The health and safety of our clients, staff, and friends of the law firm are top of mind amid concerns about the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). As estate planning and elder law attorneys, our practice is dedicated to serving our most vulnerable citizens, including seniors, those who are ill, disabled, experiencing mental health challenges and children with special needs. The uncertainty around the pandemic has many people with immune system challenges concerned about exposure to the … [Read more...] about Our Available Services During COVID-19/Coronavirus Pandemic
Elder Law
Help with Healthcare Costs — Medicaid (aka Medi-Cal) and Medicare
If you have an elderly loved one who is living on a fixed income, and also has regular monthly medical expenses, those expenses may be adding up quickly. If your loved one is lucky enough to have private healthcare coverage, then he or she is better off than many elderly Americans. Unfortunately, many of America’s elderly struggle with both the rising cost of healthcare and the increased need for medical services as a result of the natural aging process. Two government programs--Medicaid (called … [Read more...] about Help with Healthcare Costs — Medicaid (aka Medi-Cal) and Medicare
Steps to Take after an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
As the population of older Americans continues to grow at a historic rate, the number of people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease grows as well. Despite efforts to raise awareness about the disease, it remains somewhat of a mystery to most of us. Consequently, if you are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you may not know what to do. To help you regain some of the control you may feel you lost with the diagnosis, let's explore some practical steps to take after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. What Is … [Read more...] about Steps to Take after an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
How to Recognize the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
The increase in the senior population in recent years has caused a corresponding increase in issues that impact the elderly, including nursing home abuse. Fortunately, there are nursing homes that provide competent, caring, and compassionate care to patients; however, you must remain vigilant and on alert for signs of abuse or neglect if you have a loved one in a nursing home. To help ensure that you know what to look for, lets discuss the signs of elder abuse and what to do if you spot … [Read more...] about How to Recognize the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Spotting the Signs of Elder Abuse
You likely have a loved one that is elderly and that may be particularly vulnerable to elder abuse and neglect. If so, there are things you can do to protect your loved one from becoming a victim of elder abuse. Learning everything you can about elder abuse and neglect with particular emphasis on learning to recognize the signs of elder abuse and neglect is a good place to start. To help you do that, here's some important information along with a list of signs to look for that may indicate a … [Read more...] about Spotting the Signs of Elder Abuse
How to Handle Disagreements Regarding a Parent’s Care
If you find yourself in a situation where you and your siblings appear unable to agree on medical treatment or an overall care plan for your parent, what can you do? Are there any practical options that might help? What legal options do you have if a resolution becomes impossible? To help answer some of these questions, let's look at how to handle disagreements regarding a parent’s medical care. The Aging Process and Reversing Roles Throughout your childhood, your parents cared for, … [Read more...] about How to Handle Disagreements Regarding a Parent’s Care
Tips for Caregivers
At the present rate of growth, experts predict that the number of older adults will outnumber their younger counterparts by 2050 for the first time in history. As the average life expectancy of Americans also continues to increase, more and more people find themselves providing care for an elderly parent, family member, or even neighbor. If you are among those caregivers, you may not realize the toll your selfless caring is taking on you, your family, and even your health. This is particularly … [Read more...] about Tips for Caregivers
Can My Parent Be Evicted from a Nursing Home?
Reaching the conclusion that a parent requires the level of care that can only be provided by a nursing home is rarely easy. You may feel like you are failing your parent and/or taking away their autonomy. Once you do acknowledge the need for nursing home care, however, you will undoubtedly spend a considerable amount of time and effort finding the best facility for your parent. Imagine that after all that soul searching and difficult decision-making being told that your parent is being evicted … [Read more...] about Can My Parent Be Evicted from a Nursing Home?
Social Media and Elder Abuse – How to Protect Yourself
For grandparents and other older family members, their best (and sometimes only) opportunity to find out what is going on in a grandchild’s life is through that grandchild’s posts on social media. The problem with that is that it is not only the grandkids who might be surfing your social media posts if you are a senior. Scam artists and other predators who prey on older victims may also be scouring your posts for helpful information. Let's explore how social media can lead to elder … [Read more...] about Social Media and Elder Abuse – How to Protect Yourself
Should I Petition for Conservatorship of My Parent?
A strange, and often uncomfortable thing, frequently happens as our parents age – a sort of role reversal begins to occur. The parent who has been your caregiver, your rock, for as far back as you can remember begins to appear weak and vulnerable – and in need of a caregiver. Like many adult children, you may find yourself becoming the caregiver to an aging parent who appears to become more childlike with each passing day. At what point do you need to consider petitioning for conservatorship … [Read more...] about Should I Petition for Conservatorship of My Parent?
