Elder Law

Some people are able to drive safely well into their advanced years, but for some others, deteriorating eyesight, slowed processing time, the onset of Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, or some other facet of the aging process impacts their driving ability. Rather than wait for a tragedy to happen, there are things one can do to address this issue with their aging loved ones.

A California

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) created a Five-Star Quality Rating System “to help consumers, their families, and caregivers compare nursing homes more easily and to help identify areas about which you may want to ask questions.” The rating system was a wealth of information, but one can easily get lost in so much data.

A California long-term-care planning attorney can help you plan and prepare for the move into a long-term care facility. Now, let’s talk about using nursing home ratings: how to find a high-quality home.

The Rating System

The CMS nursing home rating system uses a simple five-star rating methodology.

Looking for an assisted living center for your aging loved one can cause high anxiety. You want your relative to be happy, safe, and healthy, but you might not have confidence in your ability to select the right place, particularly if you have never gone through this process before.

Here is a sampling of the right questions to ask when choosing an assisted living facility. A California estate planning attorney can provide additional guidance and draft legal documents to make sure your loved one is protected and prepared.

How Many Residents Live at the Facility and at What Level of Assistance?

When there are enough residents, the facility is likely to have more variety in its activities, food options, floor plans, and other features than a smaller center.
Read more . . .

Dementia is one of the common health issues that individuals face as they age. Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia cause a person to lose their memory. They also lose the ability to understand many of the things going on around them, including the ability to make health care decisions.

A California elder law attorney assists you in executing documents that protect your right to choose your medical care. It is important to make your desires known now while you can make informed decisions about medical treatments and care for dementia-related illnesses.

A testamentary trust gives you flexibility that a living trust or will cannot provide by themselves. A testamentary trust is not a stand-alone document because it is part of a will or living trust. You can have more than one testamentary trust and still have a living trust.

A Read more . . .

Long-term care can cost a fortune, quickly burning up the savings and assets you work hard to earn throughout your lifetime. One way to get help with this expense is to buy long-term care insurance. These policies are expensive, so you might be wondering, Is long-term care insurance a good purchase?

The short answer is that it depends. There are options that could work better for you. A

As our family members age, they may need assistance with activities of daily living. They may need someone to help them bathe, dress, and prepare meals. In some cases, a family member may need 24/7 supervision and care. Nursing homes and assisted care facilities are options. However, some families prefer to care for their loved ones at home.
Read more . . .

What will happen to you when you need long-term care? Are you in a financial position to afford the expense?

Very few have enough assets to cover extended nursing home stays, particularly in California, where monthly care costs can easily exceed $10,000.

At that rate, even those with sizable estates should consider all available options, including government benefits, when planning for long-term care.

A proactive approach to programs like Medicare can help you get benefits that will pay for your care. It's a good idea to work with a qualified Read more . . .

As we watch our loved ones age, it’s not uncommon to see them struggle with their memory. Given the frightening prospect of Alzheimer's, this may incite worry in many.

Read more . . .

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that elder abuse is a significant problem in the United States, but there are things we can do to prevent it. If you suspect that an older loved one might be the victim of elder abuse, you should not look the other way.
Read more . . .

It can give you peace of mind to know that you have taken steps to prepare for the issues people can face at the end of their lives. Rather than banking on a “hope and a prayer,” you can orchestrate the things that will help you be physically comfortable and provide for your loved ones.

You have many different options, depending on your situation. A Read more . . .