If you have ever searched online for help with Medicaid planning, you have probably encountered companies and consultants advertising their services as Medicaid "experts" or "specialists" — none of whom are attorneys. In Florida, what those companies do is illegal. And it took nearly a decade of advocacy to make it so....
Finding the perfect gift for someone with dementia can be difficult. The hobbies they once loved may now be impossible to do or just cause frustration. The loss of memory may make it hard to do tasks with more than a few steps. And, limited physical mobility may make some activities dangerous. When choosing a gift,...
One of the hardest conversations an adult child can have with an aging parent is about their concerns their aging parents' health, safety and finances. There are many techniques to beginning a conversation with aging parents about their possible need for assistance. First and foremost, be kind and respectful when you...
As we age, we slow down and lose some of our physical or mental functions. However, not everyone who ages needs help or protection from the frailties and illness that come with aging. If you have an elderly family member for whom you might be concerned, there are warning signs he or she may not be safe and may need...
Many people request their cremated remains be scattered in a place that held meaning to the loved one and their family. However, scattering cremated remains in a public place raises public health issues as well as concerns regarding the sanctity and proper treatment of human remains. The scattering of ashes on land is...
Every day, I work with adult children who discover, usually in crisis, they were appointed to act on behalf of a parent using a durable power of attorney. The vast majority of those appointed do not know what they are supposed to do or that there may be liability associated with the actions they take in when using the...
When an individual become incapacitated, others may need to assist by making financial and medical decisions on behalf of the individual. These decision makers can use a variety of tools to make decisions, depending on documents the incapacitated individual created. Below is a list of tools available under Florida law...
Turning 65 is a milestone birthday, bringing with it Medicare eligibility and the accompanying choices. In addition, there are a number issues to be addressed. When you turn 65, these are the 10 things you need to do: Sign up for Medicare. This requires you to apply for Medicare Parts A & B or choose a Medicare Part...
Managed care is a form of health insurance. It is a health or long term care delivery system in which a managed care organization is responsible for providing health or long term care to the individuals enrolled in their organizations. Managed care plans as health insurance options are present in every area of the...
One source of conflict in families that are providing long term care for a loved one is a lack of or perceived lack of communication between family members about the individual receiving care. This conflict can sometimes erupt into stressful family arguments that interfere with the loved one's care or even costly...