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The Expert: Robert W. Haley | The Estate & Elder Law Center of Central Virginia, PLLC
Protecting Your Assets from Long-Term Care Costs

“You mean to tell me we don’t have to lose everything to pay for long-term care?”
Families facing long-term care decisions often share the same concern: how to secure quality care without losing everything they’ve worked for. The reality is, without proper planning, long-term care costs can quickly drain a lifetime of savings. But there are often more options available than people realize. Here are three of the most common questions:

1. “How will we pay for long-term care?”
The cost of long-term care can exceed $100,000 per year, making it one of the greatest financial risks families face. Many assume they must “spend down” their life savings, but that’s not always the case. With the right legal strategies, it may be possible to cover care costs while preserving a significant portion of your assets. Planning ahead offers the most protection, but even in crisis situations, options may still be available.

2. “When should we start planning to protect our assets?”
The best time to plan is long before care is needed. Many asset protection strategies involve a five-year look-back period, meaning early planning can make a significant difference in what you’re able to preserve.

It’s also never too early to start. Even younger families benefit from having basic estate planning in place, ensuring children are protected and decisions are clearly outlined if something unexpected happens. These plans aren’t permanent; they can and should be updated over time as your financial situation and goals evolve.

3. “How do we protect our assets while covering these costs?”
This is where experienced guidance makes the greatest difference. Without a plan, long-term care expenses can quickly deplete savings and put your home at risk. However, strategies such as asset protection trusts and other legal planning techniques may help preserve what you’ve worked so hard to build. The key is acting early and working with a professional who understands how to navigate these complex rules.

Planning ahead gives families more control, more options, and greater peace of mind. Even in urgent situations, there are often steps that can be taken to protect what matters most.

The Estate & Elder Law Center of Central Virginia, PLLC
810 Main Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504
(3rd Floor of the Truist Building)
(855) 608-0177
VaElderLaw.com
Location also in Danville, VA

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The Expert: Ben Ferry, MD | Collaborative Health Sports Medicine

Do you have to be an athlete to see a sports medicine doctor?
No. While we do work with local teams and athletes, you don’t need to be an athlete to benefit from sports medicine. We evaluate and treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions across all ages and activity levels. Your “sport” might be gardening, walking, or staying active day-to-day — if pain is impacting your quality of life, seeing a sports medicine doctor may help.

What kinds of everyday aches and pains are commonly treated?
We treat both acute injuries and chronic conditions, with or without a clear cause. Common examples include knee pain from arthritis or meniscus issues, ankle sprains, and back pain from everyday activities like yardwork.

Additional conditions include: Patellar tendinitis (jumper’s knee), Rotator cuff tendinitis / shoulder bursitis, Hip tendinitis / bursitis, Osteoarthritis (hip, knee, shoulder), Hand and wrist conditions (trigger finger, carpal tunnel), Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), and Concussions and post-concussion syndrome.

What treatment options are typically used?
We focus first on non-surgical care. This may include home exercise programs, physical therapy, bracing, and medications. In some cases, injections such as cortisone or steroid can reduce pain and inflammation to support recovery. We may also use regenerative medicine treatments like prolotherapy or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to stimulate healing.

Diagnostics may include X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI. X-ray and ultrasound are available in-office to complement a thorough physical exam. MRIs are used when more detailed imaging is needed or when symptoms are not improving with conservative care.

“I’m not injured, but exercise causes pain. Can you help?”
Yes. We can identify the source of pain, assess movement patterns, and guide training adjustments. We also help patients safely return to activity while working toward their fitness goals and reducing injury risk.

“I think I have a concussion. Why see sports medicine?”
Concussions, a form of mild traumatic brain injury, are commonly treated in sports medicine and can result from everyday incidents like falls or car accidents. Symptoms may include headache, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.

While many concussions improve with time, guided care is important. We take an active recovery approach, helping patients return to work, school, and daily life safely and efficiently, moving beyond the outdated advice of complete rest.

If you develop worsening symptoms — such as repeated vomiting, severe headache, confusion, weakness, seizure, or trouble waking — call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

He provides sideline coverage for the Liberty University Division I and club sports athletics teams and enjoys working with students and residents through his role with the Liberty University College of Medicine.

Collaborative Health
Sports Medicine
2321 Wards Road*
Lynchburg, VA 24502
*Will be relocating to the Collaborative Healthplex in May of 2026 – 800 Graves Mill Road, Lynchburg, VA 24502

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The Expert: Debi Farley | Acupuncture Works, LLC

What is Alpha-Gal?
Alpha Gal is an allergy to the sugar molecule galactose-a-1,3-galactose that is found in all 4 limbed mammals, except humans and old world apes. All foods have proteins, fats, and carbs. Alpha Gal is the carb in the meat. This classifies Alpha Gal as a food allergy just like peanuts, shrimp, soy…

What is the test for Alpha Gal?
A blood test checking for antibodies to alpha gal. This test is often listed as IGE Blood Panel for galactose-a-1, 3-galactose. This test will often list beef, pork, lamb and alpha gal with separate reference numbers and a total alpha gal number. You are considered positive for these antibodies if the number is above .10.

What does the test mean?
Your body has built up an army to fight something that it thinks is harmful. These are the antibodies. It doesn’t mean the army is fighting.

The test doesn’t tell you when, how, what, and/or the severity of the reaction. It also doesn’t tell you that you can react below the number.

Many tests also include a paragraph explaining why you might have a false positive, false negative and that the test is not to be used for diagnosis and you should consult with your physician for a complete diagnosis.

The test is a guideline to be used to determine the cause of your symptoms.

Does SAAT change the bloodwork?
No.

How Does SAAT (Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment) treat the allergy?
It basically turns off/blocks/desensitizes the body so that it doesn’t recognize the allergy being harmful. When you receive allergy shots, you are building up a tolerance that turns off/blocks/desensitizes the body from the allergen.

Does Acupuncture work the same way as SAAT for Alpha Gal?
No, traditional acupuncture is working with the body’s immune system to reduce the allergy response. SAAT is desensitizing the body to a specific allergen.

It is Debi’s mission to partner with her patients to help them live their best life possible.

Acupuncture Works, LLC
114 Duncraig Dr. (Wyndhurst)
Lynchburg VA 24502
434-237-0302
www.AcupunctureWorksLLCLynchburg.com