For anyone who has a loved one that suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, one of the biggest worries they have is that their loved one will wander off and become disoriented which can lead to serious injury or even death. Putting your trust in a care facility to protect your loved one with Alzheimer's is not easy, particularly when stories such as the one that follows seem to permeate the news. According to a recent news report, an 84-year-old woman who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease was … [Read more...] about California Woman Says Mother With Alzheimer’s Was Left Outside Facility at Night
Elder Law
Protecting the Elderly from Scams
If you have an elderly loved one, it is important to provide care and support in a number of ways. As scams against the elderly continue to grow, it is important to make sure that your elderly loved one is not taken advantage of! Take note of the following scams! Mail fraud A lot of junk mail is aimed at taking advantage of the elderly Many mail scams involve convincing the elderly to enter various sweepstakes Telemarketing Many telemarketers speak with vulnerable people … [Read more...] about Protecting the Elderly from Scams
Ways to Pay for Long Term Care
Paying for long term care is a scary thing for most families. In California, the annual costs of a semi-private room (one roommate) is over $100,000 and a private room is even more. Double these numbers if spouses or partners need care at the same time and there are additional expenses as well. How to Pay for Long Term Care Private Pay Long Term Care Insurance Veterans Benefits Medicare Medi-Cal Private Pay Some folks can self insure because they can afford to private … [Read more...] about Ways to Pay for Long Term Care
There are Many Ways to Qualify for Medi-Cal to Pay for Long Term Care
Qualified and experienced elder law attorneys help those, who need long term care, qualify to have the care paid by Medi-Cal benefits. For both Medi-Cal, you need to financially (and medically) qualify. Here are 12 ways in which elder law attorneys help people qualify for financial assistance, if they are not immediately eligible. Consult with a qualified and experienced elder law attorney whose practice includes Medi-Cal long term care benefits to determine which strategies are best for … [Read more...] about There are Many Ways to Qualify for Medi-Cal to Pay for Long Term Care
Deciphering Medicare Benefits vs Medi-Cal Benefits
Many folks continue to be confused about the differences between Medi-Cal and Medicare. Both Medicare and Medi-Cal, which is California’s name for the Medi-Cal program, have their originals in federal law. They were originally enacted in 1965 under President Johnson’s Great Society programs. Both programs have evolved over the years. Medicare was focused on providing health care for the elderly while Medi-Cal was focused on providing health care for the poor. California’s Medi-Cal … [Read more...] about Deciphering Medicare Benefits vs Medi-Cal Benefits
What is your greatest fear?
According to the study Aging in Place in America, more people over the age of 65 are afraid of moving into a nursing home than are afraid of death. One of the problems with our fears is that so many of us choose to ignore them. Ignoring the possible need for nursing home care means that you miss out on the valuable chance to plan ahead. Not only does planning ahead let you shape what your nursing home experience might look like, it also allows you to think carefully about how you’ll pay for … [Read more...] about What is your greatest fear?
Should I Pay a Lawyer for Medi-Cal Planning?
Elder law attorneys vary in what they charge for Medi-Cal planning; a common fee is equivalent to the average cost of one month in a nursing home. However, it will typically vary depending on the complexity of the needed planning. Why should you pay thousands of dollars for Medi-Cal planning? The answer is simple: To save what you have. If you don’t bother with nursing home planning and you need care, you will continue to pay with your private funds until they run out. Once you’re broke, … [Read more...] about Should I Pay a Lawyer for Medi-Cal Planning?
Five Things You Probably Didn’t Know about Medi-Cal
Many people make it through their entire working years without ever needing to turn to Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program) for help with healthcare expenses thanks to employer-sponsored or privately funded health insurance. If you are one of those people, you may find that you do need to rely on Medi-Cal as a senior if you need long-term care because of the prohibitive cost of that care. With that in mind, the Sacramento Medi-Cal attorneys at the Northern California Center for Estate … [Read more...] about Five Things You Probably Didn’t Know about Medi-Cal
Lessen the Stress for Caregivers Through Effective Planning
One elder law consideration is lessening stress for caregivers. As a caregiver, you have a lot of responsibilities and, likely, a lot of stress involved in caring for your elderly loved one. If you are looking for a way to lessen the stress and give yourself a needed break, there are other care options available for your loved one. You may want to consider enrolling your loved one in an adult day care center or a respite care center. If you have any questions about other caregiver options, … [Read more...] about Lessen the Stress for Caregivers Through Effective Planning
How Hospice Services Help Families (part 2 of 2)
If you have a loved one who has a terminal illness and is approaching the end of his or her life, hospice care service is an option to consider. With hospice, your loved one is able to get the support needed while also making sure that he or she is as comfortable and pain-free as possible. It can also be a great way for you and your family to cope as your loved one’s illness progresses. Take a look at some of the information below, to better understand this helpful service. If you have any … [Read more...] about How Hospice Services Help Families (part 2 of 2)
