Living with Middle-Stage Alzheimer’s

As our population ages, the number of people affected by Alzheimer’s disease will increase dramatically. As it currently stands, 65% of Canadians diagnosed with the disease are over the age of 65 – but some are even younger. Though earlier diagnosis, access to better treatment options, and a greater understanding of the disease itself are changing the quality of living for people with Alzheimer’s, the challenges of living with the condition remain all too real.  Maggie, 47, was enjoying her career as a social worker in North Bay. She had spent the better part...

Quitting Your Job Can Impact Your Disability Insurance Benefits

Invisible disabilities are difficult to battle in the workplace, but just because you don’t see something doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. In the case of mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, it’s becoming more common for employees to seek time off to recover from a disorder.  The stigma of these conditions and disorders is what often leaves employees wondering if an insurer will take them seriously or deem the claim as legitimate. In those times of overwhelming stress and disarray, an employee may feel disgruntled enough to leave their job entirely...

Disabilities in the Media: The Road to Better Representation

Representation is far more than a Hollywood buzzword. A positive portrayal in the media can completely change the way the general public thinks about a marginalized group, and while the landscape is far from perfect, there are now a growing number of films and TV shows that feature characters (and actors) from a diverse array of backgrounds and experiences. Unfortunately, most conversations about representation still tend to exclude people with disabilities. According to a recent white paper from the Ruderman Family Foundation, able-bodied actors were cast to play the...

Common Surveillance Tactics Used by Insurance Companies

If you’ve filed a claim for long-term disability, you may be wondering if the insurance company will begin spying on you to make sure your claim is legitimate. The short answer is that maybe they will, but there is a lot more to it than simply spying on those who submit claims.  Insurance companies do have to battle fraud, though oftentimes their surveillance findings are incomplete or biased. And although undercover surveillance may seem unethical, it is actually legal if performed correctly. In an effort to protect yourself, it’s essential to know what the most...

Can Your Disability Insurer Deduct Canada Pension Plan Benefits from your M...

Primary CPP Benefits – The Answer is Yes Most Canadians who are receiving Long Term Disability Benefits through a Group Insurance Benefit Plan are asked, at some point, to apply for disability benefits from the Canada Pension Plan.      Most group policies require this and if approved will result in a reduction of your monthly LTD benefit. Moreover, a failure to apply could result in the insurance company estimating the amount of CPP benefits and deducting the amount, even if you’re not receiving it. People have a lot of difficulty understanding why this is...

When a “Change of Definition” Cancels Your LTD Benefits

Chau moved to Toronto when she was 47 – that’s when her company decided to open a new office in the city. As one of the most experienced financial advisors on the team, Chau was sent to help get the operation off the ground. At first, Chau was excited for the challenge, even if the new space did come with new responsibilities. There were fewer people in the new office than there were at headquarters, so Chau now had to take on tasks that used to land on someone else’s desk. Doing so proved to be more overwhelming than she expected. For example, Chau had to smooth...

A Star is Reborn: How Lady Gaga Handles Chronic Pain & Mental Health

In many cases, pain is only half the battle. Dealing with a chronic condition will often take a severe toll on someone’s mental health, and that remains as true for Lady Gaga as it does for everyone else. The celebrated pop star elaborated on some of those mental health issues during a recent sit-down interview with Oprah Winfrey. While Lady Gaga has been quite candid about her struggles with fibromyalgia in the past, the interview provided more context and gave fans a better understanding of its mental impact. She was particularly forthcoming about a psychotic break that...

LTD Benefits Denied Due to Pre-Existing Condition

Kirk still remembered the anxiety he had felt when he was first diagnosed with chronic pain at the age of 32.. While it was a relief to know why he’d been in so much pain, it was stressful to learn that there was no cure for the condition. He had spent more than a few sleepless nights worrying about how to live a normal life. Thankfully, his fears proved to be mostly overblown. Some days were worse than others, but for the most part, he was able to deal with his pain well enough to go about his day. He was on a decidedly upward trajectory by the time he reached his 40s....