An Alzheimer’s diagnosis is a life-changing event for the patient, and also for the person who will become the patient’s primary caregiver.  Most people who have the disease, and who provide care, are women.  The Working Mother Research Institute, in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association, has conducted a survey of about 2,500 women, including  1,200 who have served as caregivers to people with Alzheimer’s, to determine how much they know about the disease, and learn more about the effect it has had on their lives.

Last year, a study from MetLife was released regarding the increase of exploitation of seniors.  Through analyzing news articles that referenced financial abuse of the elderly and extrapolating data from findings, results showed that a majority of the cases involved strangers and “scams,” whereas friends and family were also found guilty of exploiting their loved ones but usually through forged checks, stolen credit cards, drained bank accounts and transferred assets.

The Securities and Exchange Commission recently changed policies to exclude home value from net worth as it determines whether an individual can invest in some securities offerings that are unregistered. SEC rules allow some people to qualify for limited and private offerings without registration or specific disclosures if the sales are only to “accredited investors”. These “accredited investors” can qualify for these opportunities by having a net worth of at least $1 million, amongst other qualification factors.

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) will host an educational conference on Alzheimer’s disease on May 18, 2012, in New York City.  The conference is free and open to the public.

The event, entitled “Five Boroughs Concepts in Care Conference,” takes place throughout the day at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Times Square.  The conference is care-focused, and will feature practical ways to meet daily challenges.  There will be separate presentations for people with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia, medical providers and family members.

Estate planning is a financial process that can protect you and your family, and is a very important component of your overall financial planning. April is National Financial Literacy Month to put your estate planning house in order. If you don’t have an up-to-date estate plan and you happen to get hurt or sick and cannot manage your financial affairs, the courts will have to appoint someone to manage them for you. The person they appoint might not be the one you would want to perform those tasks.

April is Autism Awareness Month, a time to raise public consciousness about autism and autism spectrum disorders.  You should be aware of what is happening this month to raise awareness, and new facts that have just been reported about autism diagnoses.

One of the most prominent signs you may see – or wear yourself – indicating the significance of this month is the Puzzle Ribbon, produced by the nonprofit Autism Society.  This ribbon featuring multi-colored puzzle pieces is an internationally-recognized symbol of autism awareness.  Wear it with pride and thank others when you see them wearing it.

Company spinoffs were all the rage last year with even more expected in 2012. From toy and technology companies to food distribution and agriculture companies, 2011 was a record year for businesses wanting to break up into smaller, perhaps more profitable entities. The market has been busy for several reasons. Since the market has been weak, companies are being more creative to build value for their investors. Some “activist investors” even push company management to separate the high-growth part of the business from the rest of the company. The uptick in spinoffs may also be a result of a slow IPO market.

A new guidance document from the Securities and Exchange Commission may cause some companies to rethink their approach when disclosing cybersecurity risks.

The SEC’s Division of Corporate Finance issued the guidance document, which is not a new regulation, to offer guidance on how existing disclosure obligations apply to cybersecurity risks. Since many companies are relying heavily on digital technology to conduct business, the guidance document could prove to play a key role in the future of disclosures.

The pooled special needs trust maintains a separate account for each beneficiary of the trust. A beneficiary’s parent, grandparent, guardian, or individual with the disability must first set up the account. An initial enrollment fee and annual maintenance fee vary depending on the trust provider. The pooled trust achieves the same objectives as an individual special needs trust – to maintain the beneficiary’s government benefits such as Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid while using the trust monies to supplement government benefits.

Decisions to recommend a one-to-one aide must weigh the factors of both: –          The student’s individual needs; –          The available supports in the setting where the student’s IEP will be implemented. There are certain important considerations that must be made by the CPSE/CSE in regard to the factors above. These include, but are not limited…