Category Archives: Elder Law
Silver Alert: What It Is, When It’s Used, and How to Avoid Needing It
Individuals who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are prone to wandering. This is often caused by the decline in cognitive functioning and symptoms such as restlessness and confusion that are associated with this decline. The more these diseases progress, the more likely it is that the senior will wander. This… Read More »
Tips for Discussing Medical and Financial Issues with Your Aging Parents
Your parents are getting on in age, but you don’t have a clear idea if there is a plan in place for their care. It is a difficult topic to broach; no one wants to talk about death and the financial realities that come with aging. Instead of having a proactive conversation with your… Read More »
Do I Need to Buy Long-Term Care Insurance?
Long-term care insurance is very beneficial for the elderly or disabled person who will need services or support to meet their personal care or health needs. However, it is important to understand long-term care insurance before the time comes when the benefits are needed. Unfortunately, many people wait and then miss out on what… Read More »
How to Choose the Right Nursing Home for Mom or Dad
Figuring out how to choose the right nursing home for your mom, dad or other loved one can be overwhelming. It is an important decision, and should be carefully considered. It’s important for families to take the time to explore nursing home options and to carefully assess the nursing home facilities in order to… Read More »
Caring for Mom & Dad: Senior Living Options for Elderly Parents
As Americans age, senior living options can become a concern. Often, the responsibility falls on adult “children” to research and choose the best living options for elderly parents. Available options are tied to the resources a senior has to cover living costs, and vary widely in cost, assistance, and care provided. In addition to… Read More »
Understanding Hospice Care
What is Hospice care? Hospice care can be very difficult for families to come to terms with, but can be a beneficial care option for those caring for a terminally ill loved one. The purpose of hospice is to provide comfort and quality of life for a terminally ill person. Hospice can allow the… Read More »
Medicare vs. Medicaid: What’s the Difference?
Medicare and Medicaid have long been a mystery to many consumers. In fact, it can baffle and confuse even some of the smartest citizens. Like me, you might have thought, “I don’t need to worry about this right now.” However, it is never too early to gain a little understanding and awareness that just… Read More »
Creative Financial Approaches to Long-Term Care Planning
Long term care insurance was sold aggressively in the 1980’s, 90’s and thereafter to offset the costs of seniors needing to live in a nursing home or assisted living facility, or needing at-home health care. Now, however, the business of long term care insurance has dramatically changed. What was once over 100 insurers providing… Read More »
Can a “Medicaid Divorce” Protect Your Assets?
The term Medicaid divorce refers to a strategic (yet often controversial) legal concept where an otherwise happily married couple will seek a divorce so that one spouse can qualify for Medicaid assistance, and impoverishing the well spouse. To better illustrate why a married couple might consider a Medicaid divorce, let’s take a look at an… Read More »
The Importance of Long-Term Care Planning
Life expectancy in the United States has continued an upward trend over the last several decades. The average life expectancy for men is 76.4 years and the average for women is a healthy 81.2 years of age. What has not trended upward, however, is the number of people engaging in long-term care planning. The… Read More »
