If you knew that you had an enormous expense that was awaiting you during your latter years, you would take it seriously and plan ahead. Yet, a very significant percentage of people will face just such an expense, and many of them do nothing to get ready for it. The expense that we are referring to is the bill that you will be presented with if you require a stay in a nursing home. You may think that it is unlikely that you will ever need such care, but in fact most senior citizens will need … [Read more...] about With Intelligent Planning, Medi-Cal Can Provide Solution
Elders Must Coordinate Benefits
To one extent or another, most elders are going to be relying on Social Security and Medicare. We all pay into the programs, so we certainly have a right to benefit from them during our senior years. But at the same time, you have to understand what to expect from these programs, and not assume that your future is solidified because of the fact that you will be eligible. With regard to Social Security, statements are sent out periodically that should give you an idea of how much your benefit … [Read more...] about Elders Must Coordinate Benefits
National Council On Aging – Falls Prevention Initiative
While it is true that ailments that are out of your control can challenge you as you reach an advanced age, there are things that are within your control as well. Being cognizant of the perils that exist is part of the equation, and committed San Jose elder law attorneys are always going to try to raise awareness with regard to geriatric health issues. With this in mind, it is important to understand just how common falls are among our nation's elderly. This is an issue that is not as well … [Read more...] about National Council On Aging – Falls Prevention Initiative
Long-Term Care & Medi-Cal
The facts surrounding the subject of long-term care are attention-getting. For one, many people are surprised to hear just how likely it is that they may eventually need long-term care. According to statistics that have been presented by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, approximately seven out of every 10 people who are fortunate enough to attain senior citizen status will someday need long-term care. So if you have reached the age of 65 or have every intention of … [Read more...] about Long-Term Care & Medi-Cal
Taking Steps to Stay at Home
One of the challenges that many senior citizens are going to face will be the need for living assistance. You may automatically think that you will live in a nursing home or an assisted living community should you need help with your day-to-day needs. This is certainly an option, but it is important to be aware of just how expensive this care has become. According to a 2011 MetLife Mature Market Institute survey, the average annual charge for residence in an assisted living community in the … [Read more...] about Taking Steps to Stay at Home
Seniors Should Watch Their Finances Carefully
One of the major challenges that we face within the elder law community is the problem of elder abuse, and it exists in various different forms. The type of elder abuse that we would like to highlight here is elder financial abuse. The extent of elder financial abuse can be difficult to calculate because a high percentage of cases, perhaps the majority, go unreported. This is because many instances of elder financial abuse are perpetrated by people who are known to the victims, oftentimes … [Read more...] about Seniors Should Watch Their Finances Carefully
Latest MetLife Survey Released
Members of the elder law community are becoming increasingly concerned about the high and rising cost of long-term care. People are living longer than ever before, with the oldest among us being the fastest growing age group. Most people who reach senior citizen status will indeed need long-term care at some point in their lives, therefore this is something that is relevant to all of us. It is important to understand the fact that Medicare does not cover long-term care costs. With this in … [Read more...] about Latest MetLife Survey Released
Let’s Talk “Falls”
We all want to protect our family members and keep them safe, secure and independent. Knowing how to protect older adults from falls, a leading cause of injury, is a step toward that goal. Every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in every three adults over the age of 65 or older will fall and two million will be treated in the emergency room for a broken hip, brain injury and multiple fractures. Thankfully, many falls can be prevented. As we age, physical … [Read more...] about Let’s Talk “Falls”
Are You Getting Prepared For Long-Term Care Costs?
There are those who adopt the attitude that "it'll never happen to me" when it comes to some of the challenging situations that many people face. There's nothing wrong with adopting a positive attitude, but there is a thin line between taking a healthy, upbeat stance and illogically keeping your head in the sand. This is something to keep in mind when you are considering the possibility of a stay in a long-term care facility at some point in the future. According to the United States Department … [Read more...] about Are You Getting Prepared For Long-Term Care Costs?
Including Advance Health Care Directives
When you are making preparations for the future there are things to consider outside of the purely financial realm, and one of them involves health care choices. There may come a time when you are unable to make medical decisions on your own due to incapacitation. If you do not state your wishes in a legally binding manner beforehand, these decisions would fall into the hands of your next of kin. In addition to the fact that it is very difficult to make sensitive decisions on behalf of another … [Read more...] about Including Advance Health Care Directives
