Elder Law

We are all struggling with the impacts that the spread of COVID-19 have had on the world. Seniors, in particular, have been hit hard by social distancing measures. While these are in place to help protect groups like the elderly, who are at a high risk of infection, there has been a serious toll taken on the mental health and well being of seniors. This is especially true for those living in nursing homes. Most, if not all, nursing homes have closed doors to visitors in an attempt to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to residents.
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Hurricane season is in full swing and residents of the Carolinas are all too familiar with the havoc that storm season can bring upon communities. In times of severe weather, seniors can be particularly vulnerable as they often have limited mobility and heightened caretaking needs. This is why it is of the utmost importance that we all plan ahead on how we can keep our elderly loved ones safe and secure during hurricane season. Read more . . .

There will come a time when most of us will have to have a very difficult conversation with our parents about their long term care plans. It is a fact of life that, many times, our parents will end up with a need for a level of care that is above that which we can provide them with. When this time arrives, you want both you and your parents to be prepared to make the smoothest possible transition. This smooth transition all begins with talking to your parents about moving to a Read more . . .

As your parents age, you will have to have some difficult conversations with them. One of these conversations may be your growing concerns with their abilities to safely operate a motor vehicle. From the time we start driving, we associate it with freedom, independence.
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It can be a difficult decision, but there may come a time when you are no longer able to give an elder loved one the level of care they need and deserve. This means that you will need to begin the process of moving him or her to a nursing home facility. Even when you know moving a loved one into a nursing home is for the best, it can still be very difficult on you and the person making the move into the facility. Be aware of the things you should do when moving a loved one into a Read more . . .

The COVID-19, also referred to as the Coronavirus, pandemic has brought a level of anxiety that is palpable across the U.S. and the globe. As the disease spreads, the fear of it grows. This is especially true for those groups who have been deemed particularly vulnerable to the risks of the Coronavirus.
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Whether you are trying to make a decision for yourself or a loved one, selecting the right nursing home facility is a big decision. There is a wide range of options to consider. A facility will not be right for everyone. Take the time to research.

Planning for Long-Term Care Should Be Done A Long Time Before You Need It

52% of all adults over the age of 65 are projected to spend time in a nursing-home or need some other form of long-term care in their lifetime. We work with clients who want to proactively plan for the cost of long-term care without sacrificing their quality of life to pay for it.

When you read the title above, what was the age of the person that came to mind? If you are like most people, the first person you thought of was a child. However, older adults are just as vulnerable as children online.  

Financial losses from elder fraud and abuse are estimated to total more than $36 billion per year. More and more of that fraud is happening online.
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“There are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns — the ones we don't know we don't know. And if one looks throughout the history of our country and other free countries, it is the latter category that tend to be the difficult ones.”

-Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld

This is the quote that sprang to mind when the Government Accountability Office’s Read more . . .

Q: Can I qualify for Medicaid assistance to keep my medically fragile child at home instead of in a hospital or residential care setting?

When people think of Medicaid planning, they often picture low-income individuals over 65 who need medical assistance or nursing home care. But Medicaid’s medical assistance benefits are not just for the elderly; they are for the disabled, blind, or low-income families and children who qualify for the joint federal-state program. And in one particular NC waiver program some very sick children can qualify for Medicaid help regardless of their family’s income.