Tax season may bring some good news for local families living with dementia.
Caregivers and people with dementia may qualify for additional tax credits that can save them money.
They can find out how to claim the credits, and get other income tax tips, through a free tele-workshop offered by the non-profit Alzheimer Society of B.C.
Certified financial planner Catherine Laird will lead the two-hour session, entitled understanding tax credits, income splitting and estate planning for people with dementia, next Thursday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m.
Laird, with Investors Group Financial Services Inc., is a member of the Elder Friendly Community Network in Victoria. For more than 20 years she has worked with seniors and their families to ensure that their financial affairs are set up for their benefit and protection.
During the tele-workshop, she will explain tax benefits available to caregivers and people with dementia, such as the disability tax credit and the reimbursement of some medical expenses. She will also show local families how to utilize income-splitting strategies, and explain some of the key elements of trusts and estate planning.
Connecting to the session is as easy as visiting momentum.adobeconnect.com/alzheimerbc (enter as a guest) or phoning toll-free 1-866-994-7745, then entering pass code 1122333 when prompted.
Tele-workshops are learning sessions designed for family caregivers, but are also open to health-care providers. Recognizing that many caregivers are unable to attend in-person workshops, the sessions can be accessed via telephone or/and via your computer to watch the live presentation online. At the end of the tele-workshop, participants have an opportunity to ask questions and share with others who are in similar situations.
For more information about other upcoming tele-workshops or to view shortened recordings of past sessions go to www.alzheimerbc.org/We-Can-Help/Telephone-Workshops.aspx.
For more information on Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, which affect one in 11 Canadians over the age of 65, visit the Society website at www.alzheimerbc.org.
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