Category Archives: Elder Law
A Closer Look at Living Wills
A living will is one type of advance directive that makes up part of a complete estate plan. With this document, a client can decide ahead of time what kind of lifesaving treatment he or she wants in the event of incapacity. Many clients are grateful for the control that a living will provides… Read More »
Shopping for Assisted Living: the Basics
Assisted living is an attractive option for seniors who need some help with daily tasks but do not need to go into a nursing home. For over 10 years, these residencies have grown faster than any other part of the long-term care industry, as reported by MarketWatch. Seniors and their family members face challenges… Read More »
Is a Loved One Being Exploited on Social Media?
At Millhorn Elder Law Planning Group, we regularly raise the alarm about elder abuse, whether physical, emotional, sexual, or financial. But there is another type of elder abuse that might be on the rise, and that involves social media. According to ProPublica, many nursing home residents have been secretly photographed or recorded by staff,… Read More »
Checking in With Elderly Family Members this Holiday Season
The holidays are the one time of year when many people check in with their elderly relatives, such as aunts and uncles or close family friends. If parents live far away, then this might be the first time that many people see them face-to-face in an entire year. The elderly have many needs, and… Read More »
What to Look for When Shopping for Long-Term Care Insurance
The cost of skilled long-term care continues to explode. In Florida, many nursing homes are charging up to $100,000 a year for a private room, and semi-private rooms are not much cheaper. If you are looking for ways to defray the cost of getting older, then buying long-term care insurance could be an option…. Read More »
Should You Get Paid for Taking Care of Mom or Dad?
As parents age, they increasingly need help with daily activities such as getting dressed, bathing, and cooking meals. Other seniors are virtually bedridden. Watching our parents decline is difficult. However, there are other practical concerns that loom large. Who will take care of your parents? Can you afford to hire at-home help, or does… Read More »
How to Reduce Costs of Long-Term Care
Nobody wants to spend the end of their life in a nursing home, but millions of people will. And the cost is eye-popping. According to Senior Living, the average annual cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home in Florida is almost $100,000. It might be more or less depending on where you… Read More »
Put Your Intentions in Writing
Here is a common situation. An elderly person wants to provide for a grandchild or a niece or nephew and tells her children about her intentions. “When I die, make sure to give Joe $20,000 for a down payment on a home” or things to this effect. However, the elderly person dies without making… Read More »
Many Nursing Homes Still Lack Generators
Hurricane Irma revealed a weakness in nursing homes and critical care facilities. In particular, they lacked any alternate power source, such as a generator. As a result, a dozen residents died from heat-related reasons in a Hollywood, Florida nursing home when Irma struck. Our legislature responded by passing a law that required nursing homes… Read More »
Florida’s Top Guardian Official Has Resigned
Guardians represent the legal interests of those who can no longer take care of themselves. In some situations, children or people with special needs are appointed guardians. However, many guardians are appointed when a senior becomes unable to manage his or her affairs. When a person is low income and has no family who… Read More »
