Today, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo will deliver his 2014 “State of the State” address. Just like the more well-known “State of the Union” address that President Obama will deliver later this month,the purpose of the event is for the Governor to lay out his vision for the upcoming year.…
Articles Posted in Elder Law
New York Nursing Homes Receive Failing Grade
Senior citizens rely on experienced and trusted assisted living facilities to provide premier living conditions staffed with professional associates to provide the best medical and personal elder care. More than one-and-a-half million Americans live in nursing homes throughout the country, so that makes for many in search of quality assisted…
Don’t Let Qualifying for Medicaid Force You Into Poverty
If a New York senior is in immediate need of close, skilled, long-term care and lacks the resources to pay the (quite high) fees for such care are out of pocket, then the only recourse is usually the New York Medicaid system. But far too many residents fail to appreciate…
The Challenges of Dementia Care Around the Holidays
This time of the year generates mixed emotions for many New Yorkers. November and December are filled with many holiday celebrations, from Thanksgiving and Christmas to Hanukkah and New Years. There are work parties, gift exchanges, light displays, television specials, and more. Many local families have deep memories associated with…
Understanding Legal Capacity in New York
New York elder law attorneys work with local families on a range of issues affecting seniors. Most notable among these is assistance arranging long-term care for seniors with physical and mental challenges. This frequently requires use of the Medicaid system, which itself comes with “spend down” requirements and other complications.…
Huguette Clark Estate Sues New York Hospital for Exploitation
Just when it seemed that the years-long New York estate battle related to the heiress Huguette Clark was over, another chapter develops. Last week the NY Daily News reported on a lawsuit filed by Clark’s estate against Beth Israel hospital over claims that administrators at the facility exploited the elder…
New Tech Tools Changing Elder Care
The look and feel of elder care in the United States is changing. In the distant past, most care was provided by friends and family members at their own homes. Later, larger facilities (nursing homes) were built to provide more consistent care to all seniors, especially those without options for…
Be Aware of Trust Fund Theft At Nursing Homes
Most fears about moving into a nursing home concern abuse and neglect. After living independent lives on one’s own, it is easy to understand why seniors may wish to avoid moving into a facility where they will rely on others (strangers) for day to day aid. Unfortunately, beyond the physical,…
Understanding “Specialty” Trusts
Many New Yorkers remain unfamiliar with the benefit and flexibility of using trusts to plan for the future and protect assets in the present. Trusts can prove useful for all residents, including most middle class families. In our work with estate planning, we often help set up basic living trusts…
Stepping in to Prevent Elder Self-Neglect
Elder neglect is a concern for all New York families. When conducting long-term care planning, at the forefront of many minds is ensuring one does not end up in a poor care facility that is prone to abuse and mistreatment. With so many horror stories coming out of some nursing…