishing.  By using an NJ wealth management firm, or a Certified Financial Planner in Philadelphia, or even a financial planning guide, this can be more easily dealt with.

“Concerned with the current economy and your estate?

You’re not the only one.

The bottom line is either you’ve prepared your assets and investments for after you’ve died or you have not. There is no grey area. But careful, even those who may think they’re prepared are greatly misled. Why? Because they filled out their estate planning documentation and Will once and left it alone. No, a prepared individual should plan, review, and revise the documentation and Will at least once a year.

As your children grow and grandchildren appear in the picture, the way you want to allocate those assets may change vastly. This is why it’s important to stay on top of the documentation.

Remember that an “I love you Will” (will that gives all assets to the surviving spouse) is a popular way to avoid any taxation from the state or federal levels. Also certain gift tax exclusions exist such as an unlimited exemption dedicated to education and medical expenses. While the current hold on gift tax exclusions is $13,000, the education and medical expense write-offs are unlimited and do not put a hold on the amount given to the beneficiary.

President Obama’s proposed budget for 2010-11 desires to keep the exemption set at $3.5 million.

Because of the uncertainty with taxes, the answer for everyone is not clear. There is no simple answer for everybody. No strict rules to play by. There are a lot of factors that go into accounts as to who may want to defer and who may not. That is why it’s important to review your documentation with your financial advisor.

Yes, the current “Robin Hood effect” is taking place in Congress and shared by President Obama. The deduction caps and a lower taxation exemption could hurt the wealthy in the near future and the assets left behind after they pass.

Protect yourself and your family any way possible.”

By using this type of advice, it will be easier to find a financial advisor to suit your needs.  A Philadelphia wealth management group or an NJ financial planner could fill the need, as could financial planning help from just about anywhere.