Splaine Consulting

06/05/2026

Family caregivers often shoulder significant out-of-pocket expenses while supporting aging loved ones.

The bipartisan Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act would provide meaningful financial relief by allowing caregivers to use HSA, FSA, HRA, and Archer MSA funds to cover qualified medical expenses for a parent or parent-in-law.

We believe family caregivers deserve greater support and will continue to monitor this important bill as it moves through Congress.

Learn more: https://www.aarp.org/advocacy/lowering-caregiver-costs-2025/

AARP backs legislation reducing out‑of‑pocket medical costs for previously ineligible family members

06/04/2026

Did you know Medicare now covers comprehensive dementia care through the GUIDE Model?

GUIDE helps people living with dementia and their caregivers by providing care coordination, 24/7 support, caregiver education, connections to community resources, and up to $2,500 per year for respite care.

If you or a loved one has dementia and Medicare, ask your doctor: "Do you participate in the GUIDE Model?"
If not, ask for a referral to a provider that does.

Learn more: https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/innovation-models/guide

06/03/2026

Here's how to protect yourself and your loved ones from scams.

Older Adults Are Being Targeted More Than Ever:
Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using phone calls, text messages, government impersonation, and even AI-generated voices to trick people into giving away money and personal information. Older adults, especially those living with dementia or other cognitive impairments, can be particularly vulnerable to these tactics.

The good news is that help is available. The AARP Fraud Watch Network offers free scam alerts, educational resources, a scam-tracking map, podcasts, and a helpline (877-908-3360) for anyone who suspects fraud or needs guidance.

Protect yourself and your loved ones by learning the warning signs and staying informed:

🔗 AARP Fraud Watch Network & Advocacy Resources

https://www.aarp.org/advocacy/taking-on-fraud/

AARP

AARP educates and supports older Americans around fraud prevention

06/03/2026

Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

06/03/2026

New data from the 2026 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures Report highlights the growing impact of Alzheimer’s disease on individuals, families, caregivers, and our health care system. An estimated 7.4 million Americans age 65 and older are now living with Alzheimer’s dementia, and health and long-term care costs are projected to reach $409 billion in 2026.

The report’s special section, Brain Health in America, found that nearly 9 in 10 adults say maintaining brain health is very important, yet only 9% feel they know a lot about how to protect it. Encouragingly, research shows that healthy habits such as regular physical activity, quality sleep, a healthy diet, and managing blood pressure can support brain health throughout life.

Explore national and state-by-state data on prevalence, mortality, caregiving, and costs in the full report: Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures 2026

Read the 2026 report to understand the burden of Alzheimer's and dementia on individuals, caregivers, government and the nation's health care system.

06/02/2026

Mike Splaine will be presenting at The Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Disease Conference in Vienna in September. NMD Conference is an international scientific meeting that brings together researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals working on neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases. Through presentations, discussions, and poster sessions, the congress aims to advance understanding of these conditions and improve diagnosis, care, and outcomes for people living with neuromuscular disorders. https://nmdcongress.org/

06/01/2026

Newly announced: OBBBA HCBS Impacts Tracker Project

The HCBS Impacts Tracker Project is led by the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health Hirsh Health Law and Policy Program together with Human Services Research Institute, LeadingAge LTSS Center UMass Boston, and ATI Advisory. This project is funded by The SCAN Foundation with collaborating support from the WITH Foundation.

The HCBS Impacts Tracker Project aims to track policy changes states propose or implement in their HCBS programs and to measure the impacts of those changes on older adults and people with disabilities. During this initial phase, the project will develop the methodology for tracking and pilot a tracking tool. This planning grant will inform the next phase of this project: establishing a sustainable, national resource with real-time information for use by policymakers, advocates, researchers, and people with lived experience to track Medicaid HCBS policy shifts and their impacts at a state and national level.

Learn more here:

Home and Community Based Services Impacts Tracker Project

05/29/2026

Many people living with dementia live alone, and with the right support, they can continue to live well and safely.
That is why Splaine Consulting runs the Supporting People Living Alone with Dementia Facebook group. The group is for family members, friends, neighbors, anyone who cares about a person with dementia who lives on their own.

Join the group today to access helpful resources, practical information, and a supportive community focused on helping people living alone with dementia thrive.

11/21/2025

Sponsored by Edward JonesCaring for aging parents can be one of the most emotional and financially challenging experiences in adult life — but it can also be...