Search Results for: blog what is financial abuse

What is Financial Abuse?

Abuse is a tricky topic that people are often not comfortable discussing. It can come in many forms, only some of which are obvious. Financial abuse is one of the ways that an abuser can harm their victim, and it is often directed at a spouse or domestic partner or an elderly relative. The effects of financial abuse can be devastating and can restrict the victim’s ability to leave the abusive relationship. In marital and domestic relationships, an abuser often uses one or more tactics to restrict the other person’s access to money. They accomplish this by stealing money from … Continue reading →

Parent Abuse

Thanks to Academy Award-winning actor Mickey Rooney, the media spotlight is once again illuminating the problem of elder abuse. However, this time it’s not just a 20/20 or Dateline NBC expose on seniors getting roughed up at assisted living facilities by a bunch of paid strangers. Rather, Rooney is pointing fingers at his own family, saying he was physically, mentally, and “financially” tortured by his stepson. For the record, the 90-year-old actor didn’t come out and name his stepson as his attacker. However, he has obtained a restraining order keeping his stepson, Chris Aber, away from him until an April … Continue reading →

Ask a Marriage Blogger – Leading Causes of Divorce

A good friend of mine is getting married shortly, and she’s had a number of questions about marriage and how to cultivate a good relationship with her new husband. As we’ve conversed, she’s given me permission to share some of her questions, and my answers, with you. Q. What are the leading causes of divorce? A. This is a very natural question – divorce is so common these days, it’s almost impossible to contemplate marriage without wondering if it will end in divorce. As I look into it, the causes seem to largely be these. Poor communication – when one … Continue reading →

Is It Really Substance Abuse?

Posted on by

In When Usage becomes Abusage (see below) we looked at the enormous emotional and financial cost of substance abuse. But how do you know when someone is really abusing rather than using a substance such as tobacco, alcohol or other recreational drugs? How do you know when the person you love is in trouble? Fortunately the American Psychiatric Association lists the criteria for substance abuse in an attempt to better distinguish those who are in control of the drugs in their life and those who have crossed the line. The guidelines are as follows: A. A maladaptive pattern of substance … Continue reading →

Single Parenting and Financial Assistance

Ah, the life of the single parent – while being a single parent does not mean it is the end of the world; you should be realistic about the changes. This way, you can handle the differences that lie ahead for you and your children. In many instances, becoming a single parent is a good thing. While I do not advocate divorce, in cases of infidelity and abuse, being single can provide a newfound life of freedom, peace, and self-confidence. One of the major complaints heard from single parents has to do with finances. Depending on the situation, sometimes the … Continue reading →

Medicaid Programs in North Carolina that Covers Kids

Every state has a Medicaid program. Parts of that program are intended to cover children who come from low-income families. In North Carolina, there is a Medicaid for Infants and Children program, and a Medicaid for Families with Dependent Children program. There are also some options for families that don’t qualify for those programs due to financial limitations. Medicaid is a public, or government run, health insurance program. It is designed to cover individuals and families who are low-income and who cannot afford to purchase a health insurance plan through a private insurance company. Medicaid is funded, in part, by … Continue reading →

Cameras, Airline Problems, and Medication Issues

This week, the Special Needs Blog included topics such as cameras in classrooms, airlines behaving badly, unaccepted apologies, and many issues with different kinds of medications. Here is a quick review of the blogs that went up between September 3, 2012, and September 8, 2012. Thalidomide Maker’s Apology Not Enough Gruenenthal, the maker of a drug called thalidomide (and Contergan and Distaval), issued an apology for the harm caused to those affected by their drug. Many are seeing this apology as insufficient, and believe that there should be financial compensation coming to the thalidomide victims. Harvard Newspaper Website Runs Ad … Continue reading →

Reach Out To Other Single Parents

Posted on by

Recently there was a story in the news about three small children being abandoned in a vacant shed where other homeless people were living. The children were all under three years old. This got me thinking about the really dark side of single parenting. For most of us single parenting is a challenge but it is not impossible. We have the support of friends and family, our ex’s are involved with our children and we are able to financially keep our heads above water, at least most of the time.. This is not the case for all single mothers. Some … Continue reading →

ECHO Helps Military Families Who Have Kids With Special Needs

Posted on by

Families who are using TRICARE may be eligible for ECHO. It is part of the TRICARE program and it is designed to provide financial assistance for certain services and supplies for families who have children with specific types of special needs. TRICARE is the health are program for uniformed service members, retirees, and their families worldwide. It is the health care program serving active duty service members, National Guard Reserve members, retirees, their families, survivors and certain former spouses worldwide. TRICARE is the main component of the Military Health System. It combines the health care resources of the uniformed personnel, … Continue reading →

License Plates that Transmit Your Car Insurance Information

Posted on by

There is a plan being studied in Connecticut. The idea is to put RFID tags into the license plates of people’s cars. The plate will then transmit information about the person’s insurance status, (as well as other data). The purpose seems to be so that the state would could collect an estimated $29 million per year. RFID stands for “radio – frequency identification”. It is already being used in a number ways. Retail stores use it to help them to keep track of inventory. RFID is used in passports, and in the ID access badge that people use at work. … Continue reading →